The Iron Pen #107

On August 22, 1787, George Mason (1725–1792), Father of the Bill of Rights, made this statement during the debates of the Constitutional Convention – "As Nations cannot be rewarded or punished in the next world, they must be in this. By an inevitable chain of causes and effects, Providence punishes national sins, by national calamities."

Is God judging America? That is a sobering question to ponder is it not? However, I think Christians need to wrestle with that question. I believe we need to ask and answer three more questions. They are – 1) Why does God bless a nation? 2) Why does God judge a nation? 3) Is America exempt from the principles that God has laid down in His Word?

I would suggest that our readers search the Scriptures and answer these questions. Here is a brief outline of what I have discovered in my own study. First, in answer to why does God bless a nation; God blesses people and nations who keep his Commandments and Precepts and live righteously. Psalms 106:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. See also Psalm 33:12. Second, in answer to why does God judge a nation; God judges nations that do not fear Him and keep His commandments. Psalm 2 makes it clear that nations that rebel against Him, He holds in contempt. Then, verse 9 says, "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Further, consider the principles set forth in 2 Kings 17:12-20. Lastly, what is the answer to is America exempt from the principles that God has laid down in His Word? I would simply say NO! For the last 50-75 years generations of Americans have been sowing evolutionism, secular humanism, relativism, amorality, immorality, abortion, homosexuality, political correctness, hedonism and multiculturalism into the culture. The harvest from that seed has been growing up and now we are beginning to reap the harvest as Galatians 6:7-8 says.

I will conclude this brief article by making a statement and asking a question. My statement; America has not replaced Israel. But, I do believe that Bible passages that refer to Israel often establish clear principles that are relevant in other situations. I believe that the Scriptures I have referenced apply, in principle, to our nation. I do know this, Proverbs 14:34, speaking to any nation says, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." Now to my question; Is God Judging America? Christians live for the Lord and pray that our nation will return to being a God fearing nation.

(Taken from The Ram’s Horn, Feb. 19, 1898)

One day the Swiss Reformer Felix Neff walking in Lausanne when he saw at a distance a man whom he took for one of his friends. He ran to catch up with him and tapped him on the shoulder before looking him in the face and asked him, "What is the state of your soul, my friend?" The stranger turned to Neff and saw it was not his friend. He apologized and went on his way.

About four years after the incident a person came to visit Neff one day and said he was indebted to him for his kindness. Neff, did not recognize the man, and asked him to elaborate. The stranger explained, "Have you forgotten the unknown person, whose shoulder you touched in the street in Lausanne, asking him, "What is the state of your soul?" He went on to say, "That was me: your question led me to do some serious thinking, and now I find it is well with my soul."

We do not know, this side of Heaven, how a few words for the Lord may be used of God to accomplish great good.

The story is told of two men who were driving to a little town they had never been to before. One said, "I like to see where I am going. This faith you Christians talk about is unreasonable and ridiculous." As they approached the fork on the rural road they were traveling they feared they were lost. There were no gas stations or even houses around to ask for a clarification in directions. As they got closer to the fork in the road they saw an old, weathered sign pointing to the right, giving the name of the town they were looking for saying it was one mile down the road. The Christian said to the man riding with him, "What shall we do?" The unsaved passenger said, "follow the sign, of course." The Christian responded, "but wouldn’t that be walking by faith, just what you criticized Christians for doing?" "No!" the man exclaimed, "Because the sign clearly says the town is just one mile down the road to the right." "You are right," said the Christian, "but the Bible is just like that sign, and in it we read about the way to Heaven. We don’t see Heaven any more than you see the town from this fork in the road. Our faith in the Bible and what it says about how to get to Heaven is just like your faith in the road sign. We take the testimony of that which we read in regard to that which is invisible."