Title: America's Only Hope
Bible Book: Proverbs 14 : 34
Author: Donnie L. Martin
Subject: America; National Repentance; Hope for America
Objective:
Introduction
September 11, 2001 is a day that is not soon to be forgotten by those Americans who still have an ounce of patriotism left in them. It is a day branded into our consciousness by the horrendous events, and vivid scenes of destruction and chaos that leapt from our TV screens. It is a day that very literally fills our hearts with indignation, disgust, and anger. The very thought that a country, or group of individuals, unprovoked, would perpetrate such senseless acts of violence is beyond our understanding.
The mixed bag of feelings and emotions that our nation experienced were to be expected. After all, how does one make sense of such calloused and cold acts of this magnitude, inflicted upon innocent human beings? How does one's mind comprehend the snuffing out of thousands of lives meaninglessly?
Without a doubt, it will take a long time for our nation to heal. But it will heal. One of the things that will foster this national healing is the willingness of our people to seek God in prayer. Though it was encouraging to see our president, and others, call the nation to prayer, it is sad that it took such a terrible tragedy to get people serious about it.
I do not wish to dampen feelings of patriotism today. Nor do I wish to minimize the dastardliness of what has been done to our country. But may I suggest to you today that America must bear part of the responsibility for what has happened. And before you run me out of town on a rail, hear me out.
For years preachers have stood and faithfully proclaimed the truth of God's Word concerning the fact that God judges sin. They have pointed out the depravity of our country, and how far it has departed from God. This preacher himself has commented from a number of pulpits over the years, that if God does not judge America for her sin, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. The fact is folks, God always judges sin; and whether
We like to admit it or not, this attack on America was part of the judgment of God upon this nation, because she has forsaken Him.
I believe that this situation not only needed America's response and retaliation, but also her repentance. America must return to God. America must return to the principles that helped make this nation great. America's only hope is God.
I. Repentance Toward God
A. We Need A Change Of Attitude
Many Americans Seem To Have No Shame When It Comes To Sin
Jeremiah 8:12, "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord."
We should never view our sin casually or flippantly.
Romans 7:12-13, "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful."
Our nation has become extremely flippant about sin, as Rev. Joe Wright stated in his opening prayer before the Kansas Senate. He prayed:
Heavenly Father,
We come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that, We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism, We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery, We have rewarded laziness and called it Welfare, We have killed our unborn and called it choice, We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable, We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem, We have abused power and called it politics, We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition, We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression, We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent: to direct us to the center of Your will and to openly ask these things in the name of Your son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen!
Taken from www.good4asmile.com
B. We Need A Change Of Action
Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."
We read in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
America needs to quit being concerned with political correctness and return to righteousness. Our nation has strayed so far away from God that it's a miracle the disasters of last week haven't happened sooner than they did.
Folks, as long as our nation honors God, God will honor our nation. That's because "righteousness exalteth a nation" (Prov.14: 34). By the same token, when our nation stops honoring God, God will stop honoring our nation.
Last Friday Ann Graham Lotz, Billy Graham's daughter, was on Brian Gumball's show. He asked her the question that is perhaps on a lot of people's minds right now, "Why did God let this happen?" She answered with the following:
Over the last several years the Schools, the Government and the People have asked God to step out of the picture and let man run it. God being a gentleman has done exactly what they have asked and has taken His hand off of these. And until the people invite God back into the Schools, the Government, and in our everyday lives, things like this will continue to happen.
From a forwarded e-mail from [email protected]
C. We Need A Change Of Allegiance
Note 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20, "...ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
Matthew 4:10, "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."
Folks, Americans once again need to pledge their allegiance to the God that brought this nation into being. America needs to focus its national consciousness on God and His righteousness, rather than its rights.
II. Revival From God
A. We Need A Revival Of Thirst For God
Psalm 85:6, "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"
Psalm 42:1-2a, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God..."
