DISCOVERING THE HEART OF GOD: Death To America?

It's painful to look at, isn't it? Some of you may have lost loved ones there (let's not forget the Pentagon, etc, too). And now, seven years later, we're still trying to sift through the emotional debris. Why did God permit this? Why have Islamic fanatics become our enemies? Why do they scream such hateful chants?

As I've read through the prophecy of Isaiah again, God has been reminding me that there are certain principles at work when a country claims to be in covenant with Him. And as you know, America has long claimed to be blessed by Jehovah God.

The House of Jacob had lost its favor with God. "Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures." (Isaiah 3:7) Sound familiar?

"Their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots." (3:7) Transportation had become an idol. Hmmmmm..... "They bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made." (3:8) Their pride and arrogance and their alliances with the system of the world had made God sick -- and He decided to punish them.

"For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner an the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms." (3:1-3)

When a country that claims a covenant with Almighty God turns their back on Him they can expect Him to finally act upon them in judgment. It's called "loving discipline" (Hebrews 12). Inflation will suddenly be rampant; they will begin to lose soldiers left and right; good counsel will go missing; and their "good luck" will disappear.

"And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them." (3:4) Can anyone say "Barak Obama"? In verse twelve of this same chapter God tells us that when women and youth are the leaders and rulers in a country, it is a disgrace to a nation and a sign of His judgment.

"And the people will oppress each other, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor." (3:5) Violence, disrespect, and fraud are at an all-time high in America.

"The youth will be insolent to their elders." (3:5) Need I say more?

"For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, DEFYING HIS GLORIOUS PRESENCE. For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves." (3:8,9)

Look closely at the picture up above again. Someone has placed an angel behind the towers in an attempt, I'm guessing, to make Americans feel like all of heaven grieves for their country. That may be true -- I don't know. But I do know that angels are also used by God to carry out His judgment (read Revelation).

"Your men shall fall by the sword and your mighty men in battle. And her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground." (3:25,26)

"Woe to those who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is no more room.....the lord of hosts has sworn in my hearing: surely many houses shall be desolate, large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant." (5:8,9) Can anyone say 'sub-prime mortgages'?

God loves to bless a nation! "Righteousness exalts a nation,but sin is a reproach to any people. The King's favor is toward a wise servant, but His wrath is against him who causes shame."(Proverbs 14:34,35)

May God lead America to renewal and repentance so that they might reflect His love and grace to the world again -- and so that God might add His blessing to them once again!