A Deeply Worried Place

The headline on the “Money” section (section B) of Tuesday’s USA Today reads “Poll: USA’s a deeply worried place”. The subtitle of the article, written by John Waggoner, was “79% of those asked fear nation in for a depression”. The remainder of the article goes downhill from there. One paragraph discusses the impact of the economy on retirement:

“Another 62% said they were worried about having enough money for retirement. ‘For those of us getting closer to retirement, the stress level has increased dramatically because we have seen huge losses in our home values and our 401(k)/IRA balances’…”.

Well, I never think much about retirement since I don’t ever see myself doing so. Oh, I may change jobs or doing something less demanding that my present occupation but retiring? I just can’t seem to find that concept in the Scripture. As I read God’s Word, my retirement begins the day I find myself in glory with the Lord.

Be that as it may, my “worry” for our nation is not in its economic condition. Yes, the economy is bad when compared to the past few years. But what greatly concerns me about the United States may be found elsewhere in the same USA Today. Note some of the stories covered by Tuesday’s paper.

“The impeachment process begins for Illinois governor”
“Shoe thrower called hero, ‘hothead’”
“Vegas bets on its ties to Mob”
“Sect leader convicted of sex crime”
“Probe continues in Palin church fire”
“Relatives of toddler await word on remains”
“American security expert kidnapped in Mexico”

Unrighteousness abounds even in the good, old United States. The economic depression pales in comparison to spiritual depression our nation is in. Unfortunately (although Providentially!), our future looks no better. The Obama administration has publically made statements indicating our nation is headed toward more unrighteousness, especially in the realm of killing unborn children.

Perhaps part of our economic turmoil is the result of God’s judgment upon our nation for our growing wickedness. But, the bottom line is clear: America is in a spiritual depression and needs a mighty revival from God. Scripture says “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12). Let’s face facts; our nation no longer considers its God to be the Lord. If it has a god, it is the god of secularism, materialism, “me-ism”.

Those of us who truly know Jesus as our Lord and our nation’s Lord need to pray earnestly and continually for God to send a revival through our churches and across this land. The United States will never regain its place in the world as a “city on a hill” until it turns from its sin. For God has said, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

May God have mercy on each of us and upon our nation.