I'M SO CONFUSED!

Scripture for the day: Isaiah 9:16 For those who guide this people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are confused.

Thought for the day: Yesterday I took great pains to utter discouraging words that no one wants to hear. I’d really rather focus on only the positive, but the positive can only come from an unblinking assessment of things as they really are. Yesterday we looked briefly at the awful sin of pride into which our country, and more destructively our churches, has fallen. We as individuals, we as groups, and we as a nation have become prideful in all things, to our own destruction.

But wait! There’s more! Not only have we allowed pride to permeate nearly every aspect of our lives, I have never seen a time when America has been pulled in so many directions. Every politician finds his or her way to the nearest microphone with the purpose of promising utopia if only we will vote for that person or party. Every group now demands their “rights” no matter what others may need or want; regardless of the value of their cause. Anyone who dares to disagree is instantly labeled as evil and attacked until they are destroyed or they capitulate and agree with the group. No debate is allowed; no difference of opinion is tolerated. If you dare disagree with a political position, any political position, you are immediately labeled as racist, bigoted, being a hater, or worse. If you don’t believe me, think for a few moments about this most recent fiasco, the Covid pandemic. No one who has dared disagree with the prevailing story line constructed by those in positions of leadership has been debated; not one. They have all been silenced and labeled as anything and everything evil. Never has America been so confused as she is today.

Poor leadership breeds anarchy and discontent. I watched as a group of congressmen staged a sit-in in Congress because they didn’t get their way on some social issue. My heart breaks as I see people who were elected to lead in the best interests of our country, spend the vast majority of their time promoting their own one-sided view of life or pandering to every group that knocks on their big oaken door. My faith is attacked as I watch so many faith leaders hop in bed with whichever politician promises them the most. And I ache inside because I so seldom see anyone crying out for the soul of our nation.

Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, put our dilemma this way: “We are involved in nothing less than a civil war of values – a collision between two ways of seeing life. This is not an issue of two alternatives from which to choose, but a life and death struggle. One value system is going to predominate. One is going to rule the country.” Dr. Dobson was right.

The bad news is that America has launched herself on a trajectory that can only lead to destruction. The good news is that God hasn’t abandoned America; not yet. The good news is, for you and me and for the church, God has never brought judgment without warning. He has never simply stood to the side and watched as people self-destructed. The warning signs are there today; whether or not we are in a position to recognize them and respond as He demands is the question that remains.

Tomorrow, I want to share with you what I think are some of the warning signs God is providing for us. For today, just so we don’t get too discouraged, let me leave you with this: “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).

Now go take on your world. - Bill