We need the kind of thirst for God as described in this true account. Driving up from Beersheba, a combined force of British, Australians and New Zealanders were pressing on the rear of the Turkish retreat over arid desert.The attack outdistanced its water carrying camel train. Water bottles were empty. The sun blazed pitilessly out of a sky where the vultures wheeled expectantly. "Our heads ached," writes Gilbert, "and our eyes became bloodshot and dim in the blinding glare...Our tongues began to swell...Our lips turned a purplish black and burst." Those who dropped out of the column were never seen again, but the desperate force battled on to Sheria. There were Wells at Sheria, and had they been unable to take the place by nightfall, thousands were doomed to die of thirst. "We fought that day," writes Gilbert, "as men fight for their lives. We entered Sheria station on the heels of the retreating Turks. The first objects which met our view were the great stone cisterns full of cold, clear, drinking water. In the still night air the sound of water running into the tanks could be distinctly heard, maddening in its nearness; yet not a man murmured when orders were given for the battalions to fall in, two deep, facing the cisterns."
He then describes the stern priorities: the wounded, those on guard duty, then company by company. It took four hours before the last man had his drink of water, and in all that time they had been standing twenty feet from a low stone wall on the other side of which were thousands of gallons of water.
From an account of the British liberation of Palestine by Major V. Gilbert in The Last Crusade, quoted in Christ's Call To Discipleship, J.M. Boice, Moody, 1986, p. 143.
B. We Need A Revival Of Trust In God
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
The words, "In God We Trust," have been on our coins since 1863. Later, the words became our national motto. It was that sentiment upon which this nation was founded. Our founding fathers realized that our nation's trust in Almighty God would see her through the tough times.
The sad truth is that over the last fifty years or so, America has ceased trusting God, and has placed her trust in gold, goods, technology, and personal resourcefulness. There is nothing wrong with those things. But our nation cannot rely on them, for they are shaky foundations upon which to build.
C. We Need A Revival Of Talking With God
Psalm 18:6a, "In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God..." Psalm 120:1, "In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me."
If ever our nation needed to cry out to God, it is now. Thank God that we have a president with moral character, who has time and again called upon this nation to pray.
Doesn't it seem a little contradictory to you that our government, which has ruled against prayer in our public schools, football games, and other government funded forums, doesn't practice its own rules?
State legislatures, as well as the United States Congress, employ paid chaplains to pray at the opening of all sessions.
Did you know that there is a "Prayer Room" in Congress?
The Supreme Court, the body which ruled against prayer at school football games, opens the court with the words, "God save the United States and this honorable court" (From an e-mail from DeNita Shorrosh dated July 19, 2001).
The same government that has ruled against prayer in schools has mandated a "National Day of Prayer." (36 USC, Section 169 (h)
III. Reliance Upon God
A. We Must Rely Upon His Presence
Psalm 91:1-4, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
B. We Must Rely Upon His Provision
Psalm 24:1, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."
James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
C. We Must Rely Upon His Power
Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Psalm 118:6, 8, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."
Folks, only as this nation turns to God, and relies on Him, can it ever hope to be successful and victorious against its enemies. God has greatly used and blessed this nation. America would do well not to forget that fact.
This poem concerning last week's attack was written by someone identified only as Pat M. I think its thoughts are fitting today.
September 11th, 2001
"September 11, the year 2001,
A day of tragedy in the golden sun.
"Not just one life was shattered and torn. Thousands no longer will be as when born.
"Our country, a place we can be free, Was shattered and torn for all to see.
"Frozen in time, planes crashing, a total of four, Taking lives, heroes, and just folks, forever more.
"But we are Americans, and will fight back Against this evil and horrendous act.
"No one can bury or kill our Nation so strong.
We will rebuild, in steel, concrete, and with song.
"You can't take us down, from land or flights above. We are Americans and will defend this land we love.
"So while we mourn and pray for lives lost,
For heroes trying to save others, no matter the cost,
"We will rebound, and remember to fear us, yes you must, Because we are Americans, on our land and In God We Trust."
By Pat M, taken from http://www.justsaywow.com/newfun4
