These are indeed difficult days.  We see almost every institution of society falling apart.  The credibility of our government is in shambles.  Our economy and our unemployment outlook defy solutions.  You would think that by now we would have our education system working correctly.  There is little respect for the Constitution of the United States.  Our leaders lie to us.

Slowly but surely our national blessings are eroding away.  Do you often find yourself saying that another one of your favorite products is no longer to be found on the store shelves?  Worse yet, does it seem that there is little or no justice in the courts?

“Judgment is turned away backward, and justice stands afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.”  (Isaiah 59:14)

“Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.”  (Hosea 4:1)

What about some of the other institutions that once made America great?  Like marriage and the family?  Like industry and mining?  Like shipping and transportation?  The list could go on and on – but which of these is trending better and which is getting worse day by day.

What about faith, morals and religion?  In America today, even these stalwarts of society do not rank as highly as they once did.  Now, here’s a question that strikes close to home:  What about your own value system?  What is important to you?  What do you stand for?  What, if anything, would you die for?  If you do not stand for anything in particular, could that indicate the serious problem of standing for nothing? 

God described America and the Israelitish nations in the last days.  The Holy One of Israel, Jesus Christ Himself, singles out the sins of national leaders, the justice departments, religious leaders, and all the way down to the man on the street.

“Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.  Why should ye be stricken anymore? Ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.”  (Isaiah 1:4-6)

Men fail to take a stand when they lack faith.  Jesus asked the question, “Will I find faith when I return.”  (Luke 18:8)  And the strange thing is that He does not answer the question for us.  That’s because it is up to us as to whether or not there will be any faith on earth when Jesus returns.  But, as we continue in Isaiah, God does describe where we are headed if we continue the course we are on. 

“Your country is desolate; your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.”  (Isaiah 1:7)

Since, according to this Scripture, it does not look like attempts to secure our borders will be successful – perhaps it is time to stand for something.  What do you stand for?  Who among us are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth’s sake?   We have all heard the old adage: For evil to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing.

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Sermon:

"What Do You Stand For"