As I sit here closing out another chapter of life and anticipating the futuristic-sounding year of 2020, several things work on me. It’s interesting how perceptions have changed since 2000 about what’s considered relevant and important. Where there was a general consensus, even in media, of common denominators like feel-good stories, self-sacrifice, love of country, and honor there is now obsessive concern about offending fragile self-esteem with commonly-used but politically incorrect phrases or references. Politics of envy and short-term gain has fractured the country into self-serving class warfare; instead of credible arguments, those misguided attempts at re-engineering people’s core sensibilities look more like a carnival act. Leadership at the legislative level has embraced new generations of permissive and progressive social awareness. Sad that so many were not taught our nation’s founding principles of representative governance and freedom for the individual.
So what? Certainly my reflection isn’t going to solve our nation’s problems. Apparently, by today’s standards, I’m part of the problem. Some say my country is illegitimate; shouldn’t have become a great nation. I wonder how they became so enlightened and decided now, after 243 years, that this should be so? Our nation’s founding was unique in all the world because at the outset, the founding fathers decided that our government would be limited in its authority over the people. There were specific responsibilities for government in the Constitution, all subject to the God-given and inalienable rights of the individual.
Why then, should a nation fail? Let history be a guide. Look at some of the mighty empires of the past. The Babylonians ruled the Middle East for about 400 years. The Roman Empire lasted somewhere around 500 years and the ancient Greek dynasties for 300 years. The Germany of World War II looked unstoppable as it expanded across Europe and North Africa. The Soviet Union grew to 15 republics and one-sixth of the world's land surface. What’s to blame for their demise?
My agnostic friends and those who would argue from a standpoint of mankind is the master of his destiny will be annoyed at my next thought. History has proved, time and again, that a nation's moral condition and its character are linked together. God's moral law applies to nations as well as individuals. The Bible says, "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Galations 6:7). Individuals and nations that “sow” immorality, violence and oppression will not long endure.
I’m not going to sit here and preach. I’m just an observer who happens to be into history. Our Creator will deliver a nation that responds to His warning. In the Old Testament biblical accounts the Israelites faced overwhelming odds by the armies of Moab and Ammon, but the Kingdom of Judah humbled itself and sought God. The king pleaded with the people to trust in God for their victory. They did, and God gave that nation the win. Even two of the great ancient societies of Babylon and Assyria were spared for a time when they acknowledged God and turned away from their arrogance and decadence. And in our own country an amazing plead for unity was given by Benjamin Franklin to the grumbling Continental Congress in the first years of independence in the year 1787:
“Mr. President, the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see
of the truth – that God governs in the affairs of men. If a sparrow
cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an
empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the
scriptures that ‘except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain
they that build it’. I firmly believe this and also believe that without
His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better
than the builders of Babel. We shall be divided by our little partial
local interest, our projects will be confounded and we ourselves shall
become a reproach to future generations.”
I believe that applies today. Even the words by former U.S. Education Secretary William Bennett remind us that there are consequences for a jaded moral compass: "National prosperity, as it happens, is largely dependent on good private character... just as there are enormous financial benefits to moral health, there are enormous financial costs to moral collapse".
It would be wise not to confuse biblical instruction as un-cool or a gentle soul for weakness. There’s so much more to a life well lived than keeping up an image that leads nowhere. Make this New Year a time for action, to stand on principle; to say what you believe and believe what you say. Seek clarity and ditch unsustainable p.c. emotional arguments. This is for real. It’s go time.
“Three-minute exposure; a snapshot of life’s imperfect harmony,” by Stew McAuley.
Encouraging your Christian Worldview.
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