Is God Trying to Get Our Attention?

The recent hurricane Helene, not only impacted the Gulf coast of Florida with severe flooding and damaging winds, but has reeked havoc in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

The national news has documented the devastation in places like Asheville, and Chimney Rock, a picturesque tourist town that was destroyed. One resident lamented, “What was once a town is now a river.” Over 125 have died as the result of Helene. And there may be many more.

At the same time, we see the ruins of bombed-out buildings in the Middle East as war continues to rage by the enemies of Israel, with Iran lurking in the background providing the impetus.

War continues with Russia and Ukraine, as the United States funnels billions of dollars to support President Zelenskyy in his fight against Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

Our porous Southern border continues to allow illegal aliens to cross at will, many with criminal records and some members of gangs who commit heinous crimes against U.S. citizens.

While not often reported, there are currently 30 active large wildfires in the West that have burned 1,580,407 acres.

Recently we have witnessed the attempted assassination of a former President and current presidential candidate, not once, but twice. Plus it has been reported that Iran has a bounty on Mr. Trump.

In addition, there are reports every day on the nightly news of crime in the streets, celebrities who engage in despicable behavior, and other senseless acts of violence.

Politically the US is a mess. Surveys have shown the electorate is not really satisfied with the candidate for either major party. It seems that most voters of both parties are voting against someone instead of for someone.

Not surprisingly, a recent poll revealed that 2/3 of Americans are dissatisfied with the direction our country is going and think we are on the wrong track.

All of this, raises the question “Is God trying to get our attention?”

Our current culture reminds me of a passage from the Old Testament. The prophet Amos was sent by God to warn Israel of impending judgment. While God has blessed them, they had neglected God’s laws. They had oppressed the poor. Reveled in luxurious wantonness. Indulged in the worship of idols with its attendant immorality. And had rendered their worship to Jehovah as ineffectual and hypocritical.

As a result, Amos reminded Israel how God chastised them with various natural disasters. Famine, flood, and drought. Blight and mildew that destroyed their crops, along with locusts. Death as a result of war. Yet, none of that phased them. The prophet repeated this line over and again. “Yet you have not returned to Me, says the Lord” (Amos 4:1-11).

Finally, God’s message is simple. “Prepare to meet your God, O Israel.” (4:12). Judgment was coming. And the nation would fall into captivity, at the hands of the cruel Assyrians.

Sounds strikingly familiar, doesn’t it?

God has blessed America with wealth, prosperity, and opportunity unlike any other country in history. Yet, we have squandered so much through waste, selfishness, and conspicuous consumption. Morally, as a country, we’ve rejected God’s marriage laws, His guidance regarding sexual purity, His divine gender roles distinguishing men and women, and the sanctity of life.

We wonder, as did the ancient prophets and patriarchs, “How long, O Lord, how long?” How long will God allow us to continue without divine judgment of our nation? Or finally decide, it’s time for the world to end.

I don’t know. I’m not claiming some special revelation from God with an answer. As the old time preachers used to say, “I’m not a prophet nor the son of a prophet.” However, I have read the prophets. I know that the Lord has judged nations in the past for their immoral, idolatrous and ungodly ways. It could happen again. I do know this world is not going to last forever.

The sobering and shocking events we see around us should cause us to think about our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Are we living a Christian life? Are we faithful? Are we providing solutions to the world’s problems by being the light of the world and the salt of the earth, or are we a part of the problem? Have we become indifferent and calloused to the world’s problems and its wickedness?

And finally, are we prepared to meet God?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman