ARE WE BLESSED?

     I fear I will be rambling today.  There is so much going through my mind. So in advance, I probably need to apologize.

     Yesterday, 09/11/11, there were some who said that God continues to bless America. I wonder. It may be that He simply is not ready to abandon us to our just punishments - yet. On the other hand, I often feel that He has cursed us, and why should He not?

     There was a time, from the inception of this country, that the Creator, Whom our founders acknowledged had endowed us with "rights," watched over the profound efforts to build a new civilization, under His laws.

     The citizens of the U.S. long recognized His authority, followed sound moral codes and incorporated that morality into laws, public decency, respect and protection of women and children.

     What have we become over the last couple of generations  through misguided or deliberate works of our political leaders and purveyors of modern "culture?"  As a country:

     We ignore God's laws and flaunt our disobedience.
     We are ungrateful for His love and care.
     We exclude Him from our homes.
     We conduct business and banking with greed and usury.
     We forbid His Name in our schools and public places.
     We kill the unborn by the thousands every year.
     We tolerate immoral lifestyles.
     We have no sense of modesty, even in church.
     We allow our children to expose themselves to gratuitous violence in games and movies.
     We let them emulate questionable role models.
     We have abdicated our roles as parents and allow the state to assume those roles.
    

     Our system of government is wallowing in corruption and there is a deliberate attempt to subvert our Constitution.  The economy is collapsing and we are weak internationally.

     Our children are increasingly lawless and violent. Parents have little control. The state dictates and oversees more and more aspects of daily life.

     The "blessings" of liberty are shrinking quickly.

     I truly doubt that God is blessing us. At any time I fear that He will withdraw even His protection.

     We are still, by and large, a good people. The majority believe in God, try to bring up their children to know Him, to the best of their ability.

     We have fine young people willing to give their lives for family and country.

     But is it enough? The country is overwhelmed by forces trying to destroy the nuclear family, corrupt the children  and silence the churches.

     Psalm 126 is one I've quoted before. The first two lines:  Unless the Lord build the house; they labor in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keepeth the city; he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.

    It would be good, perhaps, to pray Psalm 120, as David did while he fled Absolom. It applies to us. If we are His servants He will aid us, strengthen us, give us the grace to go on. He will protect us, body and soul.

     I have lifted up mine eyes unto the hills; from whence shall come my help.
     My help is from the Lord; who hath made heaven and earth.
     Let him not suffer thy foot to be moved; neither let him sleep that keepeth thee.
     Behold, he shall neither slumber nor sleep; that keepeth Israel.
     The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy defence; upon thy right hand.
     The sun shall not burn thee by day; nor the moon by night.
     The Lord preserveth thee from all evil; may the Lord preserve thy soul.
     May the Lord preserve they coming in and thy going out; from this time forth for evermore.

     We can and should pray. God answers prayers, but He expects something for His help, and that which He expects is our love and loyalty to Him.

9/12/11