SHAMELESSNESS

I Was Just Thinking About - - -

The cultural changes and dynamics that are occurring are very significant. The nation has gotten so caught up in trends and political correctness that it has lost its moorings in the process. There isn’t much mention made of those things which made the nation great and blest beyond measure. The historical perspective has become blurred and the lessons of the past have essentially been abandoned. The Church, which was once a hallowed place and reverenced as a sanctuary, has abdicated convictions for conveniences. In the craving and drive for acceptance, “Evangelicals” (so-called) have compromised and set aside the moral compass that could guide us through the challenges of the present time. One leading “Evangelical” from Dallas, TX likes to reference his political choice with words such as: “We’re electing a Commander in Chief – not a Pastor in Chief.” He goes on to indicate that tone and language should not be front-burner issues because the objective is to win and achieve victory. He used an analogy about General Patton and World War II and said: “No one cared all that much about the tone and language of Patton – all they cared about was his leading the troops to win the battle.”

During and following World War II, a popular song was written by Irving Berlin as a prayer about and for the nation. It was originally written in 1918 but never published. With the rise of Germany’s militancy, the song was recalled and published in 1938. The opening stanza of God Bless America contains these lyrics: “While the storm clouds gather, Far across the seas…Let us raise out voices, in a solemn Prayer." The Prayer is: "God Bless America, Land that I love! Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above…” The song was sung often and proudly as the nation drifted into conflict with Nazi Germany and Japan, and then echoed after victory had been achieved. 

Where are we today? Do we look to God for anything anymore? Is God even mentioned in the public square in a reverential way? An example of how far we have drifted as a nation, on April 25, 2016, a news story that received very little attention or mention was headlined: “9/11 Memorial Guards Make Kids Stop Singing The National Anthem.” The story stated: “A group of North Carolina middle-school children on a field trip to New York City paused on Friday to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the 9/11 memorial site as a demonstration of respect, but a pair of security guards ordered them to be quiet. You have to stop, one guard reportedly told the student’s teacher.” Why did this take place and why did the guards stop the National Anthem from being sung? The reason given was: “This is considered a public demonstration. The guards insisted the children would have to acquire a permit to be able to complete their song.”

As both patriotism and the Christian religion is being squelched whenever and wherever it can be, the nation drifts more rapidly away from its foundational principles and core values. It reminds one of a day and time when God spoke through His prophet – Jeremiah 8:9-12 (ESV) – and said: “The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them? From the least to the greatest everyone is greedy for unjust gain; from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore, they shall fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the Lord.” 

The application should be obvious. It sounds as though it was a commentary about the present day. The epitaph that could be written about this nation, unless it repents and returns to the Lord, is: “They were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush.” Are we any different than those living in the days of Noah when wickedness was great upon the earth (Genesis 6)? Are we any different than the people in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah who tolerated amoral behavior (Genesis 19)? Are we any different from those about whom it was said, “God gave them up” and “God gave them over” to their lustful and sinful behaviors (Romans 1)? Prayerfully – consider these things with me!