Today while reading Isaiah chapter 3, I felt such a deep concern for
the world and especially the United States of America because this passage, along with so many others, reflects much of the culture of our day. It also underscores God’s justification for bringing or allowing the same type of judgement upon us as He pronounced over Israel during that time.
The Old Testament is full of God’s dealings with Israel to turn them from their sin, idolatry, and immorality. In His mercy, He continually sent prophets to warn them of their impending judgement if they did not repent and turn back to Him (Jeremiah 25:4; 44:4). We are seeing this played out today, as He is releasing prophetic warning after prophetic warning through His anointed servants.
Although, much of what is being released on YouTube and other media outlets is aimed at sensationalism, fear, and click-bait, there are true men and women of God using these platforms to warn America, and especially the Church, to wake up.
Mercy Definition
Let’s look at the definition of mercy once again.
The word mercy is defined as “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.” Mercy is when God does not give us what we deserve and restrains Himself from punishing us as we warrant.
Most honest people who believe in God would undisputedly say we are currently living on God’s mercy here in America and around the world. There has been an increase in immorality and crime, especially in the past 30 years since the development and evolution of personal computers and smart phones.
Explicit images, which used to be a rare thing and not easily accessible to the masses, are now saturating almost every nook and cranny of society through these common devices. It has become a systemic epidemic that has polluted much of the world at an alarming rate.
There has been more trafficking and crime in the past 25 years than at any other time in history, and according to scripture it will only get worse as men choose darkness over light, ungodliness over godliness, sin over righteousness, immorality over purity and holiness.
Our ONLY hope for America and the world is God’s mercy. We do not deserve His goodness, His kindness, or any of His benefits. We have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8).
God is so forgiving when individuals and nations turn to Him with sincere humility and repentance.
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
One classic example of God’s mercy is found in the book of Jonah. God sent Jonah to Nineveh to warn the people of their impending demise because of their wickedness.
Jonah proclaimed the prophetic warning, and the people believed and repented with fasting and crying out to God for mercy. The end result was God withholding His judgement and sparing the land (Jonah 3:1-10).
America and much of the world has celebrated and been entertained by the sins God’s Son died to forgive. His death on the cross was not so we could be entertained by the filth being portrayed on screens across the land, whether by TV, movie theaters, smart phones, tablets, or computer monitors. He died to deliver us from evil, not give us an endorsement to wallow in it.
A fairly recent survey was done by Proven Men Ministries among 388 nationally representative self-identified Christian Men. The survey found 77% of the men between 18 and 30 looked at porn at least monthly, and at least 36% on a daily basis. It also found 77% of the men between the ages of 31 to 49 looked at porn while at work within the past 3 months.
The issue is not with men only. Another statistic states that 35% of porn viewers in 2021 were women, and at least 15% of Christian women said they watched porn at least once a month.
If these statistics are true, it underscores the weak and desperate state of the church across our nation. Something must change, or our nation will continue to decline much like the Roman empire did before its fall. The nation suffered from numerous internal and external crises and had plummeted into gross immorality with its hedonistic culture.
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34
Jesus said it was adultery to look at a woman with lust, so how could He wink at the filth being seen by millions every day in the secret of their homes? How can God continue to bless us as a nation, if we are bent on following this destructive path? Yes, He is merciful, but He is also just and must deal with unrepented sin (Revelation 2:5, 16, 21)
If you are struggling in this area, repent and turn to God for His mercy, deliverance, and help. Then, submit yourself to trusted friends, and godly counselors for their accountability and safety. Ministries like Proven Men Ministries, for men, or Covenant Eyes, and Pure Desire for Women can be a useful source of support.
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14
Let us seek the Father’s face for His mercy and grace in this season. We have turned a corner in history which demands us to be sober and wise. Unless there is a certain intervention of God, we are on a pathway toward widespread devastation and misery in like manner as the nation of Israel experienced in days of old.
Folks, this is not fearmongering, it is true. God is no respecter of persons or nations. If He judged Israel, He will also judge other nations.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
God’s mercy will triumph over judgement (James 2:13), if we repent and turn to Him with all of our heart (Joel 2:12-14).
We’ll continue our study on the mercy of God next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ bless and keep you.
James Brown
CST 10/09/2024