Who Will Mentor The Next Generation?

Forgetfulness is not at all strange in the human individual. A slight distraction can cause some of us to forget what we were doing just seconds before our attention got redirected. Or some could suffer from it simply as a function of age.

But can a nation be forgetful? Apparently, it can. God’s Word even warns against it:

If you start thinking to yourselves, "I did all this. And all by myself. I'm rich. It's all mine!"- well, think again. Remember that GOD, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors--as it is today.

If you forget, forget GOD, your God, and start taking up with other gods, serving and worshiping them, I'm on record right now as giving you firm warning: that will be the end of you; I mean it--destruction. You'll go to your doom--the same as the nations GOD is destroying before you; doom because you wouldn't obey the Voice of GOD, your God. (Deuteronomy 8:17-20 MsgB)

Does America remember that it exists by God’s power?

From one man he has made every nation of humanity to live all over the earth. He has given them the seasons of the year and the boundaries within which to live. (Acts 17:26 GW)

Does America remember that God distributes national blessings?

He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them. (Job 12:23 NIV)

Does America remember that it exists for God’s glory?

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. (Colossians 1:16 NIV)

Depending on which side of the culture wars you are on, you will likely either answer “yes” or say, “these are ridiculous questions”. In our time, the categorical "yes" that many would like to give in answer to these questions would also confound many.

The Problem.

What is America’s problem? Why this disparity in the nation’s consciousness?

While the disparity is easily discerned, America’s problems run deeper:

• We are unthankful to God. We think that we got to be the greatest nation in the world because of what we can do.

• We are disobedient to God. We think nothing of killing unborn babies, unnatural relationships, teaching children to disregard their parents’ authority, murdering the helpless, worshiping career, money and addictions.

• We are apathetic. We think the next person will do what needs to be done so we could lay back and things will turn out alright.

• We are disunited. Among Christians alone, there are hundreds of denominations in the U.S.

The Solution

What is the solution?

The highest calling of every single American is to pray.

...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 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)

“If my people...” We humbly admit that we do not have the answer. But then we go to the One who has. America, as a nation, exists to reflect God’s glory. God does not exist to bless America.

"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. (Matthew 5:13 MsgB)

The need to repent is of utmost importance. How we model and act in the present will determine the shape and form of the future. The nation’s future rests in our young. Left to the world, the unthankfulness, the disobedience, the apathy and the disunity will become their way of life.

God makes us responsible for mentoring the next generation.