“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34
America’s only hope is found in this verse. Our nation had a godly founding and a glorious past, but if the Lord tarries, what kind of nation will our children inherit? Evidently Americans believe the economy is the top issue. But I’d rather leave my children the legacy of a godly nation than great wealth squandered in a godless society. Righteousness is our greatest need. Alexander Hamilton said, “People get the government they deserve.” Something has happened in America. If we want to know what’s wrong, we need to look in the mirror.
America was born in a revival. The Great Awakening swept the land in a flame of righteousness. Out of that, schools were built, principles taught, and character became strong. A newborn nation declared her independence from England and upon almighty God.
Our Founding Fathers knew the best government was the least government. The more character you have, the more responsibility you’ll assume, and the less government you’ll need.
You cannot have true liberty without true righteousness. They are inextricably interwoven. For example, if a man becomes a criminal, he’s put in jail. Failing his responsibilities, his liberties are taken away. A baby has no responsibilities. But he also has no liberties: he can’t choose where he’s going to sleep or what he’ll wear. As he grows and assumes responsibilities, he’s given more liberties.
We will have more or less liberty in direct proportion to our character. When we lose character—righteousness—we lose liberty, for people who cannot live responsibly from within must be controlled from without.
James Madison said, “We have staked the whole future of American civilization not upon the power of government—far from it—…[but] upon the capacity to govern and sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments.” But today the Ten Commandments are called “unconstitutional” and removed from classrooms and many public buildings.
The great American dream is dissolving because of sin: sexual perversion, killing unborn children, break-up of the family, obsession with material things, craving for pleasure. America is self-indulgent, out of control.
With the erosion of character, we relinquish more responsibility to government, and whatever it subsidizes, government says it must control. When we depend on government to feed us, it will control us. Government is here to protect from tyranny and punish evildoers, not meet our needs. Sure as night follows day, when government provides, it begins to regulate. Then it’s free to oppress.
Look at our education system. It has outlawed God. The Bible is out; humanism is in. The Ten Commandments were swapped out for values clarification, one-world government, glories of the welfare state, and a new world order.
We’re now living in the shadows of an age. Our liberties are fast receding. You say, “But we still have lots of blessings in America.” Yes, we do. But they are residual blessings our forefathers left us.
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2).
We must take America back. We don’t have to be a majority; we’re salt and light. Salt penetrates, purifies, heals, and preserves. To say “don’t mix politics and religion” is like saying put the fish in one barrel and the salt in another. But “If salt loses its savor,” Jesus said, “it’s good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.”
The church of Jesus Christ is being “trodden underfoot” because we’ve become salt without savor.
Our Constitution was written for people of character. Godly character must permeate our society. We must set the standard in caring for our own and the widows and orphans. We must train up our children, godly offspring who will take leadership positions and return us to living by godly principles.
I want to leave my children and grandchildren a godly nation. Don’t you? God is our only hope, and revival will be the restoration of our nation.
