I want to share hope with you because Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." The truth about America is that one day it will crumble just as all other great empires have throughout history. Countries and empires, like humans, are not immortal. They have a lifespan, a beginning and an end. Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall for Balshazzar, “you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.” America has cut deeply into the heart of God by making provision for horrendous sin among her people.
Our hope is found in the fact that we might delay his judgment. American Christians are like desperate men bailing water out of a sinking ship. We cannot prevent his judgment but perhaps we might delay it. There has always been a remnant of believers in every fallen civilization. Elijah the prophet had that ‘all alone’ feeling when he stood at Mt. Carmel and declared ““I am the only one of the LORD’s prophets left…” (1 Kings 18:22) In times of discouragement God’s people often feel they are all alone. This is not true. God would later assure Elijah that he was NOT alone, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal” (1 Kings 19:18) Christian, who weeps for America, you are not alone. There is a remnant of millions who weep with you.
We believe we might delay God’s judgment because we know that he is “not willing that any should perish.” (2 Peter 3:9)
God has always preceded his judgment with an unfathomable mercy. God raised up Queen Esther for such a time as this. He used her to save her people from evil Haman. God sent Joseph into the land of Egypt where he was used to make preparations to save his family from the coming famine. God provided for the promotion of Daniel in the King’s court so that he would be in a position to prepare for the exile of his people to Babylon. God will extend his hand of mercy through the voices faithful to his calling.
What must we do?
1. Live right. "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself" (Daniel 1?8) It's not enough to simply know right from wrong. You must purpose in your heart not to defile yourselves with the sin of the culture.
Before you sit down at the computer…
Before you take that test…
Before you go out on a hot date…
Before you sit down to complete your income tax…
Before you turn on the television… purpose in your heart that you will not defile yourself.
Dwight Moody was visiting Britain in 1872 and he met a young evangelist named Henry Varley. As they sat on a park bench in Dublin, Varley remarked to Moody, "Moody, the world has yet to see what God will do with a man that is fully consecrated to him." For four days Moody contemplated those words. They burned a hole in his heart and he could not escape them. He thought to himself, " With the help of the Holy Spirit, I'll be that man."
Purpose in your heart…By God's grace, “I'm not going to sin.”
b. We must pray.
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Let us not pray for laws to make abortion illegal, let us pray that the hearts of people will be changed so they no longer seek abortion.
Let us not pray for more laws to make pornography illegal, but let us pray that the hearts of people will be changed so that pornography will go out of business due to lack of interest.
Let us not pray for laws to legislate morality, let us pray for a people who are moral not because of man's laws written in a book, but because of God's laws written on their hearts.
c. We must let our light shine. The truth about America is that our culture has become exceedingly corrupt and sinful. It is not something we should be depressed about. consider it as an opportunity to let your light shine.
When I bought my wife's wedding ring I went into Shane's of Atlanta and looked at all the thousands of rings. It was overwhelming. But the salesman brought out a diamond and put in on a black velvet background. Wow! It was brilliant.
Our opportunity is to live the Christian life on the blackened background of a sinful culture. Your life will shine brilliantly for Christ's glory.
Works Cited:
1. Political Unrest in America - Kevin Swanson
2. Spiritual Decline of a Nation - Donna Kazenske
3. A Bankrupt Nation - Gerald Flury
4. When a Nation Implodes - Dr. Robert Jeffress
5. National Judgment - Russ Sukhia
6. What's Ahead for America - Ron Comfort
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