When people talk about “one nation under God,” the conversation often jumps straight to politics, patriotism, or personal conviction. But the Bible gives us a very different starting point. Scripture never teaches that any modern nation can become God’s covenant people. Yet it does teach that every nation is already under God’s authority — not because of a ceremony or a rededication, but because God is the Creator and Judge of all the earth.

So the real question isn’t whether a nation is “under God.” According to the Bible, the real question is whether a nation’s justice aligns with God’s character.

From the earliest pages of Scripture to the final visions of Revelation, God evaluates nations by how they treat people — especially the vulnerable, the powerless, and the oppressed. That’s the biblical pattern.

This isn’t about assigning blame or scoring political points. It’s about giving readers a biblical framework so you can discern for yourselves where we stand — and what it would look like to move closer to God’s heart for justice.

What prompted this look at U.S. as one nation under God?

It has to do with an event: Rededicate 250: National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving, scheduled for May 17th.

✏️ Join with neighbors and friends from every state in the Union in giving thanks and praise to God for 250 years of His Providence for the United States, in praying that God Bless and Protect America for the next 250 years, and in solemnly rededicating our country as One Nation under God. In speech, song, and storytelling, we will bear witness to the extraordinary story of how God has powerfully and wondrously shaped the United States of America—remembering the people, sacrifices, and defining moments in which God has powerfully manifested Himself in our history. 

— Rededicate 250: National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving ¹https://freedom250.org/events-calendar/rededicate-250-a-jubilee-of-prayer-praise-and-thanksgiving

Here are some excerpts from an msn news article ²https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/trump-announces-event-to-rededicate-america-as-one-nation-under-god/ar-AA1VKWG6:

“We’re going to rededicate America as one nation under God”

Trump in his remarks boasted of returning religion back to the center of American politics and culture, emphasizing efforts to support prayer in school, policies targeting transgender people and the creation of a White House faith office, among other actions.

The prayer event is designed to give “thanks and praise to God for 250 years of His Providence for the United States, in praying that God Bless and Protect America for the next 250 years,” according to a description on the Freedom250 ³https://freedom250.org/events-calendar/rededicate-250-a-jubilee-of-prayer-praise-and-thanksgiving website.

“In speech, song, and storytelling, we will bear witness to the extraordinary story of how God has powerfully and wondrously shaped the United States of America—remembering the people, sacrifices, and defining moments in which God has powerfully manifested Himself in our history,” it says. “This is more than an event — it is a once in a lifetime national moment.”

That’s all well and good. It’s advertising for an event. But for Christians, the real question should be related to how we, as a country and as individuals, are measuring up to God’s expectations for a country that wants to follow His ways.

To that end, the next article excerpt seems to raise some questions about the debate that’s as old as our country: separation of church and state.

Most of America’s founders were affiliated with Christian dominations. Yet the U.S. Constitution has a principle of separation between church and state, as outlined in the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over another.

That’s what was said by people working on the celebration> Let’s see how it lines up with what God requires of those who would follow Him.

What makes a nation “under God”?

As it turns out, from a Christian point of view – all nations are under God. The image at the top implies that. It’s easy to think, well – of course we’re all “under God” because God’s in Heaven, which is above us. But that’s not what I mean. Nor is it what the image actually portrays.

The dove as the Spirit of God:

The reason I chose the dove for the image was this passage:

Certainly, that passage should resonate with anyone who claims to be Christian. We say we want to be “Christi like”. Not like we’ll ever make it, but we try.

But here’s something about that passage. Something that relates to us. God loves everyone. Every person ever born – and who will be born. And we’re part of His creation. The prize part of His creation.

And yet, the part about “with him I am well pleased” – that’s conditional. Yes, God loves all of us. But He’s not necessarily pleased with all of us. Too many people, including too many Christians, don’t understand that concept”. Deciding to follow Jesus, then becoming more like Him is part of God being pleased with us.

The Spirit of God hovering over the earth:

I also chose the dove because of this passage – the very beginnings of the earth we live on:

So, we see that for Christians, the Spirit of God is on Jesus. And, going back to the beginning, we see the Spirit of God over the earth even before it was fully formed.

Jesus – the first and the last

Further, if it’s even needed, we read this in Revelation – the last book in the Bible.

And now we see Jesus as the first and the last – the beginning and the end.

And we reach the inevitable conclusion when we realize it also says: “and I will give to everyone according to what he has done”.

