Will God Bless

America?

Will God Bless

America?

Habakkuk 1:1-4Habakkuk 1:1-41 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2 O Jehovah, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? I cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save. 3 Why dost thou show me iniquity, and look upon perverseness? for destruction and violence are before me; and there is strife, and contention riseth up. 4 Therefore the law is slacked, and justice doth never go forth; for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore justice goeth forth perverted.

Prophet Questions God’s DelayProphet Questions God’s DelayWhy did God not judge Judah for evil?

Violence, iniquity & perverseness present Law not respected & justice perverted Wicked allowed advantage over righteous Rightly understood these things cause judging

God promised from start to judge nation if they became unfaithful (Deut. 27 & 28)

When evil continues, judgment is certain, but timing is not

Habakkuk 1:5-11Habakkuk 1:5-115 Behold ye among the nations, and look, and wonder marvellously; for I am working a work in your days, which ye will not believe though it be told you. 6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, that march through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling-places that are not theirs. 7 They are terrible and dreadful; their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves. 8 Their horses also are swifter than leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves; and their horsemen press proudly on: yea, their horsemen come from far; they fly as an eagle that hasteth to devour. 9 They come all of them for violence; the set of their faces is forwards; and they gather captives as the sand. 10 Yea, he scoffeth at kings, and princes are a derision unto him; he derideth every stronghold; for he heapeth up dust, and taketh it. 11 Then shall he sweep by as a wind, and shall pass over, and be guilty, even he whose might is his god.

God Reveals His Work in JudgingGod Reveals His Work in JudgingGod was already acting to bring Chaldeans

Babylonians were a “bitter & hasty nation” Known for their ruthlessness & destruction Would come for violence, plunder & captives Military might was overwhelming to Judah

God knew His work would not be understood by prophet or others (Hab. 1:5)

Yet, God knew it was the proper action to accomplish His purpose

Habakkuk 1:12-17Habakkuk 1:12-1712 Art not thou from everlasting, O Jehovah my God, my Holy One? we shall not die. O Jehovah, thou hast ordained him for judgment; and thou, O Rock, hast established him for correction. 13 Thou that art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and that canst not look on perverseness, wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy peace when the wicked swalloweth up the man that is more righteous than he; 14 and makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? 15 He taketh up all of them with the angle, he catcheth them in his net, and gathereth them in his drag: therefore he rejoiceth and is glad. 16 Therefore he sacrificeth unto his net, and burneth incense unto his drag; because by them his portion is fat, and his food plenteous. 17 Shall he therefore empty his net, and spare not to slay the nations continually?

Prophet Questions God’s ChoicesProphet Questions God’s ChoicesProphet correctly understood God’s character

God is from everlasting (eternal, not finite) God is holy, pure & takes no pleasure in evil God’s power is absolute & certain in its effect

Question: Why does God choose nation more wicked to judge Judah (Hab. 1:13)?

God never answered that question of prophetBut answer must partly involve place Judah had as a nation

uniquely blessed by God

Nations Exalted by RighteousnessNations Exalted by RighteousnessProverbs show need for righteousness in nation

Prov. 14:34 Righteousness exalts nation Prov. 11:11 City exalted by the upright Prov. 16:12 Throne established by righteous Prov.25:5 Throne established as wicked removed Prov. 28:2 Understanding & knowledge prolong Prov. 29:14 Faithful judgment secures rule

Principle true in God’s kingdom (Isa. 54:14)People & leaders both must be righteous

Nations Judged for WickednessNations Judged for WickednessVerified in God’s dealings throughout time

Dan. 4:28-33 Dealing with Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 5:17-31 Dealing with Belshazzar Prophecies against nations filled with examples Judah & Israel both destroyed because of evil Book of Revelation shows same in gospel age

Principle remains true today just as in pastGod gave government a place (Rom. 13:1-4)If government fails in this, God will judge

Brings The QuestionTo Our Minds...

Will God Bless

America?

Will God Bless

America?

Points to Help Answer QuestionPoints to Help Answer QuestionWe all hope, pray & request God’s blessingMust remember blessing not assured by...

Our desires, our prayers or our thoughts of right The relative goodness of nation by comparison Wickedness of enemies faced by this nation

Several factors must also be recognized... God demands more of those given more God judges more harshly those who first call on Him & then

depart from righteousness God can raise up any nation to do His will

Safety is found in righteousness, not power

If God Continues to Bless America...If God Continues to Bless America...

We must return to upholding righteousness Growing tolerance of sin must be reversed Must seek righteousness over material wealth Justice must be served & evil must be punished

We must use our blessings to serve God Material wealth must go to His cause, not self Freedom must be used to serve, not to feed lust

Greater opportunity = Greater responsibility