Editorial

John G. Reisinger

I do remember when a single event both clearly defined and totally blurred reality as much as the bombing of the Trade Center building. Everyone was rushing to assure us that God was not responsible (See Piper on Page 11). Some preachers were saying, "I point my finger directly at so and so and say 'You are the cause of this judgement.'" There is little that needs to said on that subject that can add to Piper's clear statement.

I am concerned with the very real paradoxes that have been thrust upon us. It is no longer possible to "have your cake and eat it too." I saw a political cartoon that showed Uncle Sam getting ready to board a plane with two bags. One was labeled "Personal rights" and the other was labeled "Guaranteed Security." A guard was sorry, "I am sorry sir, you can only carry on one bag." The cartoonist had caught the essence of the major problem we must face. We will never again enjoy any sense of "guaranteed security" nor will we ever again have a society as totally open and free as we had before September 11.

I am concerned with the blatant "religiosity" from the Hollywood crowd, the ungodly politicians, the openly defiant liberals preachers are all publicly quoting the Psalms, the great promises to God's people, and piously each praying to "his own God" no matter who that God is. It is hard to imagine a king in Israel calling in the Prophets of Baal, the priests of the Philistine Gods, and Isaiah for a joint prayer session. I do not ever remember seeing a constant crying out of "Peace, Peace" to an unrepentant and ungodly nation.

How could politicians and supreme court justices publicly participate in petitioning a God they had, by deliberate legal decisions, ruled out of all public life in America, including our school system? I am not talking praying in government schools, I am talking about laws that forbid mentioning God as Creator while legislating that evolution must be taught.

I guess what really bothers is there is not one single evidence or even suggestion that just maybe we as nation need to repent. It is just assumed, (1) "a loving God simply would not ever ordain such a thing to happen," and (2) "He surely would not do it against our great Christian nation." The first is absolutely contrary to Scripture and the second is pure hogwash.

I personally only see one bright spot. I have simply amazed at the radically changed attitude of the press and liberals in general. Some very known people who very vocal in their criticism of Bush have publicly admitted they were wrong. Some have even expressed how thankful they were that George Bush was in the White House instead of Al Gore. I do see that as a bright spot because I thing the liberals have somehow changed. I see it an expression of facing reality and only God can make a liberal do that. I was kind of frightened when Bush won. What if God were setting us for really big fall? I am no prophet, but I want to believe that this is an evidence of God giving us one last chance to really repent as a nation.

One of the first evidence of God cursing a nation is take away the true prophets and giving lying prophets who totally misrepresent God. The second evidence is giving a nation corrupt leaders who despise God and his authority. We still have our share of lying prophets around but we also have a host of great and Godly men who gaining the ear and hearts of many Americans. Likewise, we still have many immoral corrupt politicians, but we also have some men of true integrity in the highest office.

I think the message today is found in the Book of Habakkuk. It was God who send the fierce Chaladians to destroy Israel. Habakkuk's first response is the one you hear today, "We may be bad but they are a lot worse than we are." It is easy to excuse our own sin by magnifying the sin of others. The problem that God surely expects a nation that wants to claim God as their God to behave differently than wicked nation. Habakkuk could not believe that God would a nation much more wicked than Israel in order to judge Israel. To many today it is just as unthinkable that God would use a ruthless Bin Laden to bring judgment to the USA.

In the end of Book, Habakkuk is reconciled to the fact that God indeed is going to send the Chaladeans to punish Israel for her sin. Habakkuk prays that most wonderful prayer. He was scared to death and "shook like a leaf" when he thought of the terrible days of judgement that was sure to come. Then he prayed:

2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2

Habakkuk got the message and saw the need for judgement. He saw that the coming invasion was from God himself. He also pleaded that God would awake the people to repentance and the judgement would be accompanied by God granting the gift of mercy.

I think that is about the place we stand today. I believe God has spoken loud and clear, regardless of what the pundits and talking heads say. So far, I don't find much evidence that many people are listening.

Copyright 2004 John G. Reisinger