Is Olympic Pride a Bad Thing?

As I was doing some Bible study today, I came across a passage of Old Testament scripture that I don't often read.  It made me consider the topic of national pride.  I've always been a patriotic American, but is national pride always a good thing?  As I watch the Olympic games and smugly react when America leads other countries in medals, I have to step back and think about my attitude.

The prophet Hosea spoke to the nation of Israel about 750 BC or so during the northern kingdom's “golden era”.  Hosea spoke these words about Israel on behalf of God:

Hosea 13:6 (NIV)   When I fed them, they were satisfied;  when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.     

Israel had become wealthy and seemingly self-sufficient.  The nation had experienced the favor of God and had forgotten him.  As Israel prospered, the people wanted to be like the nations around them.  They forgot who and what had made them distinctive.  They came to believe that they had somehow earned their wealth and position strictly through their own efforts.  They spent their time in self-indulgence, self-focus and debauchery like the people around them.  They lost touch with an understanding of the providence of God that their forefathers venerated when their nation was established.

I see many parallels between ancient Israel and America as a nation today.  Our country which was founded by people who originally understood its uniqueness to be due to the favor of God has become satisfied.  After centuries of struggle, we became prosperous and without need.  With our great wealth and accomplishments, America became arrogant.  We projected power to every corner of the earth and looked down condescendingly upon the nations around us.  We have come to believe that we have earned our position in the world by nothing more than our inherent superiority.  Now America, like Israel, has become proud in the unhealthiest sense of that word.

These words of Hosea could have been written directly for America.  We have forgotten the God who blessed us with a country.  We have neglected to show appreciation for what we have been given.  We now mock and deride those who try, like the prophet Hosea, to point out our loss of focus on God.  Our cultural elite now find obedience to God to be passé.  Collectively as a nation, America doesn't fear God.  We want to emulate the most destructive lifestyles of the "progressive" nations around us, and we even lead in many disgraceful areas.  Do we think that God would punish the pride of his chosen people, Israel, and wink at the national narcissism of America?

Just like ancient Israel, we have recreated God in the way we wish him to be.  We mix in a little of that idea and a bit of this philosophy, blend in some religious talk and wind up proud and self-sufficient.  The prophet Hosea wrote to tell Israel of God’s displeasure and of coming disaster.   He told Israel that although they seemed to be on top of the world, God had already judged them and that his destruction of their pride was already certain.  I wonder if Hosea would say anything different to America if he were around today.  Sadly, I fear not.

As I watch the Olympics, mock Russian competence, condescend over American medals, and speak of American exceptionalism, I have to step back and consider:  do I have the right kind of American pride?  Am I proud of the country because it reflects God's blessing and his character, or am I somehow appropriating national pride to elevate myself.  I suspect Hosea would cut me no slack.  I suspect he would cut America no slack.  Maybe it's time we re-ground ourselves in what patriotism is all about.