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Is this the end of the United States? A news channel featured a program recently and posed the question: “Is this the end of the United States?” It is not an outrageous question. In our own time, we have seen the sudden disappearance of the Soviet Union as that massive superpower broke into numerous fragments. The Third Reich, which seemed unstoppable, died in writhing agony. History is replete with powers and empires that once ruled the land or the sea yet came to an ignominious end. By most accounts, the U. S. economy is in the worst condition since the Great Depression. We are fighting two wars in two nations that appear to have no immediate end in sight. The local newspapers have almost no want ads listed in the classifieds. Major corporations are needing welfare just to survive and there is no guarantee that, in the long term, they will. Bank failures are up. So are bankruptcies, business failures, home foreclosures, and unemployment. On Sept. 11, 2001, we discovered that one series of terrorist attacks can disrupt the economy and bring it almost to its knees. The perpetrator of these attacks is still walking alive and free and is likely planning and scheming to commit additional murderous and diabolical deeds. The President is ending his term as a very unpopular man, and politicians, national and local, are winding up in news reports that are revealing their hypocrisy, immorality, and corruption. The Congress is held in virtual contempt by American voters. The simple truth is that, yes, we may be partakers and witnesses to the death throes of the American republic. Or not. It is too soon to tell, but the possibility does exist. It is a grim thought that my three sons, their wives, and especially their 10, soon to be 11, children may live in an America that is radically different than the country that exists today. The grandchildren may even live in a nation that is no longer a land of “united states,” but one that has degenerated into factionalism, “Balkanism,” socialism, and a land plagued by incidents of terrorism. The nation hopes that a new President, a new Congress, and new policies will effect positive change and lift us up to greatness once again. But, again, there is no guarantee. “Some trust in horses,” the Bible says, “and some in chariots, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7 NIV). There was a day when the nation would have echoed that sentiment, but that day is no more — at least not for now. Today, we put our trust in horses, chariots, the military, celebrities, bail-out programs, lottery tickets, politicians — anything BUT the “name of the Lord our God.” For those who still believe, however, there is still reason to hope. “... 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” (2 Chron. 7:14 NASB). Perhaps our national leaders can still learn a truth from the greatest king to ever sit upon the throne of ancient Israel. The great warrior-king David wrote: “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (Psalm 37:25 KJV). The key, of course, is it is the righteous — those in right standing and relationship to God — who both have and hold the keys to hope. If we continue to misplace our trust and continue to act as if there is no God who governs the nations and allows people to reap what they have sown, then, like ancient Israel, we must prepare our children to dwell in a land in which we they will be strangers. Because the land they now know may no longer exist. [David Epps serves as a bishop to the Diocese of the Mid-South, encompassing Georgia and Tennessee. He is also the founding pastor of Christ the King Church, 4881 Hwy. 34 E., Sharpsburg, GA 30277, between Peachtree City and Newnan. Services are held Sundays at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Bishop Epps is also the mission pastor of Christ the King Church in Champaign, IL. He may be contacted at frepps@ctkcec.org.] login to post comments | Father David Epps's blog
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