"SALVATION BELONGS TO JEHOVAH"

"National anthems are expressions of patriotic feeling and often include an invocation for divine guidance and protection of the people and their rulers," says the Encyclopedia Americana.

A national anthem is, in effect, a hymn or a prayer in behalf of a nation. It usually asks that the nation experience material prosperity and long duration. Should true Christians join in such prayerful sentiments?

The prophet Jeremiah lived among people who professed to serve God. Yet, Jehovah commanded him: "Do not pray in behalf of this people, neither raise in their behalf an entreating cry or a prayer not beseech me, for I shall not be listening to you." (Jeremiah 7:16; 11:14; 14:11) Why was Jeremiah given this command? Because their society was permeated with stealing, murdering the committing of adultery, false swearing and idolatry. -Jeremiah 7:9.

Jesus Christ set a precedent when he said: "I make request, not concerning the world, but concerning those you have given me." (John 17:9) The Scriptures say that the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one" and "is passing away." (1 John 2:17; 5:19) How, then, can true Christians conscientiously pray for the prosperity and longevity of such a system? Of course, not all national anthems include petitions to God. "The sentiments of national anthems vary," says the Encyclopedia Britannica, "from prayers for the monarch to allusions to nationally important battles or uprisings . . .to expressions of patriotic feeling." But can those who seek to please God actually exult over the wars and revolutions of any nation? Concerning true worshiper, Isaiah foretold: 'They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears." (Isaiah 2:4) "Though we walk in the flesh," wrote the apostle Paul, "we do not wage warfare according to what we are in the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly." -2 Corinthians 10:3, 4. National anthems often express feelings of national pride or superiority.

This outlook has no Scriptural basis. In his speech on the Areopagus, the apostle Paul said: "{Jehovah God] made out of one man every nation of men, to dwell upon the entire surface of the earth." (Acts 17:26) "God is not partial," stated the apostle Peter, "but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him." -Acts 10:34, 35. Because of their understanding of the Bible, many make a personal decision to refrain from participating in the flag salute and in the singing of patriotic songs. But how do they conduct themselves when confronted with situations that being them face-to-face with these issues?

Next time: Refrain Respectfully

Watchtower, 2002