An Idol Unto Yourself!

I look around at America today and I find myself overwhelmed by sadness at her condition. It wasn’t that long ago that GOD and the church were central figures in the lives of most Americans. But, today, we find the majority of people have absolutely no concern about either. The church is in its steepest decline ever and most Christians are oblivious to this as long as the church keeps meeting their personal needs. Americans became self-worshippers; they became an idol unto themselves.

America’s move to remove GOD and anything associated with GOD from society has sickened and weakened our nation. We see our streets ravaged by savages intent upon destroying human lives through violent actions. Pedophiles are wreaking havoc on our children’s lives. Unborn babies are being ripped from their place of security and offered up to Satan on the altar of convenience. There is no safety or security left; our nation has commanded GOD to get out and leave us alone and the consequences we are now left with are atrocious.

I’ve always wondered how Israel could go from being abundantly blessed by GOD to overtly rejecting GOD in a very short time, but as I look at America, I see we have taken the same detour. The Israelites had settled in and gotten comfortable in the Promised Land when Judges 3:7 suddenly rings out: “The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; they forgot the Lord their God and worshiped the Baals and the Asherahs” (HCSB).

Americans have become comfortable with life, with church, with all they have accumulated and in the process turned away from GOD. Certainly, most didn’t acquire idols as the Israelites did but in a way, they did. They began to put their own desires and actions ahead of GOD and today we have a nation filled with people who know no other GOD but themselves! America’s is sick today because we have turned our backs on GOD.

Paul warned of this happening. He said: “in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT).

As you read those verses, you see Americans today. The consequences are being witnessed by the drastic changes in lifestyles and the acceptance of all that is bad as being okay. Church, Jesus is coming back! The only hope for America today is for the church to rise up, stand up, and to proclaim the unadulterated truth of the Gospel.

Scripture Reading: “if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT).

Prayer: Father in heaven, our nation is sick today. This sickness is critical and will soon destroy our nation. I pray, LORD, that You will cleanse my heart and mind that I might draw closer to You. I pray for our churches and church leaders that they will turn from anything that displeases You and begin to rise up and speak out against the evil that has overcome us. I pray for our government and leaders that Your Spirit would soften their hearts and open their eyes to the damage that has already been done and seek to reverse it by turning back to You. I love You and thank You for loving me and loving America even when we fail You as we have…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!