Tenth & Final Article in the Series

The Fall of a Godly Nation

Conclusion – Is It Too Late For America?

Special Note: This article is included in Jim’s book “The Fall of a Godly Nation” along with nine other articles and is available for purchase in Paperback and eBook formats at this link:  Jim’s Books

Background:

When I started assembling the material that eventually morphed into a book, I had in mind writing just a couple of articles recalling a specific time in the history of ancient Israel and Judah that parallel the times we live in today in the early twenty-first century.  It seemed to me that an important message for our generation was clear:  Israel and Judah were on a sure path to self-destruction, and today most, if not all, of the nations of the world are on a similar path.  Sadly, this includes the United States of America.  Why?  Because of our individual and collective sinfulness and disobedience to the commands of the one and only Almighty Jehovah God!

Realizing that I would not be able to cover the breadth of the material God was placing in my heart in such a condensed format, I began the journey knowing that it would likely take several months of prayer, study, research and multiple articles to faithfully convey the full content and message.   What I did not know at the time was that it would take almost a year to complete the task!  I struggled with medical issues and some of the content but tried to remain non-political, though at times that was very difficult.

Source Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davidic_line#mediaviewer/File:Genealogy_of_the_kings_of_Israel_and_Judah.svg

The Bible teaches that the fall of Israel and Judah as once Godly nations resulted from their own continued sinfulness and disobedience to God’s commands … not from the strength and power of their enemies.  Quite to the contrary, after giving Israel and Judah countless “second” chances to repent of their sins and return to Him, God finally had enough of their rebellion and He allowed their enemies to overwhelm them and take them into captivity thus completing The Fall of a Godly Nation and ending the rule of The Davidic Line of Kings.  As you can see in the figure depicting the “Genealogy of the Kings of Ancient Israel and Judah,” Hezekiah and Manasseh were just two of the kings in the lineage … the former remembered as a “good” king and the latter as a “bad” king.  But the sinfulness of both leaders and those before and after them contributed to Israel and Judah’s demise.

So many of today’s religious leaders have passionately preached that America has turned her face away from God.  Our nation, our leaders and even many of those who profess to be Christians, as a matter of choice, do not obey God’s commandments or live by biblical principles.  Is it any wonder that our collective morality as a nation is at an all time low?  Regardless of what has led us to our current pitiful position, Christian’s should care enough about America to cry out to God on her behalf.

Is it too late for America to be turned away from our path of self-destruction?  As a Christian and a patriotic American I believe that the answer is No!  God is a God of hope!  God is a God of promises! His promises are recorded in His Holy Word and He will keep them!  God is a God of righteousness and He requires His children to be obedient to His commands!

God will not continue to ignore our unrighteous sinfulness and Godlessness.  There are consequences to our individual and collective sin!  So, how do we address our downhill slide and reverse The Fall of a Godly Nation?

Scripture: (all ESV unless otherwise noted)

2 Timothy 3:1-5 – But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. ² For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.  Avoid such people.

2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Matthew 6:33 – But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 85:6 – Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

Discussion:

In chapter three of Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we find a description of what Paul describes as the “last days” and the difficulty that will occur during those days. Consider carefully Paul’s description of man’s behavior:  “² For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.”  The evidence of our sinfulness and disobedience to God that I observe all around us today certainly argues that we are in those last days.

Of this scripture Matthew Henry says there will be …

“persecution from without … on account of corruptions within.  Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. When children are disobedient to their parents, that makes the times perilous. Men are unholy and without the fear of God, because unthankful for the mercies of God. We abuse God’s gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts.”

Just as in the days of Hezekiah and Judah, America needs a revival.  That revival must start with God’s church.  America is in such great need of repentance.  The church is where our repentance and revival must start.  The familiar verse found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 provides the formula for God’s solution:  “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.“

Note that God says “My people.”  Christians are God’s “My people.”  America will never repent until His people … those called by His name … Christians … the church … pray and turn from their wicked ways. True and lasting solutions to our problems will not and can not come through man’s laws, legislation, alliances, treaties, nor military might.  They will come from God, and God alone!

In His Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 5-7 Jesus stated: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33)” …  added by Almighty God …  not by man.

Gerard van Honthorst (1590–1656) – King David Playing The Harp

David prayed a sincere prayer of repentance (Psalm 51:1-12) after Nathan the prophet confronted him regarding his sin with Bathsheba.  It would do us well as Christians to pray a similar prayer of repentance.

³ For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
    and blameless in your judgment.
⁵ Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    and in sin did my mother conceive me.
⁶ Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Psalm 85 is one of the twenty-five Psalms attributed to the sons of Korah.  This Psalm projects a beautiful picture of the desire for true revival.  Verse 6 echoes in my mind as I write this article:  “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?“

⁴ Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
    and put away your indignation toward us!
⁵ Will you be angry with us forever?
    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
⁶ Will you not revive us again,
    that your people may rejoice in you?
⁷ Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.

⁸ Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
    for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
    but let them not turn back to folly.
⁹ Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
    that glory may dwell in our land.

Reflection:

We are indeed a nation in need of prayer, repentance and healing.  The unGodly condition of present day America is enough to put us on our knees seeking God’s divine intervention.  God has warned us and continues to warn us.  As a nation our rebellion against Him can not be denied!  God has not changed!  He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Christian, those who are His children, we must get down on our knees and ask God to send a great awakening to America.  The future of our nation … the future of our children and grandchildren … depends upon our repentance.  God has promised … yes, PROMISED … and God keeps ALL of His promises … “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).” 

History is our teacher.  God has been patient with America … a once Godly Nation.  Israel/Judah was also a once Godly Nation.  Israel/Judah suffered their fall. Will America be next to suffer The Fall of a Godly Nation? Is It Too Late For America?  Only time will tell.

Epilogue:

This is the final chapter in this series of articles.  This series will be available in eBook and paperback formats later this year.

To read the previous articles use the following links:

• The Fall of a Godly Nation – An Introduction to a Series of Articles on Ancient Israel and Judah That Parallel Our Modern Day
• Revival Before the Fall – Hezekiah Brings Reforms and Revival to Judah
• Successful Execution of the Wrong Plan – Hezekiah’s Tunnel
• Intentional Deceit – The Lies and Intimidation of Sennacherib
• The Folly of Not Trusting God – Isaiah Pronounces Judgement
• God Listens and Restores – Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery
• Lest Any Man Should Boast – Sennacherib Blasphemes Jehovah
• Parading Your Own Glory – The Consequences of Hezekiah’s Pride
• Passing the Mantle – The Failure of a Godly Father
• Conclusion:  Is It Too Late for America?

Where to Read More:

• Sons of Korah
• A Nation in Need of Prayer
• Bible Verses On Revival

Other Christian Articles by Jim Davenport:

• Article Index

Southern Gospel Music by The Good News:

• Listen to The Good News – includes over 2 hours of southern gospel music recorded by The Good News quartet; once you are there scroll down and click on the tune you want to hear. Share “the good news” from The Good News with your friends.

________________________________________________________________