Daily Devotional for Thursday September 20, 2001

God's Judgment

(Deuteronomy 8:19-20)

Much has been made by the media in recent days regarding comments made by Jerry Falwell on Pat Roberson's 700 Club, that what happened last Tuesday was God's judgment on the United States for our sin. Let me be up front and make sure you know that one of the theological degrees I hold is a BA in Biblical Studies from Liberty University, Falwell's school. However, the error Dr. Falwell made was that in making such comments to a general audience, he should have taken the time to set up the theological context in which I am sure he meant them. Also, he should have been very clear that nobody knows the mind of God, but from Scripture, we can be assured of some things. I doubt that the media would have worried about the theological context, or the disclaimer on knowing God's will, but it would have made what he said, in that context, very correct. As a matter of fact, over these past two years, I have said many of those same things in these Devotionals about the sin we have allowed to be part of our daily life here in the United States.

All throughout the Bible, taking the entire counsel of God into consideration, we see clearly that God has given man, His creation, free will to obey Him or rebel. The Bible is also very clear that from obedience flow blessings, and from rebellion flow consequences. This holds true for each of us individually, as well as for nations. Israel is God's chosen people. Yet all throughout the Old Testament we read of how Israel was subject to God's judgment. Why? For their rebellion, for idolatry, for sexual sins, and for putting other things before God. God is a God of grace and a God of love, but God is also a God of judgment. Nobody can know when God says enough is enough and allows His judgment to fall, but we know from Scripture that IT DOES HAPPEN!

Our nation is no different. As we follow God, keep Him first in our lives, strive to serve and glorify Him as a nation, we will reap the blessings of our obedience. However, should we choose to rebel against God, we are then subject to His wrath and His judgment. Especially over the last 40 years, look at what our nation has done. We have taken God out of the schools. We have made a mockery of the family. We have accepted sexual perversion. We have made money and the things of this world our god. We have allowed the Federal Government to legalize the killing of millions and millions of innocent lives. How long do we honestly think that we can allow this in our nation, things that are in absolute rebellion to God, and expect Him to sit by and continue to bless us? God is a God of mercy, but to challenge God's mercy is foolish, since He is also, very clearly, a God of judgment who will not be mocked.

Let me say, as Dr. Falwell should have emphatically said in his comments, There is NO WAY to know if what happened last Tuesday was a demonstration of God's judgment on this nation. To say so, is irresponsible. However, it is not only correct, but VERY RESPONSIBLE to say that how we have acted as a nation over the last 40 years is in utter rebellion to God and to think that we do not have to face the consequences of that rebellion at some time is diminishing who God is. We can not continue, as a nation, to simply thumb our nose at God and expect Him not to respond. Israel, God's chosen people, tried it. Actually, they did it over, and over, and over. Read Hebrews 12:5 and 6. I am personally convinced that God loves this nation very much. Otherwise, He would have allowed us to be wiped out as He has so many other nations over the centuries.

I love you and care about you very much. IN addition to all else that is going on, let these tragic events not only be a wake-up call to each of us individually, but also as a nation. We can not continue to rebel against God and expect God not to respond. I pray today that as each one of us realizes our personal responsibilities in these incredible times we are living in, that our nation will realize that we are special to God, loved by God, and should repay that love with our obedience to Him. Through all that is going on, may we pray today that our nation realizes that God is a God of judgment, and we must turn from our evil ways and put Him back on top where He belongs. Read 2 Chronicles 7:14, and let that be your prayer for our great nation today!