Dear editor:
Is there still hope for America? Will America survive or will she collapse and be destroyed, perhaps under the mighty hand of God's judgment?
Some of you might scoff at that ever happening to modern America. Perhaps you may think that God's judgment is a phenomenon that could only happen in the ancient Old Testament times in the Bible. If that's what you believe, then listen to what Billy Graham's late wife, Ruth, said back in the 1970s: "'If God doesn't judge America, He'll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.' ... If Ruth Graham could speak of God's judgment on the America of that day, how much more true is it now" in this unprecedented wicked and ungodly culture we are now witnessing? (quotes from Charisma magazine, May 2015, Pages 34, 41.)
Also, keep in mind that God is not limited by time and that He never changes. That is plainly stated in Malachi 3:6 -- "For I am the Lord -- I do not change." We also find that truth repeated in the New Testament book of Hebrews, Chapter 13, Verse 8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Now, some of you may also be saying to all of this that you thought God was a god of love. Yes, that is certainly true, but just as we have different facets of our total make up as humans, that is also true for God. Not only is He a god of love, but He is also a god of perfect purity and holiness who cannot tolerate sin. In addition, He is also a god of justice and is, therefore, a divine judge.
There really is no contradiction in all of this. Revelation 3:19 says, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." And in Hebrews 12:5-6, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son." (Much like a good parent correcting a child out of loving concern.)
Another thing to keep in mind is that no one can violate God's laws without experiencing some serious consequences sooner or later. That's true for both an individual or a nation. God's moral laws are as certain as His laws of physics!
So, once again I ask how much farther is this nation down the road to God's judgment? Could it be possible that we are already experiencing judgment? One local pastor of a major church said recently that "he had the impression that America has been under judgment for the last several years!"
If that should be true (and I believe it is), then keep in mind that the severity of the judgment can become far worse! If we, as a nation, continue our sin and rebellion against God Almighty, then we will leave Him no choice except to "drop the hammer" of His judgment more greatly upon us!
We need to sober up, wake up and cry out to God in mass prayers daily all across the nation.
Lloyd Hoffman
Hot Springs
Editorial on 05/03/2015