HUMILITY OR HUMILIATION
People ask me, “Is there hope for our country?” or “Is God done with the USA?” “Have we drifted downward too far?”
Benjamin Franklin said at our nation’s founding, “I have lived a long time and I have observed that God governs in the affairs of men. Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it. If we (speaking to leaders … Washington, Jefferson, Madison and others) do not rely upon His aid in this political house, we will be no different than the builders of Babel.” Wise words.
Sure enough, if you look over the scope of human history, every superpower that has ever come has gone, most ending up on the ash heap of history, most after 200-250 years. I ask you, how old is our country? If we dare think we are invincible in our own strength, ingenuity, military superiority, smarts, technology or riches … we had better watch out. Psalm 2 says when a nation shakes its fist at God (in defiance), God laughs.
Now I am not a prophet or the son of a prophet, but I am a student of Scripture and history. Based on that, I believe our future will be either HUMILITY or HUMILIATION.
I can see the Humiliation path playing out quite easily. Why would we be different from every other superpower? Over time it is easy to get big, fat, happy, proud, distracted, lose your values and rot from within before being conquered from without. It seems like we are at a tipping point and the next few years will be crucial for our future. There are cliffs on all sides. Our debt cliff is a ticking time bomb that will go off someday. There are spiritual and moral cliffs … economic cliffs … family cliffs … racial cliffs … political gridlock cliffs … and responsibility cliffs. I can see how things could unravel very quickly and things could spiral out of control. Yes, I can foresee how the Humiliation Path could enfold quite clearly. Can’t you? Something is wrong. The Foundations are shaking. You can feel the tremors.
However, just as easily I can picture the Humility Path. When God’s people humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their evil ways, God has a way of revitalizing, renewing and healing a land. If God can reach a King Nebuchadnezzar … can’t He reach leaders today? If God can reach the brutal superpower Nineveh … can’t He reach a nation today? It was the greatest revival in the history of the world – an entire Capitol city was reached from the greatest to the least. Why not again? Is not God’s right hand still strong? Isn’t God still mighty to save? Isn’t God’s grace still available? If we had a first Great Awakening in America… can’t we have another?
I believe the Humility path leading to revival is so very possible. I pray to that end. I yearn for this outcome. I beg God for His work. Is there hope for the United States of America? There is always hope where you have Jesus!
Dr. Michael Sprague serves as Louisiana State Chaplain with the Capitol Commission and President of Grace Adventures. He ministers in a non-partisan pastoral role at the Baton Rouge Capitol, offering Bible studies, prayer, and spiritual care to leaders. A former senior pastor, he holds degrees from the University of Maryland, Capital Bible Seminary, and Dallas Theological Seminary. He helped launch Touch Global Crisis Response after Hurricane Katrina and authored two books. Michael does life in Mandeville, LA with his wife Donna. His motto is “Bet the Farm on God,”reflecting his passion to help others know Jesus. You can find more information about Michael here.
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