Today I am like many in that I am pondering the future of our great nation. Regardless of what the liberals claim, America was founded upon biblical principles. Our founding fathers believed in the Lord and were committed to seeking Him in prayer and guidance. They were well aware that God had provided the strength and resources needed to become a free nation. They were unashamed in their acknowledgement of the Lord, as well as their dependence upon Him.
For generations God was given His rightful place in society. Worship of the Lord and study of His Word were encouraged, not shunned or mocked. That is not to say that all were believers, but America was a Christian nation without apology.
Somewhere in our recent past we began to drift from the foundation upon which we were built. Society became less tolerant of public displays that represented the Lord or any reference to His Word. The leadership in America began to give into the voices of the minority, further limiting the mention of Jesus Christ in the public setting. Rather than looking to the Bible for wisdom and the Lord for direction, they became increasingly influenced by the philosophies of the so called great minds of the modern era.
We may choose to deny it, but the church is not completely innocent in this spiritual departure either. It seems that we have slowly given into the voices as well. Many today are unwilling to take a biblical stand for fear of offending someone that doesn't share that view. Worship of the Lord has been traded for an attempt to please society and fill the pews. We have traded the glory and power of God in a futile effort to appeal to an increasingly godless society. Preachers and pastors have also fallen prey to this line of thinking. The truth of the Gospel and the depravity of mankind is no longer heard from the average pulpit in America. Many are preaching in an effort to appease the audience rather than glorifying the Lord and pointing lost sinners to Him. Rather than being a beneficial influence on the world, we have allowed the world to become a detrimental influence on the church.
There is no doubt that we are in the midst of some very difficult times. It seems as if everyone has found someone to blame our troubles on. (Sadly we never look within; we always place the blame somewhere else.) Many feel as if they know what the solution is and who would best lead us out of this mess, particularly in an election year such as this one.
I know that my views are in an increasingly smaller minority, but I firmly believe that the Lord has given America the desires of her heart. She has rejected Him in every way imaginable, and even in some that are unthinkable, and God has given us what we want. One of the greatest forms of judgment is to allow a people to have what they want. The problem is, most of the time when they get what they wanted, they realize what they wanted was not what they needed. When we get what we want, will we want what we got? I sincerely doubt that we will.
Consider Psalm 106: 13-15
They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: [14] But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. [15] And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
This is in reference to the wilderness wanderings. God had blessed them, leading them toward the Promised Land, providing all their needs, and yet they were unhappy. They forgot the Lord, refused to heed His counsel, and lusted for the things that pleased the flesh. God granted their request, but it came at a heavy price. He sent leanness to their souls. They traded the power of God for pleasure. I am certain they didn't want what they requested when they got it, but it was too late.
I fear that we too are facing the same scenario. Many have an idea of what their perfect world would be, but it will be far from what they really want when they get it. We need to get earnest with the Lord, completely committed to Him, and seek His face for direction and healing in our land. I fear if we don't soon seek the Lord, judgment will come.
Preacher Chris
For generations God was given His rightful place in society. Worship of the Lord and study of His Word were encouraged, not shunned or mocked. That is not to say that all were believers, but America was a Christian nation without apology.
Somewhere in our recent past we began to drift from the foundation upon which we were built. Society became less tolerant of public displays that represented the Lord or any reference to His Word. The leadership in America began to give into the voices of the minority, further limiting the mention of Jesus Christ in the public setting. Rather than looking to the Bible for wisdom and the Lord for direction, they became increasingly influenced by the philosophies of the so called great minds of the modern era.
We may choose to deny it, but the church is not completely innocent in this spiritual departure either. It seems that we have slowly given into the voices as well. Many today are unwilling to take a biblical stand for fear of offending someone that doesn't share that view. Worship of the Lord has been traded for an attempt to please society and fill the pews. We have traded the glory and power of God in a futile effort to appeal to an increasingly godless society. Preachers and pastors have also fallen prey to this line of thinking. The truth of the Gospel and the depravity of mankind is no longer heard from the average pulpit in America. Many are preaching in an effort to appease the audience rather than glorifying the Lord and pointing lost sinners to Him. Rather than being a beneficial influence on the world, we have allowed the world to become a detrimental influence on the church.
There is no doubt that we are in the midst of some very difficult times. It seems as if everyone has found someone to blame our troubles on. (Sadly we never look within; we always place the blame somewhere else.) Many feel as if they know what the solution is and who would best lead us out of this mess, particularly in an election year such as this one.
I know that my views are in an increasingly smaller minority, but I firmly believe that the Lord has given America the desires of her heart. She has rejected Him in every way imaginable, and even in some that are unthinkable, and God has given us what we want. One of the greatest forms of judgment is to allow a people to have what they want. The problem is, most of the time when they get what they wanted, they realize what they wanted was not what they needed. When we get what we want, will we want what we got? I sincerely doubt that we will.
Consider Psalm 106: 13-15
They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: [14] But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. [15] And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
This is in reference to the wilderness wanderings. God had blessed them, leading them toward the Promised Land, providing all their needs, and yet they were unhappy. They forgot the Lord, refused to heed His counsel, and lusted for the things that pleased the flesh. God granted their request, but it came at a heavy price. He sent leanness to their souls. They traded the power of God for pleasure. I am certain they didn't want what they requested when they got it, but it was too late.
I fear that we too are facing the same scenario. Many have an idea of what their perfect world would be, but it will be far from what they really want when they get it. We need to get earnest with the Lord, completely committed to Him, and seek His face for direction and healing in our land. I fear if we don't soon seek the Lord, judgment will come.
Preacher Chris