I’m an outsider of America, but as a believer who spent spiritually significant several years in the country, I also want to lament for sharp decline of her spiritual strength. But the below sentence caught my attention.
God is shaking our nation to get our attention, to get Christians — first and foremost — to wake up and focus on Him, not on Washington.
http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2012/11/07/so-what-now-7-sets-of-questions-to-ask-after-president-obamas-reelection/
Although politics have its place in God’s plan, biblical view of governments is that God is sovereign and does His will in spite of low moral state of the government and its leaders. Nebuchadnezzar is a classic example. Daniel was a faithful witness to him in spite that the king was a pagan and merciless tyrant.
I am a missionary who experienced a few countries, including one that limits exercise of religious freedom. From the experience, I know an anti-Christian government and regime doesn’t mean Satan is on its throne; but rather God actively uses the government for His glory and advancement of His spiritual kingdom.
Although the country implements abortion in order to restrict the polulation growth; but Christian churches do not follow the rule and rather enhance orphanage and fostering. I don’t know about homosexuals, but I assume they preach against the sin and help homosexuals get free from the bondage through preaching of the gospel. They do not cry out nor try to draw attention through media when somebody gets put into prison, but they gladly receive the persecution knowing it is God’s will to suffer as Christ suffered.
They already have premise that it is not the government that saves them but God of the Christ who does save them. And it is not the government who implements biblical values but the Church of Christ who implements them and the Church is victorious over the government because she is given power to overcome the gate of Hades.
Can you think and imagine a future that while America and her political leadership will get even worse than now, more ungodly, immoral, and even satanic, the number of Christians will grow and they make further commitments to Jesus Christ? The two trends are not dichotomy, rather they can mutually co-exist with eath other, because the light (Church) shines in the darkenss (corrupt, political government).
In a certain country, Christians “walk” six hours to get to church, and they have six hours of worship service. If a pastor ends with 45 min. message, they will complain because they made the sacrifice of 6 hour walk to hear God’s word. Do we have the thirst? Which church does Jesus commend and bless, the persecuted, poor church, or successful, wealthy church (Revelation 2-3)? The answer is obvious.
Therefore we should not regret; but rahter we must have strong hope in God. I love America even though I’m not an American. But I love God more than the dream of America, and I’m sure He will bless the country in spite of her decline.
