Will God Bless America ?

Habakkuk 1:1-4 “The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. O LORD, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, ‘Violence!’ And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.”

Prophet Questions God’s Delay Why didn’t God judge Judah for evil? – Violence, iniquity, and perverseness were present – Law was not respected; justice was perverted – Wicked allowed to take advantage of the righteous – Rightly understood these things cause judgment

Habakkuk 1:5-7 “Look among the nations and watch- Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you. For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, a bitter and hasty nation which marches through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs. They are terrible and dreadful; their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves.”

Habakkuk 1:8-11 “Their horses also are swifter than leopards, and more fierce than evening wolves. Their chargers charge ahead; Their cavalry comes from afar; they fly as the eagle that hastens to eat. They all come for violence; their faces are set like the east wind. They gather captives like sand. They scoff at kings, and princes are scorned by them. They deride every stronghold, for they heap up earthen mounds and seize it. Then his mind changes, and he transgresses; he commits offense, ascribing this power to his god.”

God Reveals His Work in Judging God was already acting to bring the Chaldeans – Babylon was a bitter and hasty nation – Known for its ruthlessness and destruction – Would come for violence, plunder, and captives – Military might overwhelmed Judah – God knew the prophet would not understand His work – Yet, He knew His response was proper

Habakkuk 1:12-14 “Are You not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You have marked them for correction. You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he? Why do You make men like fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler over them?”

“They take up all of them with a hook, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their dragnet. Therefore they rejoice and are glad. Therefore they sacrifice to their net, and burn incense to their dragnet; because by them their share is sumptuous and their food plentiful. Shall they therefore empty their net, and continue to slay nations without pity?” Habakkuk 1:15-17

The prophet understood God’s character – God is from everlasting (eternal not finite) – God is holy, pure, and takes no pleasure in evil – God’s power is absolute and certain in its effect Question: Why does God chose a nation more wicked than Judah to judge her? (1:13) Prophet Questions God’s Choices

Nations Exalted by Righteousness Proverbs shows the need for righteousness in the nation –“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” {Proverbs 14:34} –“By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.” {Proverbs 11:11}

Proverbs shows the need for righteousness in the nation – “It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness.” {Proverbs 16:12} – “Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.” {Proverbs 25:5} Nations Exalted by Righteousness

Proverbs shows the need for righteousness in the nation – “Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; but by a man of understanding and knowledge right will be prolonged.” {Proverbs 28:2} – People and leaders must BOTH be righteous Nations Exalted by Righteousness

Verified in God’s dealings throughout time – Daniel 4:28-33—dealing with Nebuchadnezzar – Daniel 5:17-31—dealing with Belshazzar – Prophecies against nations filled with examples – Judah and Israel both destroyed because of evil! Nations Judged for Wickedness

Principle remains true today just as in the past. God gave the government a place… – “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves… Nations Judged for Wickedness

Principle remains true today just as in the past. God gave the government a place… – “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” {Romans 13:1-4} Nations Judged for Wickedness

Brings the Question to Our Minds...

Will God Bless America ?

Points to Help Answer the Question We all hope and pray for God’s blessings We must remember that blessings are not assured by… Our desires, our prayers, or our thoughts of right The relative goodness of the nation by comparison Wickedness of enemies faced by this nation

Recognize the demands of privilege… God demands more of those who are given more God judges more harshly those who first call on Him and then depart from His righteousness! Points to Help Answer the Question

If God Continues to Bless America… We must return to upholding His righteousness Growing tolerance of sin must be reversed Must seek righteousness over material wealth Justice must be served and evil must be punished

We must use our blessings to serve God Material wealth must go to His cause, not self Freedom must be used to serve, not to feed our lusts If God Continues to Bless America…

Are We Still One Nation Under God?