Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people

Judges 6:13 " And Gideon said unto him. Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us?"

Why? Why? Why? As I sit here thinking about this question being asked by Gideon, the words of Deut. 11:26-28 where a blessing is promised if people obey the commandments of God but a cursing is the result of not obeying God. I think of Prov.14:34 where we are told that righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people. Israel had sinned, Israel had forgotten God (Judges 3:7). That is why they were in a pitiful, impoverished condition. It is now that I think of America.   Gideon here speaks aloud a question that is once again echoing across America. Another horrendous act of violence has taken place causing men and women throughout this great nation to ask "Why". It seems that this question is constantly on our lips, Why so much crime, why all the drug abuse, why  all the immorality, why all the suffering and pain, why all the greed, the wickedness, the violence. Why? Why? Why? I do not know all the answers to this question but each day I become more convinced that America is following in the footsteps of Israel of old. The Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of our government have for the most part excluded God. God has been removed from our educational institutions. Godless organizations are allowed to dictate to us what is acceptable or unacceptable in the religious aspects of our lives (Acts 4:18-19, Acts 5:29). There is a lack of restraint regarding fleshly appetites (Gal.5:19-21, Col. 3:5-6). Sadly, God has been removed from many churches (Matt. 15:8-9, Gal. 1:6-9, 2 John 9-11). In short, God has either been excluded or relegated to an obscure position in the lives of masses of people (2 Tim. 3:1-5)  Still, we ask, "Why".    

The cry for conditions to change is now echoing throughout the land. I pray that change will be a renewed respect for God, a desire to walk in his ways, a desire to love and serve God with all the heart, soul, mind, strength and a willingness to keep his commandments  (John 14:15, 2 John 6, 1 John 3:24, 1 John 3:2-3,  Mark 12:30). It is time for a spiritual revival in America (2 Pet. 3:9, Matt. 11:28-30, Eph.5:14-17, Eccl. 12:13-14)

The circumstances surrounding some events of this life are truly difficult to understand, The impact they have on our lives is sometimes heart wrenching. I may not always understand but one thing I do know and understand is that the God I serve, the God in whom I have placed my faith and trust is in control of all things including my life. He will see that I have the strength, the courage, the ability to overcome all things (Isa. 12:2, 1 Cor. 10:13, 1 Pet. 5:6-7, Heb. 13:5-6)

Charles Hicks