SF224 - IS THERE HOPE FOR THE UNITED STATES (Psalm 33 12)
Psalm 33:12; (80:1‑19)
INTRODUCTION
(Psalm 33:12 NIV) Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.
The Cost of Liberty
Two hundred and twenty two years ago, fifty‑six men signed a document know as the "Declaration of Independence.” It reads:
"We hold these truths to be self‑evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
"We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America... solemnly publish and declare. That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent states...
"And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor."
These words did not come cheaply. Those gallant men who signed the above document knew full well the cost of such a pledge. They were Fifty‑six of the finest the young colonies had produced: educated, influential, and wealthy. Twenty‑four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants. Nine were farmers and owners of plantations. They risked everything.
Of the fifty‑six, few were long to survive. Five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked, looted and occupied or burned by the enemy. Two lost their sons in the army. One had sons captured. Nine of the fifty‑six died in the war ‑ from its hardships or its more merciful bullets.
They pledged their lives, Their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Indeed, they gave all to bring the new nation to reality. Eighty‑seven years later at Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln spoke of the "unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced‑that we here so highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain."
And, so here, we are in 1998 and the dream of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" goes on. It is never finished! Freedom is never free; you have to sacrifice, you have to pay the price for your liberty.
National Parallels – Psalm 80:3-7
Israel parallels the US at this time in her history.
Ø It was a time of great need and despair
Ø Morals had slipped
Ø Israel needed revival
"When small men cast long shadows you know the sun is about to set.” Paul Harvey
Notice the Parallels...
1A. A GLORIOUS NATIONAL DESIGN
1B. Israel Was Divinely Planted (8)
So was America...
Christopher Columbus Journal
It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel his hand upon me) the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the West Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous inspiration from the Holy Scriptures...
The Pilgrims came to America to be missionaries.
Mayflower Pact
In the name of God, amen. ... Having undertaken, for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and honor of our King and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these present solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and of one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid, and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony.
2B. Israel Was Divinely Protected (9)
George Washington Inaugural Speech
It would be (peculiarly) improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplication to that Almighty Being, who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States... No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the affairs of men, more than, the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency... We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained.
3B. Israel Was Divinely Productive (10)
The United States has been and is the most productive nation on earth.
South America has many of the same and more resources but is not as productive – because the foundation upon which our nation was built.
2A. A GRAVE NATIONAL DANGER
1B. The Danger from Without (12)
Enemies – China, Iraq…
Terrorist – Oklahoma City bombing
Economic – National debt
2B. The Danger from Within (13)
Ø Crime – Killings at schools!
Ø Immorality ‑ Homosexual rights (recent poll ‑ only 1% of population is homosexual). Disney’s support of the homosexual lifestyle.
3B. The Danger from Above (14‑16)
God will and is judging America
3A. A GREAT NATIONAL DESPAIR
1B. Prayers were Unanswered (4)
No repentance ‑ no answer to prayer
(James 4:3 NIV) "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
2B. People were Unsatisfied (5)
No matter how much we have we want more.
3B. Peace was Unavailable (6)
(Jeremiah 6:14-16 NIV) "They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘ Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace. {15} Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them," says the LORD. {16} This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'"
4A. A GRACIOUS NATIONAL DELIVERANCE
1B. The Man Of God (17)
Reveal Christ - Son of man = Jesus
2B. The Movement of God (18)
Convict us
Revive us
3B. The Miracle of God (19)
Restore us
Remember us
Redeem us
APPLICATION
(2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV) "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Look up
Confess up
Stand up
Speak up
IS THERE HOPE FOR THE UNITED STATES?
Answers to Life’s Toughest Questions – Part 10 of 12
July 5, 1998 - Psalm 33:12; (80:1‑19)
Introduction
National Parallels
Israel parallels the US at this time in her history.
Ø It was a time of great need and despair
Ø Morals had slipped
Ø Israel needed revival
1A. A GLORIOUS NATIONAL __________________
1B. Israel Was Divinely _________________ (8)
2B. Israel Was Divinely ________________ (9)
3B. Israel Was Divinely ________________ (10)
2A. A GRAVE NATIONAL __________________
1B. The Danger from __________________ (12)
2B. The Danger from __________________ (13)
3B. The Danger from __________________ (14‑16)
3A. A GREAT NATIONAL __________________
1B. Prayers were ______________________ (4)
(James 4:3 NIV) "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
2B. People were _______________________ (5)
3B. Peace was ________________________ (6)
(Jeremiah 6:14-16 NIV) "They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘ Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace. {15} Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them," says the LORD. {16} This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'"
4A. A GRACIOUS NATIONAL _________________________
1B. The ________________ Of God (17)
2B. The ____________________ Of God (18)
3B. The ____________________ Of God (19)