Jesus, the Son of God, is over all nations. Every nation on the face of the earth is automatically a “nation under God”. There’s nothing to do to attain that status. It’s just a reality of life on the planet God created. In the universe God created. In fact, there’s no escaping the reality that every country is a nation under God. Even if they don’t acknowledge it, it’s just the way it is.

Every person is “under God”

What we should see, at least Christians should, is that God truly does matter. If we claim to be Christians, then we must do something we all know – our will, our desires, must be in alignment with what God wants. Not the other way around.

To the extent we refuse to do that, we put ourselves over God. We recreate God in our image. And then we become displeased with God when He doesn’t do what we want.

Try to put yourself in His place then. Imagine how the One who actually created you, planned the best life for you, created everything you see for you – imagine how He feels when we put ourselves over Him. Do we really think He’s going to be pleased with us when we do that?

Now, from the personal, we can move on to the national. We have people under God. And then we claim we are a nation under God.

I urge you, reflect on this thought as you read the next part. If we put ourselves above God, our desires over His, do you really think God considers us a nation under God?

God’s authority over nations

I realize I don’t normally put a lot of Bible passages on this site, but in this case, I think they’re essential. We hear statements about things like rededicating America to be one nation under God. But how can we determine the validity of claims made surrounding that claimed goal?

Honestly, this is going to be too complex to truly cover it in one article. I also have the task of explaining it to those who aren’t familiar with the topics to be covered – and still make it interesting for those of you who are aware of even parts of what’s coming.

To that end, I’m going to break it down into small segments. Then you can pick and choose which ones you want to read. You can always go back and pick up something you skipped. Plus – as they’re published, I’ll put links in the outline below to help you navigate through all of it.

At this time, here’s what I expect to cover:

I. All Nations Are Already Under God

• God is the Creator and Judge of all nations.
• No nation earns this status; it’s simply reality.
• OT: God raises up and brings down nations (Isaiah 40:15; Daniel 2:21).
• NT: All authority is accountable to God (Romans 13:1–4).
• This is not covenant identity — it’s universal sovereignty.

II. Only Israel Was Ever God’s Covenant Nation

• Exodus 19:5–6 — Israel is God’s “treasured possession… a holy nation.”
• No other nation receives this identity.
• NT: The Church becomes the “holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9), not any political state.

III. The Biblical Standard for All Other Nations: Justice

A. God judges nations for injustice

• Amos 1–2 — violence, cruelty, exploitation.
• Isaiah 13–23 — arrogance, oppression, idolatry.
• Jeremiah 46–51 — corruption, violence, pride.
• Jonah — Nineveh spared because it repented of violence.

B. God blesses nations that pursue justice

• Proverbs 14:34 — “Righteousness exalts a nation.”
• Psalm 72 — the ideal ruler protects the poor and crushes the oppressor.
• Micah 6:8 — do justice, love mercy, walk humbly.

C. NT continuity

• Governments are legitimate only when they reward good and restrain evil (Romans 13).
• Nations become “beasts” when they claim divine authority (Revelation 13).
• God desires nations to seek Him (Acts 17:26–27).

IV. Where Are We Today? (Questions, Not Conclusions)

A. How do we treat the vulnerable?

• Children, elderly, poor, immigrants, disabled, marginalized.

B. Do our systems reward honesty or corruption?

• Transparency, accountability, truthfulness.

C. Do we restrain violence or normalize it?

• In speech, policy, culture, and law.

D. Do we repent when injustice is exposed?

• Or do we deny, deflect, or double down?

E. Do we worship power?

• Wealth, nationalism, political identity, military strength.

V. What Would a Biblical “Rededication” Actually Require?

A biblical rededication might look like:

• Repentance from injustice
• Humility instead of national pride
• Protection of the vulnerable
• Truthfulness in public life
• Restraint of violence
• Fairness in law and economics
• Rejecting idolatry of power, party, or nation
• Leaders who serve, not dominate

VI. Invitation to Discernment

If we want to talk about being “one nation under God,” the Bible gives us a simple starting point: justice. Not the justice of one political tribe or another, but the justice God Himself defines. The question isn’t whether God is on our side. The question is whether we are willing to align ourselves with His.

Footnotes:

• 1
  https://freedom250.org/events-calendar/rededicate-250-a-jubilee-of-prayer-praise-and-thanksgiving
• 2
  https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/trump-announces-event-to-rededicate-america-as-one-nation-under-god/ar-AA1VKWG6
• 3
  https://freedom250.org/events-calendar/rededicate-250-a-jubilee-of-prayer-praise-and-thanksgiving