A 4th of July thought...

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance." Psalm 33:12 (NIV)

In many ways I see a similarity between our United States of America and the ancient Hebrew nations of Judah and Israel. I'm thinking specifically of the kings of Judah and Israel, from Saul to Zedekiah, over the course of several centuries (approx. 1025 BC - 586 BC).   Many of the kings led their people in detestable practices such as idol worship, sexual immorality, and even sacrificing children to pagan gods. When these awful things occurred, God's anger slowly burned and the nations eventually felt His wrath. Those kings who led their people in righteousness, however, found favor in God's eyes, bringing peace and prosperity to their kingdoms. [Read all about it in 1, 2 Kings, 1, 2 Chronicles]

Although we don't have kings, we do have leaders who have been elected and entrusted to guide us. How they govern sets an example that permeates the very core of our culture. The laws they create, interpret and enforce also bring consequences upon our nation; good or bad. We can call it whatever we want, but truth is truth and no amount of rationalization for decisions considered "politically correct" will change God's timeless, perfect, unchangeable law.

Our founding fathers had a vision for a nation that honored and served God. In fact, they realized that without God, it would be pointless to even attempt to govern.   Look at these statements from John Adams, our second president, and just one of the like-minded signers of the Declaration of Independence.

"The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. . . . Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

It's not difficult for me to see, as our nation slips ever farther away from the Christian values and principles upon which our foundation was laid, that the privilege we've enjoyed as a God Blessed nation will continue to crumble.   But, there is hope! Just as with the ancient Hebrew nations, God will return His favor to those nations who realize their errors and call on His name for forgiveness and redemption.

Steve <><