The Humbling, Slippery Slope

“‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11)

“For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ (Matthew 13:15)

With every passing day I see more similarities between the people of Israel during Jesus’ day and our nation today. I see a people blessed by God beyond measure, possessing the heritage of Christian witness and a structure founded upon biblical principles, but in their affluence, choosing to abandon all that and go after that which would destroy them! “Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols.” (Jeremiah 2:11)

There is a reason why our nation has prospered above all others for so long under a single constitution: Whether knowingly or unknowingly, our society has been structured and abided under the institutions and principles designed by God for the flourishing of society. Walls and safeguards were set in place to protect societies, churches, families, marriages and babies, but should those enclosures be removed by the ignorant or rebellious, we have no reasonable right to continue to expect blessing!

You cannot be unfaithful to your marriage vows and assume that the family will stay together. You cannot change the age-old definition of marriage and anticipate stability in society. You cannot restructure the education system into something godless, devoid of morality, and look forward to upstanding, dutiful citizens! It is, as they say, “putting lipstick on a pig”. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)

The decisions being made by the leadership in our nation will not end well, for most. Decisions made not to enforce border security and deter crime, decisions made to “borrow and spend” trillions of dollars that we do not have, and decisions made to fundamentally alter the religious backbone of our land, will have severe repercussions down the road. Those at fault for putting self above the people who elected them may have “safety and security” for a time, but they too will have to answer to God, who clearly laid out His design for them. In fact, they will have no answer to give Him on that Day.

It will only “end well” for those who by faith in God, trust that Romans 8:28 is true for them: “And we know that in all things Godworks for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I return again to G. K. Chesterton, who wrote these words about the Christian faith, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”

Our society is on a slippery slope towards hell. God has annointed and appointed those who profess His Name to proclaim the only Hope they have: a complete repentance and turning to Christ Jesus. Then we are to biblically lead and guide them back up this rough trek to the place of restored blessing. The damage has been done, and countless lives are hurting. Many are crying out in anger at the wrong things. With all the negativity, expressed hopelessness, suicidal tendencies, and presumed meaninglessness, we have unprecedented opportunities to shine the light of Christ in 2023! Show them WHY His way matters! Show them WHERE to find hope, peace, and meaning! Show them WHO has the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68)

In the meantime, how should we pray for our nation? Psalm 80 has a heartfelt cry for those of us struggling for words to say: “Return to us, O God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted, the son you have raised up for yourself. Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at your rebuke your people perish. Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself. Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” (Psalm 80:14-19)