America's Arrogance: Whose Fault?
Daniel Valles 5/15/04 www. informedchristians.com

Every time I see a bumper sticker that says "In God we trust", or "One Nation under God", I cringe and groan inwardly. It is not that I desire that to be true, but that I know the opposite is true. America does not trust in God, and we certainly do not want to be administered under God's commandments and principles. It is rank blasphemy to say this is a Christian nation. This nation may contain true Christians, but it certainly does not exemplify or promote Christian principles. After we kick God out of our schools, off our federal lawns, kill the unborn for over two decades, and actively promote the Hollywood sewers, we still call ourselves Christian?!

As I Christian, my loyalties are to Christ before my nation. I would almost wish I lived in another country, just so my testimony as a Christian would not be laughed at. Granted, I love what freedoms we have left, and have no earthly desire to live elsewhere; but, I do not like to be associated with "American Christians". People in America in mock piety are aghast that the Muslim nations refer to us as "The Great Satan". I'm not shocked. They are observing from an outside perspective. American Christians suffer from hypocrisy. We say we believe the Bible and stand up for it, but we quickly cave in when we hear the words "politically correct", or when we might lose a friend or two. Silence gives consent. If you have not make a definitive, outward stand on abortion, pornography, homosexuality, etc., you are the guilty accompli. Do not act surprised that our country is falling apart. When the watchmen does not warn the city, it falls. When the steward neglects his responsibilities, the house is bankrupted. When the light does not shine, darkness flourishes. When the salt stays in its comfortable container, decay spreads.

In Ezra 9, we find a nation at the brink of public, outward sin meeting judgment from God. Ezra does not pray for God to "heal our land", they did not wave "The Nation chosen by God" flags, or get "In God we trust" stickers placed on everything. They did something America, saturated with power-of-pride, has not done. They repented. This repentance was not just a "I feel sorry for what I did, deal with it", this was a complete change of attitude and change of direction. In 9:3, Ezra is cut to the heart so much with the sin of the people, that he tears off his garments, pulls out his hair and beard, and sat down "astonied." He was appalled, stunned, and stupefied at the extent of his nation's blatant sin. It is interesting to note that there were several others that were gathered with him who also "trembled at the words of the God of Israel." He sat in this state "until the evening sacrifice."

Then he spoke plainly to God: "O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens." He starts his further prayer by admitting that the nation was not "under God", and not trusting in God. Further, he acknowledged that their national sins were "grown up unto the heavens." After he acknowledges all of the grace and mercy that God had shown to their nation in times past, he cried, "and now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments." We. Not they, not our politicians, not our government, not the liberal media, not the democrats, not the republicans - we.

Please read the whole prayer in chapter 9. He concludes by saying in vs. 15, "O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this." Have I ever blushed at our sin? Have I trembled at the Word of God? Have I admitted that I am part of the problem in our nation? Have I recognized that until I repent and change, I cannot stand before God? I. We. "Thou art righteous."

Chapter 10 is where they immediately repented (changed direction), and addressed the problem. Vs 4 describes the urgency that they recognized: "Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it." Do it. Don't let others protest and speak out against abortion, you do it. Don't just let others decry the sodomite influences in our schools and government - you do it. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Several interesting things about the way they handled this are applicable to us. Number one, they helped and encouraged each other to do it (vs. 4 "we also will be with thee"). Secondly, they made a public promise to God that they would obey His word (vs. 5). Thirdly, they acted with zeal. Whoever would not work toward correcting the sin, not only lost all of their substance (vs. 8), but they would also be separated from the congregation.

As Christians, we need to encourage others to do right. Before they start, and definitely after they start. If you see a church or group of Christians peaceably protesting against abortion, pornography, sodomy, etc., join them, or definitely encourage them and tell them you will pray for them. Secondly, make it public before witnesses that you will stand up for what God says. Signs on your house or church lawn can serve as 24/7 reminders that leave little doubt as to where you and your church stand. Thirdly, work with zeal. Do not be part of the problem. If there are those who insist on being quiet and not standing on the Word of God, perhaps you should distance yourself from that person, church, or ministry, or organization.

It is interesting that the book of Ezra does not end with the conclusion or results of their action. It does not have to. We know what the result would have been from inaction. We also know what would happen if they repented. Ezra 10:14 gives the last clue to why they were so zealous in following God: "...until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us." Be an Ezra. Tremble at God's Word, and do it.