Good article! I think this is why we will always be disappointed and disillusioned if we put our faith and hope in any country, government, or political system. By all means we should vote, be involved in our communities, and support those who serve our country, etc., but I think the danger comes when we look for a kind of heaven on earth that will be ushered in by a certain political party or leader. It’s part of America’s lore at this point to be a “city on a hill,” but I don’t know if it’s truly fitting to apply that phrase to a country. I love that the Bible was so influential in the founding of America—I think biblical morality has played a huge part in making this country the great country it is, but I think it’s only the church and God’s people that can be a city on a hill or a light in the darkness.
I think that’s a really important point.
It does feel like it’s easy to place hope in bigger systems or leaders and then feel let down when things don’t turn out the way we expected. That can contribute to that sense of “darkness” people talk about.
For me, it helps to bring it back to smaller, everyday things, how we treat people, how we show up, the kind of presence we bring into situations. That feels more tangible than trying to fix something on a larger scale.
I’ve felt America is getting lighter. 2021-2024 were so Demonic, but I feel like it is getting better.
Even the godliest of us view life through basic presuppositions. Dispensational premillennialism is a hard one to bounce back from. David Wilkerson’s radar was sharply tuned to hear the negative components of God’s perspective on the day – but it was also tuned in such a way as to filter out the positive side, the solutions. Wilkerson had a powerful ministry – but no vision for the future. Struggled with terrible depression. And drove in front of a lumber truck with his seatbelt unfastened.
His unconscious commitment to the failure of the Gospel led him to sell the Teen Challenge ranch, for a pittance, to a ministry that DID “expect great things from God” and “attempt great things for God” – Youth With A Mission. YWAM’s founder, Loren Cunningham, was also an AoG minister. But one who did NOT summon men to battle by first conceding the war. Who did NOT peddle that doom ‘n’ gloom snake oil of “Christian” despair.
And for all his God-attuned heart, Brother David overlooked the powerful reformation that began in the early 1980’s, and is going stronger than ever today. God will not be without a witness. He will always have a remnant. Although some of us wail our jeremiads to uncaring audiences, most of us are called to pour our attentions into our families and callings. To raise, in Rick Boyer’s words, a “self-perpetuating godly generation.”
Yes, God’s judgement is in operation. So, too, however, is His grace. And I believe that, if we pay attention to our Bibles and our assigned tasks, God will guide us through.