Reflections upon 9 -11 One Year Later

Reflections upon 9 -11 One Year Later

May God's grace be upon the survivors of the 9 -11 attack. It truly grieves my heart how arrogantly people have maintained their pride -- even though God resisteth the proud -- as we approach the date. Unless we as a people humbly repent, I am persuaded that America shall see similar heartrending events in the future. "No state [or nation] can avoid making itself the divine touchstone of truth and character," wrote Rousas John Rushdoony, "if it departs from the primacy of God and HIS word and law."

Psalms 33:12: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." America has a very honorable history in which the determinate struggle for true liberty was first pioneered when persecuted saints of God made their way to these shores in hopes of worshipping our great and mighty LORD in truth according the holy Word of God, the Bible. In time those that have preceded us fought and eventually won their political freedom as well. We are the beneficiaries of their hard earned liberty.

Fifty-five years after our nation's birth the 25 year old noted French statesmen, historian, and social philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville toured America in 1831 in order to discover the source of her vast wealth and limitless liberty. His conclusion: "I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers - and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce - and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great. The Americans combine the notion of Christianity and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other." We in this modern era of the 21st century are the ever grateful beneficiaries of our forebears' faith and sacrifice. America's glorious heritage is certainly a rich one. America truly was elevated to greatness because of her goodness.

In due time however, our nation began to slowly drift from its moorings. When that started will be addressed in another piece. Indeed America has departed from the primacy of God and HIS word and law to which our history adequately attests. So from a very honorable history and glorious heritage we have arrived at a hypocritical present. All across America signs read: "God Bless America." Why should God bless America? America has squandered her blessings and ceased being good; therefore, she ceases to be great. America currently operates with pseudo laws not based upon the Bible or the binding contract of the constitution of these states united.

Harsh words, you may be thinking. True words nevertheless! The holy Scripture says in Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." As George Mason an early American wisely stated, "As nations cannot be rewarded or punished in the next world, they must be in this. By an inevitable chain of cause and effects, Providence [Almighty God] punishes national sins by national calamities."

What national sins? you ask. I mention two. First, the past 29 years the killing of the unwanted unborn babies (over 40 million) has had the fraudulent sanction of the Supreme Court in 1973. "The most dangerous place in America is in a mother's womb." David Barton in The Myth of Separation astutely asserts: "By refusing to sustain standards of morality, the Courts have, by default, installed immorality as the acceptable and prevalent standard." In Scripture it reports how our LORD severely judged HIS own people for permitting the shedding of innocent blood. Secondly, for the past 29 years the once forbidden practice of sodomy and homosexual activities, which were once banned in all 50 states in the union, have not only been tolerated, but now are openly promoted. One need only recall the displeasure of the LORD against ancient cultures such as Sodom and Gomorra that permitted and practiced such vile lifestyles.

Is America really great? Not if she is no longer good. The price is high for departing from the primacy of God and HIS word and law. In Psalms 9:17 we are forewarned: "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

When surveyed by George Barna and his research group, "Almost nine out of ten Americans said that the terrorist attacks have had no lasting impact on their faith, though millions of adults (roughly half of the US adult population) claim to have turned to their faith to help them personally process the tragedies ... Compared to just prior to the attacks, there has been no change in personal religious activity levels such as church attendance, Bible reading, prayer, Sunday school and small group involvement."

Unless we Americans repent, there will be little hope of a safe tomorrow. Let us each, therefore, humble ourselves, seek the mercy and grace of Almighty God in the LORD Jesus Christ and turn from our national wickedness as well as our own personal vices.

May God be glorified in each of our lives!

Sincerely,

Pastor John Stephen Brown

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the grace of God, I will do." - Edward Everett Hale

Rev. John Stephen Brown, Pastor of Eternal Grace Baptist Church of New Maysville, Indiana for over sixteen years * 8965 N. CR. 675 E. * Bainbridge, Indiana * (765) 522-1308

Email: preacher@link2000.net (lower case)

Email: PastorJSBrown@juno.com (no spaces)

Website: http://www.link2000.net/~preacher/