I often wonder why the country seems to be falling apart, despite what most people want. There is no popular support for many of those things, or for the people causing those problems. What happened to competence and pride in our work? Why does everything cost more while quality has tanked? Why does it seem like so many people care only about themselves now? We have a space program, but the average high schooler is nearly illiterate. Where did this two-tier justice system come from? Why can government agencies lose trillions of dollars (and fail six audits) and be ok, but the average citizen loses their freedom for many orders of magnitude less? On that note, where did all of our freedom go?! Why are taxes, bloated regulatory codes, and constitutional violations the norm? I’m still pretty young — why is the divorce rate in my generation so staggeringly high?
Most people I’ve talked to seem to feel the same way: it’s going to take serious upheaval to correct this problem. For awhile, I agreed. But I think I’ve been looking at our problems incorrectly this whole time. These may not be problems we can fix, but I don’t mean this in a pessimistic sense.
Look at Isaiah, draw your own conclusions. This was a message specifically to ancient Judah/Jerusalem, but the narrative and methods God uses have not changed. Replace the towns in these statements with your own country’s name.
“This is what the Lord says: ‘I raised my children and helped them grow up, but they have turned against me’” (1.2).
“When you raise your arms to pray to me, I will refuse to look at you. You will say more and more prayers, but I will refuse to listen because your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. Stop doing the evil things I see you do. Stop doing wrong. Learn to do good. Treat people fairly. Punish those who hurt others. Speak up for the widows and orphans. Argue their cases for them in court” (1.15-17).
“Look at [insert your city here]. She was a faithful city. What made her become like a prostitute? In the past, [she] was filled with justice, and goodness should live there now. Instead, there are murderers” (1.21). I recommend reading all of chapters one through three.
“The Lord God All-Powerful will take away everything [your cities] depend on. He will take away all the food and water. He will take away all the heroes and soldiers. He will take away all the judges, the prophets, the fortunetellers, and the elders. He will take away the army officers and important officials. He will take away the skilled counselors, the magicians, and those who try to tell the future. He says, ‘I will put young boys in charge of you. They will be your leaders. The people will turn against each other. Young people will not respect those who are older. The common people will not respect important leaders’” (3.1-5).
All hope is not lost, though: “I, the Lord, am the one speaking to you. Come, let’s discuss this. Even if your sins are as dark as red dye, that stain can be removed and you will be as pure as wool that is as white as snow” (1.18).
The problems in our country (and every country) are not ones we can necessarily fix with policy changes or better political leaders or societal upheaval. We have a systemic sin problem, and God only ever does the right thing. Judah and Jerusalem suffered because they constantly harmed the innocent with their business and legal practices. They suffered because their people left God. There are still many good people in this country who want to do what God wants! But if God is punishing us, we may want to think twice about attempting to block his justice.
Ft. McHenry (Maryland)
The Preacher Pollard Blog 