Superlatives! America

Every man hunts his brother with a net,
That they may successfully do evil with both hands.
The prince asks for gifts,
The judge seeks a bribe,
And the great man utters his evil desire;
So they scheme together.

Micah 7:2-3 (NKJV)

This is the rejoicing city that dwelt securely, that said in her heart, 'I am it, and there is none besides me.' How has she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down?

Zephaniah 2:15 (NKJV)

But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power... Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 3:1-5, 7 (NKJV)

The United States of America is seen as a superlative nation: Earth’s superpower, freedom’s foundation. But are we? At this Devotion’s writing…

Our staggering national debt exceeds $32,000,000,000,000. A thirty-two trillion dollar debt load doesn’t sound much like freedom’s foundation.

  • One in eight Americans gets food stamps.

  • 12% of us live in poverty.

  • 100 million live in healthcare debt.

  • 21 million live with addiction.

As a nation, do we still think 'We’re it'? Christian best-selling book, The Harbinger, predicts a grievously painful future based on Christians not acting like Jesus. Has God removed His hedge of protection? If pride was Lucifer's principle sin, and he and his rebellion were cast down... 

What about us? Are we prideful Christians? Can honest-to-God believers BE PROUD?

By clinging to our proud superlatives, by considering ourselves as the strongest, richest, holiest, and most beautiful, is God letting us see how wrong we are?

  • 'The lofty looks of man shall be humbled; The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day' (Isaiah 2:11).

  • 'For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled' (Luke 18:14).

Superlatives! America (Part 7)

NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban