A Nation’s Greatest National Resource?

‘What is a nation’s greatest national resource?’

A voice posed this question to me in a recent dream. My mind immediately flagged its natural resources (including water sources and types), its people and its climate. Other people in the dream concluded the same. Afterward, I was given a ‘higher’ answer, one I would not have normally classified as a ‘national resource’.

The word, ‘resource’, is defined as ‘a source of supply, support, or aid, especially one that can be readily drawn upon when needed’. I summarize this as ‘a readily available supply source that supports and aids’. Given this, it stands to reason that the ‘greatest’ things that meet this requirement might well be renewable resources. Any non-renewable resource that has a fixed quantity or life (e.g., Saudi oil fields) might eventually be trumped by a renewable resource, at least in terms of life span and, in some cases, possibly value.

Components of the word are ‘re’, which means again, back or repetitive, and the word ‘source’, which means origin or anything or place from which something comes, arises, or is obtained. Hence re-source suggests repetitive returning to a source or origin.

Our world is replete with nations that are well endowed with natural resources, many people and good climate, but these ‘resources’ may not necessarily be ‘supply sources that support or aid’, either due to lack of requisite investments, access, poor governance systems, corruption, etc. Hence, that which, on the surface, appears to be its greatest national resource, may not be effectively ‘resourceful’ in aiding.

This prompts the question whether there may be resources that trump such natural resources, i.e., greater renewables that effectively fit the definitions above. A nation’s greatest national resource must be the renewable one to which it holds fast, is resourcefully accessed, and that literally trumps all of its other resources, natural or otherwise. Given the vast array of socio-economic issues that impact resourcefulness, I honestly know of NO natural resource that meets this qualification. The answer to the original question, therefore, must point to something much higher than ‘natural’. It must point to something ‘spiritual’, something intangible. Some nations may cite their culture(s), their history, or possibly their ‘can do’ outlook on any challenge that comes.

The answer given to me in the dream is the favor of our Creator, generally understood as His Grace. I would have never classified this as a ‘great national resource’, ever, so this answer caused me to think more deeply. In God’s great love, He freely extends to all persons, peoples….and nations, His unlimited, unmerited, renewable, and seemingly inexhaustible Grace.* This ‘resource’ fits the above definition in that, in so many ways, it trumps all other would-be resources. Why/how? Well, it is without cost in our highly cost-conscious world, and accessing it requires no complex structural or organizational hoops through which to jump. Grace to a nation is ‘there for the asking….and for appreciating both it and the Giver’.

One line in the song, America the Beautiful, captures this concept: America! America! God shed His Grace on thee. Though mired in their own personal sins, and partaking in America’s national sins (such as land theft, slavery, rebellion, etc.), founders of the colonies and country reportedly ‘asked’ for God’s Grace, and He bountifully responded! And for a L-O-N-G time, we as a people generally held onto this request, and benefited accordingly. Other nations may have similar histories.

God is the GREATEST of all things, natural or spiritual, and His greatness is extended earthward in the form of Grace favor. If/as nations recognize and embrace this Truth, issues related to things ‘natural’ will become more resourceful. When nations refuse to recognize and return to this, the ‘origin’ of all things resourceful, and prioritize things natural over things spiritual, then no amount of natural resources will eventually satisfy or matter. Why?

God calls returning to/recognizing Him – Righteousnes

He calls unrighteousness – Sin

Further, He backs this up by saying, ‘Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach (shame) to any people. (Proverbs 14:34) Mistaking ‘natural resources’ as true ‘national resources’ that tightly fit the above definition, while skipping over ‘The Source/Origin’ is any nation’s downfall.

A nations greatest national resource

must necessarily be God’s Grace Favor!

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* I say 'seemingly inexhaustible' because Grace is extended for such lengthy periods relative to human life spans. Beware! Don't be fooled, God's Grade does have an 'expiration date' if Grace never results in genuine repentance!!! (See: Jeremiah 9:23-24)