Friday, July 4, 2014

CREEPING TOWARD CATASTROPHE

From My Perspective - - - 

The United States of America has long been known and seen as “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” It is a nation that has sung with meaning and conviction: “America, America, God shed His grace on thee…” and “God Bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her with a light in the night from above…” The 1st President of the United States, George Washington, concluded his first inaugural address in 1789 with these words: “Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the Human Race in humble supplication that, since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend.” Approximately 115 years later, the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, spoke of this nation and said: “Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”

In June 2014, the Pew Research Poll summarized the State of the Nation with this terse heading: “Americans Believe U.S. Standing in the World Is Waning.” Some of the basis for the Headline includes the following: “On the eve of our nation's Fourth of July celebration, our patriotic belief in our national superiority, our exceptionalism in the world, is waning. Worse still, more than three-fourths of Americans believe that corruption in their government is widespread, a figure that charts the impact of the last few years of administrative scandals that have combined to taint public opinion against Washington. A study released by the Pew Research Center found that 58 percent of Americans describe the United States as one of the greatest countries. Just 28 percent say we stand above all other countries in the world, a benchmark that has dropped 10 percentage points since the last time the poll was taken in 2011, The Washington Post reported.” One Poll indicates that 44% of those polled are proud to be Americans and only 28% believe this nation is exceptional in the world. As a result, the United States now ranks 36th among 120 nations in satisfaction.

When the Psalmist looked at his world, he framed a question in prayer, Psalm 11:2-3, “…the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” In a day of increased terrorism, this question is applicable in our day. Another factor that needs to be considered is the overall plan of God for His world and His purpose. In Proverbs 21:1, “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will.” The MSG paraphrase is: “Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; he directs it to whatever ends he chooses.” Lastly, we see in Proverbs 14:34 the basic and real need of the nation and each individual: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Theodore Roosevelt also stated: “To educate a person in the mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society…Knowing what's right doesn't mean much unless you do what's right…In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.” 

What is the right, wise and best thing our nation and citizenry should do today? To another nation the Lord sent this message (II Chronicles 7:13-14 MSG): “If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health.” Consider these things with me.

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