Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance. Psalm 33:12 (NIV)
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. Proverbs 14:34 (NIV)
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. John Adams, 2nd President of the United States
As we approach July 4, we look forward to cookouts, fireworks, and gatherings with family and friends. On Independence Day, we commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776. In this declaration, the thirteen colonies (North Carolina being one of them) stated that they were no longer subject to King George III of Great Britain, but were now united, free, and independent states.
We will often hear our politicians end a speech with the phrase, “May God Bless the United States of America”. It is good that they say this. We, as one of the greatest nations in the history of the world, owe a debt of gratitude to our Creator for the myriad ways in which He has blessed us. The writers of the Declaration of Independence closed with these words, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
The question that rolls around in my mind is “Will God continue to bless America?” Better stated, “Can God continue to bless America?” If the answer to these questions is Yes, then the follow up question becomes, “For how long?”.
As much as I would like this to be a positive message about all of the good that is present in America, I feel more led this July 4 to step into the shoes of the Prophets of old to issue a warning to my dearly beloved country. When I say that I love this country, I truly and sincerely mean it. Tears still come to my eyes when I say the pledge of allegiance, hear the Star-Spangled Banner, or see those beautiful colors (red, white, and blue) of Old Glory, the flag of the United States of America. I fear, however, that if we as a nation continue on our current trajectory of moral and spiritual decline that we will be studied in the future in the same way as the Roman Empire. Great nations and empires that once, but no longer exist, at least not in their present form.
I sincerely believe that we as a nation are in trouble if we don’t return to God’s ways and God’s standards as revealed in God’s book, the Bible. We are in desperate need of revival in our churches and another great spiritual awakening in our communities. This is our only hope to turn the tide of immorality, selfishness, greed, and materialism that threatens to consume us as a people. God will not be mocked, and He will certainly not be mocked for long. A nation will eventually reap what it has sown.
I began with a quote from our second President, John Adams. Now, I would like to close with another most wise and sobering thought from him.
Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. John Adams
Pray for your nation as if its future depends on it, because it truly does. Be the Christian that God wants you to be so that others may come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Get involved. Vote for political candidates who are moral, ethical and will govern in a way that brings Glory to God and abundant good for the people. Be the salt and light that God has called you to be so that your life and words can be a catalyst for revival and spiritual awakening.
And as I close, I would be remiss if I did not say…. May God Bless you, and May God Bless the United States of America!
Mark