Various recent polls indicate between 60% and 70% of Americans believe that this great nation is headed in the wrong direction. Reasons for this dissatisfaction include the nearly stagnant economy, the high unemployment rate, and our mid-east foreign policy. No where is it mentioned that we are headed in the wrong direction due to our abandonment of Biblical principles. Many subscribe to the premise that inasmuch as God is love, this nation is in good hands and all will turn out well. Such thinking lines the road to disaster.
Yes, the Bible does state that God is love, but He is also just, holy, righteous, immutable, and sovereign. He is sovereign because He created us in His image and has planned the ultimate outcome for mankind and planet earth from the beginning. Sadly, according to the Bible, man is constantly getting in the way by side-stepping God’s instructions and replacing them with their own agenda. This will certainly result in failure. There comes a point when God will withdraw His hand of protection and turn us loose to pursue our way. That defines the ‘point of no return.’
There are numerous scripture references addressing this issue.
“Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes…when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, they would have none of my counsel… therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies.” Proverbs 1:24-31
Several issues are described in this scripture.
• God has revealed His instructions to His people
• People have refused God’s counsel
• There comes a point where God removes His hand of protection
• Man will indeed reap what he has sown
There are numerous times in the Old Testament where references to Israel could accurately be applied to America.
“But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels. ‘Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries…’” Psalms 81:11-14
There comes a time when a non-repentant nation will be told to depend on their self made gods in time of trouble.
“So the LORD said to the children of Israel, ‘Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites…Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods. Therefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in your time of distress.’” Judges 10:11-14
“…The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”
2 Chronicles 15:2
The Bible also compares man’s wisdom with God’s wisdom.
“For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; he blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD; The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts…He has said in his heart, ‘I shall not be moved…’” Psalms 10:3-6
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12
The point of no return for a nation is reached when that nation continually ignores God with no intention of changing their ways.
“Therefore you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not obey you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you.” Jeremiah 7:27
At that point God says not to even pray for that nation. Their judgment cannot be averted.
“Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit…and walk after other gods…and then come to Me…and say, ‘we are delivered to do all these abominations.’”
“Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you.” Jeremiah 7:8-10, 16
The solution for our nation’s woes is/was quite straight forward.
“Thus says the LORD of hosts… ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you that it may be well with you.’” Jeremiah 7:21-23
Does our great nation founded on Biblical principles really love God today?
“Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always.” Deuteronomy 11:1
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” I John 5:3
Has America as a nation passed the point of no return?