Globally, many were impacted by the typical array of wars, threats of war, natural disasters and civil unrest. On a national level, here in the United States we’ve witnessed ongoing economic turmoil and yet another lie-infused presidential election. Other major 2012 headlines included the tragedy of several mass shootings upon US soil, the 2012 Olympics, the profound disappointment of the ho-hum iPhone 5, and what appeared to be flesh eating zombies in Florida (Serious. If you missed that story, look it up on Google and forever stay away from drugs.) Then there was also that end of the world apocalypse that everyone had pretty much forgotten about by the actual appointed doomsday of December 21st.
Congratulations if you’re reading this- you‘ve survived it all. Welcome to the new dawn, early January 2013 where most slates are still wiped clean and hopes and expectations for the new year are still formulating. In honor of the New Year, last weeks Truth Hack interviews recapped on last year and allowed the public to express what they’d like to see accomplished in the United States this year.
“I would like to see the United States bring back more morality and search for better answers to tragedies.“ Danny* told Truth Hack in response to what he would like America to accomplish this year. Danny is just one of many who expressed a growing concern for the declining state of American moral.
“The world right now is too corrupt.” Maggie* stated. “There are too many sins going on and people are blinded (to the corruption.) It’s from our music, to our clothing, to everything. People are just following trends…it‘s getting worse.”
With the sad events of Sandy Hook Elementary less than a month past, and a general public dissatisfaction for the state of politics and the economy widespread, it’s no surprise to come across Americans afraid for future Americans.
“I don’t have any kids yet but ….(with recent events) I’m scared to raise my kids.” Mike* told our journal.
Several people admitted that while many things are happening in America today that they do not agree with, they feel that the circumstances are inevitable.
II Timothy 3:13 says that “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived,” meaning that from a Biblical standpoint the assumption that things can get worse is quite correct. Mankind is sinful by nature and without God he will always turn to things that are unrighteous. The United States was built upon a Godly foundation, but over the centuries and especially in recent decades, there has been a great departure from the principals that brought our founding fathers to first land on Plymouth Rock. Because of their efforts we are all blessed with the freedom to choose or not choose religion, to speak freely, and to hear out the opinions of one another.
In the early days, most of the American society chose God. They chose to put in God we trust, on the dollar bill and one nation under God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Laws were written around Christian principals, and the overall moral and faith of the population was high. America prospered in technology, finance and ultimately world power. This is a direct fulfillment of God’s promise in Leviticus 26:3-6. “If ye walk in my statutes and keep my commandments and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit….and I will give you peace in the land, and ye shall lie down and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.”
Inevitably, just as God’s protection left the Hebrew children when they sinned against Him, it is to be expected that the peace and prosperity of a formerly God-fearing nation dwindles as they turn more and more away from God and to themselves for solutions.
Chris* commented on the state of America in relation to schools and paying respect to God, “I don’t think you can have enough God. The more that you take out the more evil is brought in.”
“As a nation, people have lost sight of what it means to have Godly devotion…. it has to be 100 percent 24 hours 7 days a week. You can‘t just give a little bit and think it will be alright.” Kai* also commented.
While Chris and Kai both feel that God honors those who keep Him in their lives, they are also well aware that everyone has been given a choice to serve or not to serve the King of King and Lord of Lords.
As it’s been repeated many times before, history itself is repetitive. Since the days of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, to the struggles of the Hebrew children, even to modern day America, the story is basically the same: God loves mankind and gives us boundaries to prevent us from falling, but He will not force us to do anything. In the end it’s our vanity that undoes us every time. Humanity is forever tempted to place ourselves over our maker. We grow in our own petty powers and knowledge and rationalize God out of the picture. We turn away from him, and then wonder why things are going wrong. Of course God will not force anyone to love and obey him. The same goes for Christians in the face of non-believers. Forced religion is ungodly, an oxymoron, and we all must make our choice individually.
Right now America continues on a path that is sadly relying more and more upon men and government, and that is a path that has been historically proven to fail. The good news is that even though our country may be doing things that are against God it’s not too late to change the course of things. 1 Chronicles 7:14 says “If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
2013 has barely begun, and anything can happen. Hopefully a year from now things will be better across the face of the United States. Prayerfully, we will have reclaimed our victorious title as “one nation, under God,” and God’s blessing will be restored upon the nation as a whole.
And if not?
Luke 12:37 says “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching…”
God knows those who have remained faithful and true to Him, and they will not be forgotten- especially if they are the only one left standing when so many others have turned away. Don’t be afraid to stand for God in 2013.
Sources: The Bible
AP network news.
Public opinion
* Last names have been omitted to protect privacy.
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