KEEP WATCH
Dialing 911
"Hope and Change" is useless unless our hope is in the Lord
By Jim Allen
In an 1838 speech by Lincoln in Springfield Illinois he said the end to our great nation could never come from without but only from within. Lincoln must have been speaking prophetically when he said, "It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide." [1]
Is America trying to commit suicide? Some think so:
Daily, we face the accelerating deterioration of our society, the escalating loss of religious and personal freedoms, and the suffocating fear and anxiety caused by the onrush of the end of the age. The Bible says that in the last days anxiety and dread will reach such proportions that men's hearts will fail them for fear when they see what is coming on the earth. While Christians are not exempt from this anxiety, they have the power to rule over fear. [2]A good deal of anxiety is coming from the increasing number of government scandals ripping at the very fabric of America. The scandals are many and span multiple administrations. These scandals range from the IRS targeting conservatives for their political beliefs to the lack of medical care by the VA for veterans. Most recent is the humanitarian crisis on the U.S./Mexican border that is also a national security issue, a dreadful scandal with national consequences.
PBS Newshour reports unknown criminal operatives (with government connections in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador) are telling and compelling refugees that if they can get to America they can stay because the US is not tough enough on enforcing its immigration laws. [1]
What kind of people would unashamedly misinform and expose young women and children (from central America) to the perils of traveling the very same paths used by drug cartels, sex traffickers, gang members, Middle East terrorists, and all manner of sexual deviants and ruthless criminals?" Worse yet, many die on the way to America and there is no guarantee they can stay.
American courts define the "state of mind" of these kinds of people* as "depraved indifference." It's a legal term and it means they know exactly what they are doing and do exactly what they want without any sense of wrong doing or remorse (Romans 1:28-31). In addition to the exploitation of young and innocent undocumented immigrants, the American people are also victims in this border crisis when families, friends, and community are exposed to crime, communicable diseases, and increased financial burdens not seen in this country since the first half of the twentieth century.
The Book of Revelation tells of a time when the future will become dark, foreboding, and ruled by these kinds of people with evil resolve. This present hour of uncertainty — awashed in misinformation and corruption — is pounding on the doorway of every heart for entry. The sole purpose of uncertainty is to replace faith with fear and hope with despair. This persistent anxiety from not knowing what is coming next is a burden many feel too burdensome to carry.
Can anything be done to stem the tide of wanton destruction in America? Should anything be done? Our land was once strong and thriving under the banner of "In God we Trust!" Some say our land is now weak and dying under the banner of "Yes we Can!"
Does God have anything to say about what is happening in America? If so, what is He saying and what must we do to save her? God said that those who reject Truth (the written and living Word of God) are rejecting Him; and because they have He will reject them and their children (Hosea 4:6). But, God is merciful and will heal our land if we will humble ourselves, pray, repent, and seek His face (2 Chronicles 7:14).
What are the odds America will wake up in time to humble herself? After 9/11 there was a brief time of religious fervor followed by prayer and increased patriotism; but, it faded over time. Most have gone back to their worldly ways of greed and depravity. Worse yet, many churches have lost their light (Revelation 2:1–7) and crumble under the weight of their own wantonness and fabricated gospels.
The nation of Israel went through similar cycles of warning and judgment followed by repentance and restoration. But in 70 AD God withdrew His protection for the last time and the nation fell into enemy hands, losing its national autonomy for more than 1800 years (Matthew 24).
Lincoln, I am sure, endured many sleepless nights thinking about answers to difficult questions. And, the questions of our time are equally pressing. Assuredly Lincoln prayed and knew that if Christ was the author and finisher of his faith (Hebrews 12:2), then men without Christ would undoubtedly be the author and finisher of their wanton destruction. Is this what we are witnessing in America? I think so.
In closing, the Bible has a 911 number you can dial at any time. Psalm 91 is a direct line to God, 24/7, as is all scripture but this one especially. Verse 1 begins with this promise, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
The literal meaning in the first verse is the psalmist's earnest desire for those who trust in God to know they abide under His endearing promise of kindness and eternal protection. While the phrase "shadow of the Most High God" is figurative, it conveys the literal meaning of protection. What is more, Psalm 91 is powerful. It has sixteen verses. Each verse is unique and rich in promises of safe keeping and reassurance regardless of what is going on around us.
His watchful eye follows the believer to and fro to the end of time (Psalm 121:8). Resolve in your heart to believe it so. You will be blessed!
Note: The Bible instructs Christians to pray for their leaders and petition God to protect and give them wisdom to lead this great nation (1 Timothy 2:1-3), but now more urgently for them to correctly handle the growing crisis at the U.S./Mexican border.
* "Kind(s)" of people is a phrase, for the purpose of this article, describing depraved people that have decided to place political and criminal agendas before the personal safety and wellbeing of innocent women and children.
1. http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/the-perpetuation-of-our-political-institutions/
2. The Hall Lindsey Report; 1/1/2013
3. Tobia, P.J.; "No country for lost kids"
Image Credit: Lee D. Baker; "Lincoln Memorial; Creative Commons
Tags: Controversial-Issues | Current-Issues | Political-Issues | Sin-Evil
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Published 7-23-14
