In God Do We Trust?

Our national motto reflects a collective reliance on the One who has established our nation, to whom we should ideally be looking to solve the dilemmas we face. Psalm 143 states:
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.
6 I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah
7 Answer me speedily, O Lord; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.

I would say that most Americans can at least sing some of the words of our National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.  The first stanza.  Well, what about the last one?

The Providence Forum website published those lyrics, including these words:

Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n-rescued land

Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then to conquer we must, when our cause it is just;

And this be our motto, “In God is our trust!”

And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Even though Francis Scott Key included those lyrics in his text, the phrase, "In God We Trust," did not become our national motto officially until 1956.  The CBN.com website notes that the lyrics of the final verse of our National Anthem inspired that motto.  The website notes:

While the motto made its first appearance on U.S. coins in 1864, during the Civil War, it wouldn't be declared the official national motto until much later.

In 1954, the term "under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance. Then in 1955, Congress passed a federal law to require the national motto be printed on all American currency. While it had previously appeared on coins, it was not required.

But it wasn't until July 30, 1956, that Congress passed a bill and President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law, declaring "In God We Trust" as the nation's official motto. It replaced the earlier unofficial Latin motto: "E pluribus unum," which stands for "out of many one."

The law was passed unanimously by Congress requiring the phrase to be printed on all U.S. paper currency in capital letters.

And, fast forward to recent times...CBN.com related:

Over the past few years, a movement has sprung up to remind Americans of our national motto in a variety of settings from public school buildings to law enforcement vehicles.

One of the latest examples is in West Virginia where the legislature voted a few months ago to require state schools to display "In God We Trust."

When asked if the move was constitutional, state Del. Tom Fast told West Virginia Watch, "This is our national motto, 'In God We Trust,' and it has been litigated, and it has been upheld. We can display our national motto in public schools and in our higher education institutions."

The move in West Virginia comes after Louisiana passed a law last year that requires the U.S. national motto to be displayed in every public school classroom. Other states that have adopted similar policies in recent years include Texas and South Dakota.

Historian and commentator William Federer notes that in 1864...

Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase, who Lincoln later appointed Chief Justice, assigned James Pollock, Director of the U.S. Mint, with the task of adding the phrase "In God We Trust" to the two cent coin.

He notes that Pollock replied: "We claim to be a Christian nation -- why should we not vindicate our character by honoring the God of Nations ... Our national coinage should do this. Its legends and devices should declare our trust in God - in Him who is 'King of Kings and Lord of Lords.'"

Pollock also stated, according to Federer:

"The motto suggested, 'God our Trust,' is taken from our National Hymn, the 'Star-Spangled Banner.'

The sentiment is familiar to every citizen of our country -- it has thrilled the hearts and fallen in song from the lips of millions of American Freemen ...

The time for the introduction of this ... is propitious and appropriate. 'Tis an hour of National peril and danger -- an hour when man's strength is weakness -- when our strength and our nation's strength and salvation, must be in the God of Battles and of Nations.

Let us reverently acknowledge his sovereignty, and let our coinage declare our trust in God."

Chase approved the use of the motto and adjust the words to the current, "In God We Trust." It was approved by Congress for one- and two-cent coins, then about a year later for all coins.  

The use of the motto was re-affirmed by Congress in 2006, on the 50th anniversary of its implementation, and its use has been upheld in the courts. 

Someone might say that this motto doesn't mean anything - it's just an empty phrase. I think when you reflect on the history of our nation and the hand of God upon it, dating back to before its foundation, you can gain a great appreciation for those words. 

Personally, can we say that we trust in God?  Do we allow Him to originate our plans, to govern our desires, or do we make our own decisions, with the hope that maybe He'll bless them, and be there when we get into a tight. We have to make sure that we are growing in our faith and reliant on the God who has been faithful to us.