America Is At A Spiritual Crossroad

I recently came across a photo on Facebook that was very telling. President Trump was praying with his U.S. Supreme Court nominee and his family. What a contrast to what is happening in our culture. Prayer is going on in the White House while rioting is occurring on the streets of America.  However one feels about Trump, the fact is that he is seeking God’s help in restoring peace and order to this nation.

In his inaugural address the president said, “The Bible tells us how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.”  Evidently, those involved in destructive and disruptive demonstrations didn’t care to tune in.

The president said some things at the annual prayer breakfast that are strong indicators of his reliance upon God. He is truly seeking to help lead this nation back to the spiritual roots upon which it was founded. Here are some excerpts:

“In towns all across our land it’s plain to see what we easily forget…that the quality of our lives is not defined by our material success, but by our spiritual success.” (This is quite a statement to be made by one who is extremely successful and wealthy.)

“For us here in Washington, we must never, ever stop asking God for the wisdom to serve the public according to his will.”

All of this is in contrast to the protests, destructive demonstrations, and dog-headed resistance even by some members of Congress. At every turn we are seeing resistance to what is being done in D.C. In all my 67 years of living in America I have never witnessed such great hostility and hatred toward a president, others in authority like law enforcement, and even toward this nation. This is not surprising because in the words of Bible scholar Hal Lindsey, “we’ve had an additional 40 years  of delusional, anti-American attitudes inculcated in our youth at American colleges and universities.” There is a crisis of rebellion and resistance against laws and authority.

I believe the real battle, though, is one against truth, righteousness, and spirituality. Romans 1:28-32 declares, “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving,unmerciful…” (emphasis mine)

II Timothy 3:1-4 says much the same thing. “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…” (emphasis mine)

All government is ordained by God to accomplish his purposes. One of the chief reasons given in Romans 13:3-4, and I Peter 2:13-16 is the punishment of evil and the praise of righteousness. Both of these passages go so far as to say that there is judgment for those who resist government established by God.

There is a positive side to all of this. Titus 3:1-2 is a reminder “to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.” God has a purpose for America and is using this administration to accomplish it. One may not agree with it. One may not even like it. One thing for sure is that God’s purpose won’t be accomplished through resistance, rebellion, and civil unrest.

We have some very righteous people in the present administration. This does not mean that they are not making mistakes. They are, however, seeking to do the right things for this country. Most importantly of all, they are praying together, seeking God’s wisdom and grace. May we all do the same.

What is something you can do to help move America back to her spiritual foundation? What is one specific way that you can pray for America?