Let's get something out of the way right off the bat: I do not for a moment propose that I have the corner on God's current thinking ever, and I certainly don't have the audacity to ever think that I should have it, or that anyone can have such a corner. God is much bigger than an 'entity' that can be 'figured out' by any mere mortal, even if they have theological training, or worse still, their amazing followings, let alone someone like your humble servant. No, what I propose to offer in this short blog is simply this idea. . . Perhaps, if God is upset with America, then I submit that it may not be just about its stance on homosexuality as some independent southern preacher may argue. There's more that could be the cause of God's displeasure.
Let me suggest three other areas where America may be failing to please God. It may have to do with God's "foreign policy" as found in Genesis 12:3 and as spoken to Abram,
"And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse." That sounds pretty clear to me. God is saying to all nations, "Stick with Israel or be cursed." I'm not too sure how anyone can successfully argue with that clarity or intent. The only thing that may be up for debate is whether or not, the United States as currently led by B.O. is in actual fact "cursing Israel". We know it's not "blessing it" or otherwise they would take a much stronger position than they do with respect to Israel's goals for the region currently being fought over. Instead the U.S., while not agreeing to a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian State by the United Nations, is still calling for a "Two-State Solution" to the conflict.
And therein lies the problem. The Bible does not suggest or even make room for a "two-state" solution. Take a look at Jeremiah 12:14-17.
Thus says the Lord concerning all My wicked neighbors who strike at the inheritance (land of Israel) with which I have endowed My people Israel, "Behold I am about to uproot them from their land . . . Then it will come about that if they will really learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, 'As the Lord lives,' even as they taught My people to swear by Baal, then they will be built up in the midst of My people. But if they will not listen, then I will uproot that nation, uproot and destroy it," declares the Lord.
Clearly Jeremiah's writing prescribes that God has in mind a "one-state solution" for Israel with others living inside its borders, provided they learn and accept the way of God's people Israel. That seems to be the only option God has offered and it applies individually to each of those currently 'wicked neighbor' nations. If they don't take up the offer, God says they will be uprooted and destroyed.
And that is why all this current upheaval in the Middle East is so critical to what may happen down the road, as each country has a chance to pursue true democracy versus radical Islam for its chosen path. It's interesting also to note that God is still a little ticked off at the way His people were led astray by those who taught them to worship Baal.
Bill Salus writing recently in
Prophecy, points out that earlier in the chapter, in verse 6, God has also a stern warning for modern-day Israel with respect to the descendants of their ancestral brothers. God says in verse 6,
"For even your brothers and the household of your father, Even they have dealt treacherously with you, Even they have cried aloud after you, Do not believe them, although they may say nice things to you." And I believe Israel is finding that out in spades these days. It must be careful not to be suckered in by sweet words of promise.
So, her position with respect to Israel, and the support that America's liberal constituencies (some politicians, most of the media, almost all of the educational system, and slowly now it seems all its judicial system) communicates and delivers towards Israel's enemies may well be another reason God is not amused or pleased with the United States of America these days.
But I believe there are still at least two more causes for God's likely displeasure. I'll mention one in passing only because it has received a lot, yet at the same time, not quite sufficient, exposure recently. And the is America's attitude towards the taking of life from the womb. American women and some politicians and certainly many left-wing liberals are consumed with the maddening and intoxicating desire to "play God" with respect to human life. (Their subconscious hatred for Jesus and his claims is so strong that they take on the killing of babies in response.) For years, the world has complained that America has done that (play God that is) with its aggressive military actions around the globe. Since that no longer works as well (due to liberalism own pursuits), they seem to have taken up the war cry against innocent fetuses that have no voice of their own, and certainly can't throw back hand grenades. And the world has fallen silent, for the most part. The fact that God most likely has an eternal life escape for each of these babies who get aborted is no reason for anyone to continue this slaughter for which God, who knows each of us from before we were in our mother's womb, is totally against. Isaiah 49:1 says,
"Listen to me, all of you in far-off lands! The LORD called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name." (NLT) If God does that, calls us before we're born, certainly He expects and wants us to be born. The GOP may have given up its social concern about abortions recently in order to keep America from being shut-down and opted simply for budget cuts to do so. But God is not as easily persuaded to forget.
And finally, there's one more area of America's behavior that may very well be the straw that breaks America's back as far as God is concerned. It certainly was for Sodom and Gomorrah -- and no, it's not about homosexuality (I've already covered that above.) Here's what Ezekiel 16:49 had to say about Sodom's sin that caused God to come down and deal with her and her daughter cities:
"Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."(NKJV) Like Sodom of old, America is neglecting its poor and needy, both at home and around the world -- while she lives with pride in what she owns, what she eats, and in her pleasure. Just look around you when you go to church next time -- look at what people wear, what they drive, what they talk about, where they go to vacation when they miss church, and where they're going to eat after church. And then generally quadruple that lifestyle for those outside the church. I think God could very well be ticked off at America for this.
Or anyone of the above. We cannot be blessed by God individually, as a family, as a church, as a nation unless we seriously and boldly address our behaviors in the areas that God has clearly stated His expectations. Until our Christian leaders boldly come out with "faith-based diplomacy" telling the truth until it's accepted or until Christ returns, our path to self-destruction will continue.
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Accord Consulting.
