The State of the Nation

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34

After emigrating to the United States, the Russian novelist and philosopher Aleksandr Solzhenitsyen was asked for his observation concerning the moral state of America. His response was terse: “The problem with America is that it has forgotten God.” The same root tragedy was addressed by the Lord through Jeremiah to apostate Judah: “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number” (Jer. 2:32).

How does a nation forget God? By being superficially religious without heartfelt obedience and worship. Ninety percent of Americans believe in God. Churches are visible everywhere. But there is a vast difference between a religious nation and a Christian nation. Judah still practiced the formalities of her creed while living in immorality (Jer. 5:8-9), greed (Jer. 6:13), and deceit (Jer. 9:3-6).

The only known cure for Judah, America, or any nation is turning decisively from sin to God. The spiritual state of our people, beginning with you and me, directly affects the state of our nation. Do you genuinely hunger for God, or have we gradually “forgotten God” while pursuing other interests?

“And 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, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14