When the lady seated next to me on the airplane discovered I was a minister, she said with great intensity, "Sir, I have a question for you. Is there any hope for America and is there any hope for someone like me?" In her very direct and precise question, she had articulated a concern that many wrestle with in our nation. What does the future hold for us personally and for America?
Our economy is in the tank. Jobs are scarce. The national debt is beyond our ability to comprehend. Immorality is rapidly degrading our culture. Suicide has become one the highest causes of death among college students. Our senior citizens are becoming addicted to gambling at an alarming rate. The future of our health care is very uncertain.
A recent Gallop poll found that 55% of the American people are very pessimistic about the future. A debilitating, desperate despair has gripped many of our citizens. Many have lost all hope. We are reaping the result of our self centered permissiveness and secular culture.
Without question God has exalted and blessed our nation. No other nation has reached our level of wealth, creativity and power. We have enjoyed 237 years of government of the people, for the people and by the people; 237 years of freedom, peace and prosperity; 237 years of divine blessing and protection and 237 years to pursue life, liberty and happiness.
When our founding fathers wrote into the Constitution the separation of Church and State they were simply saying that the State could not establish a State religion. Neither could they dictate when, where and how we must worship.
When our founders faced insurmountable problems they turned to God for wisdom and strength. Our first president, George Washington, immediately following his inauguration led the congress from the Federal Building to St. Paul's chapel for a prayer meeting.
With this type of dependence on God, from our humble beginning, we have reached a standard of living which surpasses that of any other nation in history.
God has blessed this nation in a remarkable way. The wise man, Solomon, said, "Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people." It's not a threat; it's a statement of principle. It's a fact of life. The rise and fall of every great nation is proof of the veracity of Solomon's words.
Tragically our nation has fallen into disgrace. We have turned to our gods of sex, wealth and pleasure. We worship the created rather than the creator. We live as if we don't need God because we have science, knowledge, big bombs and military strength.
It was over fifty years ago that the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional for prayer to be required in our schools. Since that ruling there has been a 75% increase in single parent homes. Violent crime has increased 332%. The divorce rate has increased by 89%. Since Roe vs. Wade we have murdered 53 million unborn babies. Today, one state after another is approving same sex marriage. We are a nation in disgrace.
Thomas Jefferson said, "The chief purpose of government is to protect human life. Abandon that and you have abandoned all." Our founders believed that the value and sanctity of life was self evident.
Unless America turns back to God and experiences a great moral and spiritual awakening our beloved nation is in grave peril of self destruction.
Queen Victoria was right when she handed a Bible to an ambassador from a non-Christian nation and said, "Tell your people that this is the secret of England's greatness."
Is there any hope for America? Absolutely, yes! If we will repent of our sins and turn back to God, there is hope. It is righteousness that exalts a nation, not economic and military might.
In spite of all the doom and gloom I was thankful that I could say to the lady on the airplane, "Yes, I have hope. My hope is not in politicians or the stock market. I base my hope on the solid rock, Christ Jesus." I then assured her that I had read the last chapter in The Book and for the Christ follower, in the end, everything is going to be alright. I was thankful that I could point her to the One who could give her peace and hope.
We have a great promise in 2 Chron., 7:14, "If my people that call themselves by my name will humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land."
