TWILIGHT OF A NATION

 

Righteousness exalts a nation,

But sin is a reproach to any people.  (Proverbs 14:34)

The sunlight of truth is sinking low, and the shadows of evil deepen.  Although there are political, social, financial, and international concerns for America, the gravest peril is the spiritual darkness falling across the land.  Many Americans have an increasing unease—even the non-religious acknowledging something is wrong.  For those who are Bible believers, the danger is clear and imminent, for we understand the warning of Scripture, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”  (Ps.9:17)  America has forgotten God—the Creator who called us into being, the Provider who has blessed us, the Defender who has shielded us—even now fighting against Him. 

That is futile, of course.  The landscape of history is strewn with the wreckage of proud nations that arose with great pomp, ruled with great pride, and then were destroyed because they did not acknowledge the source of their strength.  It is folly to think these United States will be any different.  The glimmer of hope is that the Gospel is still being preached, and God’s church is still present, and spiritual awakening might yet raise us from the sickbed before the disease becomes terminal.  God makes dead bones live!

The twilight of a nation comes through IGNORANCE.  Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  (John 8:32)  If freedom is lost, it is that we are ignorant concerning the foundation, form, and function of our government.  This country was founded by people who—in many cases—fleeing religious tyranny in order to find freedom to worship.  The very laws upon which this nation was established were rooted in Biblical principles.  The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights.”  Deny the Creator and we have no basis for those rights.

The twilight of a nation issues from IDOLATRY.  Man will worship someone or something—for we are all religious in heart.  Even those who claim to be atheists deify the secular.  It is unavoidable.  An unholy trinity of false gods comprise the pantheon of idols in America today—pride, pleasure, and possessions.  Pride is the religion of humanism.  Its doctrine proclaims the self-sufficiency of man.  Pleasure is the religion of hedonism.  Its tenet is, “If it feels good, do it!”  Possessions become the religion of materialism.  Its creed teaches that life is found in the abundance of wealth.

The twilight of a nation grows with INDIFFERENCE.  The people of God are meant to be salt and light.  We are sentries posted on the wall to sound a warning.  Yet, for most, there is a shocking indifference toward iniquity.  Rather than influencing the world, the world influences the church.  Ezekiel warns that if we are silent the blood will be on our hands.  May the church grow a spine, and speak the truth in love, but please speak up!  One pastor, martyred for his stand against the Nazis, challenges us, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless.  Not to speak is to speak.  Not to act is to act.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)