New Zealand National Anthem – a revival hymn

Image by vapourtrails via Flickr

How on Earth could New Zealand be becoming more an more a secular society?

I mean have you read the National Anthem? Have a look…

God of Nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific’s triple star
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.

Men of every creed and race,
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,

“Gather here before thy face… asking Thee to Bless this place.” Wow, no wonder we as a country are falling away from God… we’re not even living the words of our own anthem… our last Prime minister Helen Clarke said we were a secular Nation.

From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our state,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our free land.
Lord of battles in Thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.

Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,

Wow… imagine if we sung this every time we played a sports game… we would have a revival before the game even started.

Give us plenty, give us peace,
God defend our free land.
From dishonour and from shame,
Guard our country’s spotless name,
Crown her with immortal fame,
God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be
Freedom’s ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto Thee,

Instead of focusing on what other countries are doing and what they are into, wouldn’t it be great to be known as the country that had God at the centre of it… I wonder what that would look like?

God defend our free land.
Guide her in the nations’ van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy glorious plan,

New Zealand is becoming more and more violent, and I can’t help but think… wouldn’t it all be different if we preached Love and Truth and looked at advancing Gods kingdom “Thy Glorious plan”?

God defend New Zealand.

Amen to that…