Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Consequences of Forgetting God
How did America become the most solvent, most free, most generous nation on the planet? And why is that changing? Until more recent politically correct eras, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind as to who was behind America’s success – God blessed America to the extent that she employed His principles. If God was behind our success, then why do His blessing seem to wane?
· Sing about His blessings
· Etch quotes about God on their government buildings
· Include the Bible in their children’s education
· Take time each week to attend corporate worship
· Declare a national day of prayer
· Take time to begin school days and congressional sessions with prayer
An objective look at history reveals that America used to unashamedly:
· Include God in their pledges and oaths· Sing about His blessings
· Etch quotes about God on their government buildings
· Include the Bible in their children’s education
· Take time each week to attend corporate worship
· Declare a national day of prayer
· Take time to begin school days and congressional sessions with prayer
Unfortunately, it appears that America has forgotten God. In doing so we have inspired our citizens to “forget” those things that accompany a God-awareness, such as: decency, morality, temperance, respect and gratefulness. Many have missed the connection, because there is a delayed reaction between abandoning God and the fruit of that mistake. This is not unlike the delayed reaction between overspending and eventually becoming bankrupt. At first it seems like you’re getting away with it, then it must be propped up, but eventually it falls apart. Like a homeowner that ignores termites, an employee who ignores pink slips, or a consumer who ignores mounting credit card debt, or a parent that ignores the rift between them and their children – life has a way of catching up.
America’s social and economic woes have been a long time coming. Believers have been waving red flags for decades. This is not about nationalism or feelings of superiority over other countries; this is about being wise enough to live life by the principles God laid out for us. I would that the whole world would obey God and have abundant life. I pray for success in every nation. I pray that all men, everywhere, would discover the benefits of remembering God.
One of the oldest books in the world said it like this: “For we were born but yesterday and know so little; our days here on earth are as transient as shadows. But the wisdom of the past will teach you. The experience of others will speak to you, reminding you that those who forget God have no hope. They are like rushes without any mire to grow in; or grass without water to keep it alive. Suddenly it begins to wither, even before it is cut. A man without God is trusting in a spider's web. Everything he counts on will collapse. If he counts on his home for security, it won't last. At dawn he seems so strong and virile, like a green plant; his branches spread across the garden. His roots are in the stream, down among the stones. But when he disappears, he isn't even missed! That is all he can look forward to! And others spring up from the earth to replace him! But look! God will not cast away a good man, nor prosper evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” (Job 8:9-19 TLB)
The solution is simple – remember God. Recognize that He is King of kings and Lord of Lords. Obey the rules that He gave us; rules that were designed to make us succeed as individual, as families and as nations. There are wonderful consequences for those who remember God.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The Book For Everyone
Slavery is sometimes rightly referred to as a scourge on America’s history. The good news is that although the atrocious practice of human slavery is still practiced throughout the world, it is no longer legal in America. Its back was broken in our nation and both slaves and masters learned how to create a better, free world.
One of the books that was highly influential in getting people to think differently about slavery in America was Uncle Tom’s Cabin. It was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, a minister’s daughter who was born in Connecticut. 10,000 copies sold in the first week and 300,000 in the first year. It was eventually translated into 37 languages.
In his introduction to the book Alfred Kazin described Stowe’s passion as: “A moral passion that in the book is the most powerful antagonist of slavery and one that so worked on people’s feelings from 1852 to the end of the Civil War that no other single book can be said to have contributed so much to the end of slavery.” But Kazin said something else concerning the book and its role in the civil rights movement that stood out like a sore thumb. He said, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin is one of the most famous books in the world. It is so famous that people are capable of describing someone as an ‘Uncle Tom’ or a ‘Simon Legree,’ even of snickering at the death of ‘Little Eva,’ without altogether remembering that they have, in fact, never read Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
Why would people like the idea of freeing slaves but not take time to read one of the most influential books on the subject? Here’s one possibility: During 60s many good people wanted to address equal rights, but some were also buying into poisonous notions that were surfacing in our country -- such as the one expressed in the preposterous statement “God is dead.” I have a sneaking suspicion that people were not encouraged to read Uncle Tom’s Cabin because some activists were willing to confess the evils of slavery but they were not willing to recognize what Stowe emphasized(i.e. the Bible had the power to transform both the slaves and their masters). Her book underscores the role Christianity had in breaking slavery. She shows how some Christians didn’t get it, but that those who were willing to be Biblical Christians became agents of change and helped to break the hold slavery had on America.
Everyone owes it to themselves to read Stowe’s masterpiece. They will be moved by Uncle Tom who was symbolic of Jesus Christ who rose above evil in the world by loving his persecutors. Her book demonstrates how the power of true love and true Christianity can change lives. I would contend that the power of her book was sourced in the power of the Book that was so precious to Uncle Tom – The Holy Bible. The Bible is a book that can teach the oppressor as well as the oppressed. It is a book for everyone, and it will can change your world and make you free!
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