The culture does not determine the actions of every individual. The culture is the character of the society. A character is who it is known. For example, a person may tell a lie but be known by telling his truthfulness. One lie doesn't change his character. His character is how he is known. One action will harm his character but will not destroy it. Many actions, however, will create the character of the person. So, what I am about to say does not apply to everyone but it does apply to the culture we are in.
We are living in an increasingly blatant immoral world. Sins which existed but were unsaid are being promoted. People do not know what a marriage is. They don't know what a family is. They don't know what is right and wrong. They believe it is an obligation of the government to take away from the rich to give the poor. They believe that any crime can be committed as long as the one committing it has enough power to pay his way out of the consequences. They esteem the most immoral people as idols. They have forgotten God and His righteousness.
So, what does the future hold? Can anyone expect God to protect a nation which has so forgotten Him? Let's look at some biblical history.
Judges 2:10-11 (ESV)
10
And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.
11
And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals.
Joshua died and the generation which went with him to take the Promised Land. The "third" generation did not know the Lord nor did they know the work the Lord had done. I believe that's where we are. Most of the people in our culture do not know the Lord nor do they know of His works. Therefore, they do not stand for righteousness because they see everything righteous as a set of arcane rules which no longer apply. Churches which try to follow the culture are agreeing with the culture. They are quickly removing God's standards in order to call themselves relevant to the world. They will enforce a generation which neither knows the Lord nor knows His works.
We have no reason to believe that we will suffer anything other than the Lord has caused to happen in the past.
Judges 2:14-15 (ESV)
14
So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies.
15
Whenever they marched out, the hand of the Lord was against them for harm, as the Lord had warned, and as the Lord had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress.
Every nation which had the following characteristics has fallen: A crisis of lawlessness, loss of economic discipline, rising bureaucracy, a decline in education, a weakening of cultural foundations, a loss of respect for traditions, an increase in materialism, a rise in immorality, a decay of religious belief and the devaluing of human life. (Why Nations Die, Jim Nelson Black, Tyndale House Publishers, 1994) Would you say we have these characteristics?
This would mean that we are on the brink of destruction. Our forefathers decided that we would trust in God. America identified with Him so much that it was placed on the currency to prove we didn't trust in money. We wanted to be a people called by His name. He has certainly blessed America but I don't see why He would continue to do so.
I am praying that God will send a revival before this nation falls. I am praying that believers will spend a part of each day committing their lives to Him. I am praying for believers to repent and fully commit themselves to the Lord. I am praying that I, too, will do all these things and seek His face. I am praying that God will raise up spiritual leaders to turn this nation toward Himself once again.
There is hope as long as there are prayers. Hope comes from believers who will stop holding back from God. Hope comes when believers will let go of the things of this world which keep them from the Lord. Hope comes when believers repent so fully that they walk with the Lord. Hope comes from a walk that springs from a desire on the inside. That desire comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit.
When the character of our nation becomes godly, God will heal our land. We won't be perfect. In fact, we will see ourselves less perfect than we ever have. Not everyone will comply either. There will still be sinfulness but it will no longer be promoted and accepted.
Evil is making a strong push right now. The best way to resist it is to draw near to God. Draw nearer than you ever have before. The need for a God-sent revival has never been greater and there has never been one without a praying people. Will you join me in prayer?
4 comments:
Over the few years that I have followed your blog, I have noted your heart for your nation. I can still remember you wrote about the ills in the nation, especially when they hit the headlines. I believe I have commented on a few of them, two things worth repeating of my comments:
1. Indeed, your nation needs believers like yourself who would bend the knees and intercede for your nation.
You have written a very good entry. Going by your use of the accounts in Scripture to describe the state of affairs of your nation, I believe, like what I believe, you believe America in her early years was of Christian character, if I may use the word, character on a nation. As you have explained, character shows, and impacts. So, in the early days, outflows from the Christian character showed up in the nation's constitution, laws, and as you have pointed out, in the coins, and later the dollar notes (in God we trust). In some of the major crises, like the Civil War and even 911 disaster, your people refocused on God. But sadly, as you pointed out, over times, and increasingly, apart from the crises times, many people drew the line between the state and The Faith. Even your courts reduced "in God we trust" to patriotic slogan of ceremonial character! The present generation denies the character of their forefathers, and that is bad.
But when we study the history of Israel and the ways of God in His dealing with His people, even as He has always preserved a remnant for Israel, I believe He too, has preserved a remnant for America. The remnant will be the catalyst for revival. The remnant will seek The Lord, pray and intercede, and some of the individuals will be given by God, the Issachar spirit - individuals who have the understanding of times (1 Ch 12:32), to know what America should do! Until revival comes, you are right, the faithfuls pray and intercede, and pray and intercede, and pray and intercede.
2. America, as the big brother to many nations, including Singapore, what is happening in her, impacts other nations. If I may use the phrase, "all the funny things" from your end, because they are accepted at your end, they just try to force their way to us. Examples included LGBT. America's endorsement of same sex marriages is going to make it hard for other nations to keep this out of their land.
It is already an uphill task to get ourselves to pray for our own nation, we have to pray for our neighboring countries, and then we have to pray for America! On this account, my score is probably in the single digit! I have only gotten to the level of regular prayers for myself, my immediate family, my extended family, people I felt God would like me to intercede for, the people I promised I will pray for, my ministry, and the church I attend. My country, neighboring countries, countries in crises, these are prayed for, irregularly. Oops, shame on me.
But I am noting matters that are of faith significance on the local scene; and I try to stand up and be counted (like resisting improper promotion of same sex issues). Some "ills" have made onshore here, sadly; eg. legalized casino gambling, major LGBT event. I believe LGBT activists have sunk their roots here already.
Anthony Chia, high.expressions
On the 'eve of destruction'? Next thing you'll be singing Barry McGuire...!
Very true, though.
New Zealand has recently changed it's definition of marriage to include same sex couples...the Human Right's Commission is being complained to, to prevent our Bible in Schools programme from running during school hours...more than our share of earthquakes and natural disasters recently...the list goes on.
An old Christian friend used to say to me that the end will come in my generation. I'm inclined to agree with him. Red flags are popping up everywhere, and the momentum is accelerating.
This is bad, but good news for us!
I pray for my nation by also praying for myself. I pray that I might be made clean. I am not better than anyone. It doesn't matter what their lifestyle is. I can't make God love me more. I can't make Him love me less. He paid the same price for me as He did anyone else. That price is much too high for me to be moved but never changed. Somehow that change in me will prompt God to change those around me. I am the one who needs to be humble, pray, turn away from sin and seek His face.
We continue on to grow in our faith, hope and love, perseverant-ly, and through it all, we know Him more and more, and share in His will and desire to have men saved, and so, even as we are mindful of our hope of glory, we share in the work of bringing the same to others still without it, and we encourage those who have (believers) to stay steadfast in faih and continue to love The Lord the way he has revealed in Scripture.
Such statements in Scripture like "many would take the broad road and wide gate leading to .....hell", and signs of time, are given us, NOT so that we can now "just care for ourselves and hide in some caves to sit it out"; in other words, NOT for us to just bask in grace. Revelation or knowing (of time) is for us to act appropriately. Think about this.
What is the appropriate things for you and I to do, in this time and season, that we know? While it is still day, what must we do?
Anthony Chia, high.expressions
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