PROPHET OR PESSIMIST

From My Perspective - - -

The day after the recent U.S. Election there was no shortage of analysts and critics who felt a need to defend their predictions that failed or what the hopeless state of the nation is destined to be or become. One editorial offering on this subject was written by Cal Thomas – “Prepare For Four More Years Of Decline.” In his column, he writes: “Great nations and proud empires have always collapsed from within before they were conquered from without.” He allows that the President’s “re-election mirrors the self-indulgent, greedy and envious nation we are rapidly becoming. The central message coming out of the election seems to be that we are no longer the America of our Founders, or even the America that existed during World War II, which produced our ‘greatest generation.’ Instead, the election validates the enormous cultural shift that has been taking place since the 1960s, when a counter-cultural bomb was dropped on society, producing moral fallout that continues to this day.” Is the writer a Prophet or a Pessimist?

His reference to “since the 1960s” there was an observable “cultural shift” and “cultural-bomb” and “moral fallout” cannot be denied. One area he points to is: “Young people are taught in public schools, at major universities, on television and in movies, that every life choice is acceptable and every tenet open to interpretation. In politics, some proclaim it is right to oppose the successful and envy the rich to the point where they must be denigrated and penalized for their success with higher taxes. No one has to be personally responsible. No education; no motivation; no life plan? No problem. The government will take care of you.” He points to: “Other signs of cultural decay are accepted with little notice. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40 percent of babies born in America are born to unmarried women. Shrug. Abortion clinics continue to operate. Yawn. There is no longer any cultural corrective because we have abandoned the concept of objective truth. Nothing is right or wrong, because that suggests a standard by which right and wrong might be defined. Personal choice is the new ‘standard,’ which is no standard at all. One might as well develop individual weights and measures.” Is the writer a Prophet or a Pessimist?

His impression and persuasion is: “Politicians bid for votes, making promises they can't keep to voters who will believe anything, as long as it appeals to greed, envy and their sense of entitlement. This undermines our culture. This fuels our massive debt, weakening our economic power and America's standing in the world. Standards used to be defined and mostly accepted, if not universally practiced. Many grew out of religious principles. According to a recent Pew poll, a growing number of people, especially young people, no longer believe in God or religion. In this, and in our increasing flirtation with socialism, America is becoming more like Europe. Government seems to be replacing God as the only acceptable ‘deity’.” Is the writer a Prophet or a Pessimist?

In Deuteronomy 8:1-20, The Lord states specifics to Israel and sets fixed parameters for them as a nation. Some of what the Lord said is:  “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest…when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage…you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God.”

What was true for Israel is also true for nations today. We too easily forget Malachi 3:6, “I am the Lord God, I change not.” Hebrews 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” One can ignore or disparage these words but they do so to their peril. Psalm 9:17 reminds one that, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” The New Living Translation renders this text: “The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.” Is our nation ignoring God? Yes!  Is our nation in peril? Yes!  Do you care?  Consider these things with me!