As we move toward the end of another year, we must take a moment to reflect personally and as a nation. Throughout the study of Nehemiah, we have taken a moment to look at the nation of Israel. What happened? Why did they fall into captivity? What can we as a nation learn from them? They had allowed evil within, first dividing the nation through their own internal fighting. Quickly, the break from within led to their splintering into two, making them such an easy target for the other nations to destroy. They failed to acknowledge or confront the Evil within and that lead to their demise.
During the reign of King Solomon, the nation rose to a place of great power and wealth in the world. People from everywhere wanted to be a part of that great nation. King Solomon, in his peak of success, began to believe them invincible. Then, as an act of benevolence; he married women from many nations, expanding his power and influence. Perhaps, believing his own wisdom and greatness would prevail; he allowed them to continue to worship their pagan gods. Instead of standing firm, ultimately; they drew him into their false ideologies, rather than he making certain they learned from his.
It begins that way. The evil within grew; creating a divide that ended in the nation splitting into two. The turned their back on God. First the Northern Kingdom was taken captive and later the Southern Kingdom.
Yet, God remained faithful and drew once more the few who followed Him back to Jerusalem. Despite His faithfulness, the broken walls and the evil within once more could have destroyed them. Then, God sent Nehemiah to build the wall and to restore the nation.
THE EVIL WITHIN
During the late 1800s and throughout the 1900s, our nation thrived. As a nation built upon faith, Christian influence thrived. As a nation, we divided once over slavery; yet, the nation was restored after a bitter civil war. Christian principles won. The Battle Hymn of the Republic stood as their theme song; that God’s truth would march on. The writer of the lyrics, Julia Ward Howe went on to lead the women’s suffrage movement. As a nation under God, we made great strides; yet, once more we see a division rising from evil within. Christians led scientific research and indeed began the institutions of higher learning; believing that a personal God reveals Himself to mankind. Still, with the introduction of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution; many scientists, desiring to remove God from the picture adopted it as law. This began the naturalist scientific movement.
Despite the failure of any experiments, or even fossil imprints proving the theory; the theory was pronounced as though proven and began to be taught as law. Indeed, when the Big Bang Singularity theory was first introduced; the atheistic scientist, tried to prove it wrong. Despite their efforts, proof after proof presented itself; proving that the earth began with one big bang (as already told us in Genesis 1).
At the same time, philosophical movement called the secular humanists took hold. Their first manifesto written in 1933, set the stage. Presenting themselves as a progressive religious alternative; based on the natural inner goodness of mankind without the need of God or His restrictions, they grew in both political power and spread throughout the nation. They strongly believed they could transform all to a greater society by first overtaking the education of the children. Their ideals of sexual freedom and self-actualization drew widespread support.
A NEW AGE OF ENLIGHTMENT—THE OLD EVIL WITHIN
Wanting to believe that humans have evolved to a place of goodness, even the Christians embraced their ideals. This has led us to where we are as a nation-divided by ideals. Before we can confront the evil within, we must understand this ideology. Is it too late to confront it? That is a question we must ask ourselves. God is a gracious and loving God, who reaches out to each and every human. The question is will we listen? Just as God restored Israel in Nehemiah’s time, will He restore us as a nation? That depends on us.
God said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Over the course of the next few posts, I want to tell you more about the evil within; and present to you an argument as to why the Christian worldview is superior. Only if we understand how we allowed this in and seek the truth of God’s word, can we be restored both individually and as a nation. We need to learn from Nehemiah, how to be restored.
Concluding Thoughts
Before we can confront the evil within our nation, we must first confront the evil within our own hearts. God, in His Grace, Mercy and Love has provided a way of our salvation through Jesus Christ, His son. Let us turn to Him. We must return to God’s word. Through prayer and Bible study we can grow. Never forsake your time with Him; because, all too quickly the evil grows within our own hearts. Never forget:
For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish; but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
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WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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