We are like father Abraham in that we looking for a city whose builder and Maker is God (Heb. 11:10). This world is not our home in that we realize that we are just “passing through”. Does that mean that we have no care for the land in which we are living in? The Christian no matter what land he is living in, is to obedient to the laws of the land (Rom. 13:1). Paul had no problem appealing to his Roman citizenship to keep him from being beaten and later on to save his own life. The Jews who were taken captive to Babylon would not be allowed to return for seventy years. What did Jeremiah tell them?
He writes to the Jews in Babylon and tells them to pray for the peace of the city (nation) where God had driven them (Jer. 29:7). If that nation (Babylon) enjoyed peace then they would have peace. Christian are taught to pray for those in authority in order that we might lead quiet and peaceable lives (1Tim. 2:1,2). We have been given many right in this country. Why not pray for her success in order that we might lead quiet and peaceable lives? Our forefathers were taxed without having a voice to oppose the taxation. Those in the colonies were force to allow English soldiers stay in their home without permission. These and other similar things led to our revolution and this country came from those efforts.
God, at different places, caused Israel to set up memorials of one kind or another. Rocks taken from Jordan when Israel crossed over, were set up on the West Bank. Why was that the case? So that in the future if a son asks his father, what do these stones mean, he could tell him. The fact that we have symbols of our pride such as our flag, or memorials of one kind or another is not something to be ashamed of. It reminds us where we came from and can be used to impart to the next generation a pride in that which is right. As Christians we understand that our citizenship is in heaven and all flows from that. Why did Mary and Joseph make a trip to Bethlehem when Mary was great with child? It was the law (taxation) and they obeyed it. Having in pride in one’s heritage is not wrong. Putting that pride above God is.