These Times in Which We Live
NOTE: As you might have noticed from my posts (and lack of posts), this past summer was a trying one. Many changes for the good have taken place, and I can see God's hand working both in my personal life and in the lives of my family. I am grateful to the Lord for what He is doing. Writing, however, has been difficult. Thanks, to you, my readers for your patience.
Last evening, I was watching a series of programs on the Roman Empire. It featured some of Rome's great accomplishments and great failures. One of the programs featured Caligula, a particularly wicked emperor who terrorized Rome and its citizens in the short time he served as their ruler. More than once, the commentator said Roman citizens "cowered in fear" of what Caligula might do next. Murder, incest, treachery, you name it, Caligula did it. And Rome's citizen's endured it.
As I listened to the horror stories of Caligula, I couldn't help but think of the above verse from Proverbs. Why? Because Caligula was nothing more than a representation of the wickedness that was rampant in Roman society. Of course, not every Roman citizen was as bad as Caligula, but the society, in general, had been tolerant of the behavior. Instead of saying "no" to the sin, Rome had embraced the sin by allowing it to continue.
Sadly, American society is not unlike Rome in the days of Rome's emperors. While our society has never been perfect, it has not always openly tolerated sin the way it does today. Marriage is at all-time low, broken families are common, sins we would never have dreamed of speaking about publicly are joked about on the airways. Throughout our history, when we have tolerated sin, we have worn our reproach, and eventually God has punished us.
Rome paid for its sin in the reign of terror brought on by Caligula and other similar leaders. America will pay for the bad decisions currently being made by Wall Street and Congress. The outcome of the election will tell how dearly we will pay for our foolishness.
All is not lost, however. Nations rise and nations fall, and God is in control. Caligula was only allowed to serve for a few years before Roman officials had him executed. His reign of terror strengthened the Church and though many died for their faith, many more were brought to Christ during that time.
The healing of our land will most likely not come before we see our reproach, but for those of us who put our hope in God, these are not times for panic or despair. Rather they are the time to repent of our sin and draw near to God Who promises that if we do, He will draw near to us.
Righteousness exalts a nation,but sin is a reproach to any people.
Proverbs 14:34 (ESV)
Last evening, I was watching a series of programs on the Roman Empire. It featured some of Rome's great accomplishments and great failures. One of the programs featured Caligula, a particularly wicked emperor who terrorized Rome and its citizens in the short time he served as their ruler. More than once, the commentator said Roman citizens "cowered in fear" of what Caligula might do next. Murder, incest, treachery, you name it, Caligula did it. And Rome's citizen's endured it.
As I listened to the horror stories of Caligula, I couldn't help but think of the above verse from Proverbs. Why? Because Caligula was nothing more than a representation of the wickedness that was rampant in Roman society. Of course, not every Roman citizen was as bad as Caligula, but the society, in general, had been tolerant of the behavior. Instead of saying "no" to the sin, Rome had embraced the sin by allowing it to continue.
Sadly, American society is not unlike Rome in the days of Rome's emperors. While our society has never been perfect, it has not always openly tolerated sin the way it does today. Marriage is at all-time low, broken families are common, sins we would never have dreamed of speaking about publicly are joked about on the airways. Throughout our history, when we have tolerated sin, we have worn our reproach, and eventually God has punished us.
Rome paid for its sin in the reign of terror brought on by Caligula and other similar leaders. America will pay for the bad decisions currently being made by Wall Street and Congress. The outcome of the election will tell how dearly we will pay for our foolishness.
All is not lost, however. Nations rise and nations fall, and God is in control. Caligula was only allowed to serve for a few years before Roman officials had him executed. His reign of terror strengthened the Church and though many died for their faith, many more were brought to Christ during that time.
The healing of our land will most likely not come before we see our reproach, but for those of us who put our hope in God, these are not times for panic or despair. Rather they are the time to repent of our sin and draw near to God Who promises that if we do, He will draw near to us.
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
Comments
"For our struggles are not against flesh and blood....."
"This sentence we should remember so often as we are tempted to revengefulness, under the smart injuries from men. For when nature prompts us to fling ourselves upon them with all our might, this unreasonable passion will be checked and reined in suddenly, when we consider that these men who trouble us are nothing more than darts cast by the hand of Satan; and that while we stoop to pick up these, we shall expose ourselves to the full force of his blows."
John Calvin
Thank you!