Occasionally, I may buy a newspaper but, generally, I scan the news on the internet. It is usually full of negative stories about the worst excesses of man, whether in war or just with “normal” every-day activity.
How many times have we heard people ask where is God in all of this? It is as if they expect a supernatural force to always come to our aid, irrespective of our behaviour.
I decided to look at one day’s news and see how mankind was faring. Of course, living in the UK, most of the news items I looked at were mainly, but not exclusively, problems that were applicable to this small island state. However, much could be said in a pretty similar vein about what is also happening in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand who make up much of the ancient nation of Israel. They were given such marvellous blessings but also promises of retribution for non-compliance (see Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28).
These nations have enjoyed many blessings over a long period of time, but that now seems to be ebbing away.
On this one day in late January 2023, when I looked at news items, what did I find?
One headline screamed: “I’m a psychologist and these are 13 reasons why people DON’T want to get married anymore – and why staying single makes you happier.” This is part of the desire of many to get rid of marriage and the family.
Another was: “Police investigate sign threatening to ‘decapitate TERFs’ at Glasgow rally as JK Rowling mocks ‘temporary blindness’ of politicians posing near it.” The rally was against the use of Section 35 to block new gender legislation and fears law makes it easier for predatory men to access female areas. According to Vox, TERF stands for “trans-exclusionary radical feminism.” The movement includes several self-professed feminist groups who are fighting against the inclusion of transgender women in the feminist movement.
This shows more problems with those wishing to change from male to female and vice versa; actions that are in direct conflict with the Bible.
I read a further headline which stated: “Shame of the Met (Metropolitan) Police’s 16 crooks in uniform,” which highlighted that the majority “had been for sexual offences or for violence against women.” These were dreadful offences perpetrated by those who are paid to protect the public.
There was more to follow. “Shocking rise of ‘something for nothing Britain’: Over half of households get more from the State than they pay in tax…” This showed the nonsense of paying people more to stay at home than get a job. This article went on to say that “Two years of furlough, with the Government paying people to sit at home doing nothing, convinced millions that work was an optional extra and the State would provide their every need.” Ian Duncan-Smith, a former leader of the Conservative Party, opined that “Lockdown changed the psyche of the British people. For all those years, we told them you can’t get something for nothing, and all of a sudden they did.”
I won’t continue with other headlines as I am sure that the point is made that the UK is in severe decline which brings me to a further attitude generally displayed. The Word of God is derided, and yet when calamity strikes, the plaintive cry from many asks the question as to why God, if there is one, allows all of this. We can transgress God’s Laws and His Way of Life and still expect things to go swimmingly, which seems to be their mantra. I am reminded of what Anne Graham, daughter of Billy Graham said after 9/11 when asked, “Why Did God Let This Happen?” She gave an extremely profound, thorough and insightful response from which I will, very briefly, quote.
She said: “I believe that God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we’ve been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman that He is, I believe that God has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand that He leave us alone?
“‘Dear God, Why didn’t you save the little girl killed in her classroom? Sincerely, Concerned Student’… AND THE REPLY ‘Dear Concerned Student, I am not allowed in schools. Sincerely, God.’
“Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with ‘WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.’”
It is hardly surprising that when a nation, in general, turns its back on its Creator, there will be repercussions. We sow the wind and reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). One commentator said that:
“Today, we can see the truth of Hosea’s proverb in many ways. Those who live in unrepentant sin can expect to suffer the consequences of their sin—consequences that both ‘fit the crime’ and exhibit a stunning intensity. Also, this statement by Hosea is a clarion call to avoid idolatry. Anything that steals our trust in the Lord, lessens our devotion to Him, or anything that controls us can be considered an idol and should be abolished from our lives.”
To use a hackneyed phrase, “We can’t have our cake and eat it.” But that is precisely what man wants.
There is coming a time when the headlines I mentioned earlier will be dwarfed in comparison. As the UK, the USA and the other English-speaking nations continue in their antipathy towards God and His people, great trouble lies ahead. The Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord make up 3½ years of trouble never previously experienced, as we read in part of Daniel 12:1: “And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time.”
The writing is very definitely on the wall and we must look to God for protection during that time. He promises that to His people who remain faithful to the end, and we must make sure that that includes all of us.
