Does God Really Have a ‘Special’ Relationship with America?

God may not have a special relationship with the USA, but I don't see anything wrong with hoping and praying that he would.

My prayer is that God will have mercy on America. My prayer is that God will show himself merciful to this sinful and perverted people. My prayer is that God will relate to us in such a way that we will come running to him and away from our selves and away from our sin. My prayer is that God will baptize his church with the Holy Spirit one more time in power and in fire that we may work the works of God in this day.

Thank God, I thought I was the only one here on SI who kept emphasizing the point that America is not a Christian nation nor does it enjoy any special privilege. I find many posts even from the Godly people in this forum more patriotic than spiritual when it comes to America. I think it is in their blood to believe that America is special to God and it is a Christian nation etc.

I am thankful to the root that America has and how it sent missionaries to other parts of the world. But in New Covenant, God is not calling Christians to make a nation on the earth for themselves. He is calling them out of nations. So we should always be willing to come out of US, no matter how much America has provided for you.

Also I do not believe calling America to Repent is a Biblical statement. In New Covenant, no nation is called to repent. Jesus called only the Churches in those nations to repent in revelation. There were no letters to churches.

In Short New Covenant life is for individuals to be lead by the Spirit. We cannot expect a nation itself to be lead by God's spirit.

When there is revival In a nation, God does certainly have a special relationship with that nation.

"Does God Really Have a ‘Special’ Relationship with America?"

I don't know if he does or not, but I do know America needs a special relationship with God, and we need it today in Jesus mighty name.

Brother Jeff you make a very valid point!

I totally disagree with the findings and or purpose of this article; and while I'm by no means a nationalist or even politically minded, the facts are indisputable and all the denial in the world won't change them even if it's by a "Christian magazine".
What other nation has (other than Israel) been dedicated to the purposes of God from its founding?
What other nation has put God in such a central framework regarding its trust in Him?
Now in no way am I suggesting we have been the best stewards of this nation or her God given giftings, however to cynically suggest that God is beyond having a "special" relationship with a nation is borderline blasphemous!
I mean does He not say, "draw near to me and I will draw near unto you"? That sounds special to me considering the alternative...
Are we seriously suggesting here,in agreement with this article, that God has given up on "nation healing"? And that to do so would be to go backwards?!! And then tries to draw comparisons in Galatians and makes old covenant references?!
What other nation sends as many missionaries?
What other nation spends as much on foreign aid?
What other nation exalts the bible in their political and judicial proceedings?

If thess few things aren't evidence that the nation in question at least "had" a special relationship with God I can't imagine what would?

I would post the link but do not want to violate the terms of SermonIndex forums so for all who may be unaware or just missed it, one can easily find both the video and transcripts in Charismanews of Johnathan Cahn's speech on Capital Hill a few months ago.
He puts forth a decidedly different perspective replete with dates/facts and other historical data both secular and biblical.
Or a Google search will render the video which is 8:51 so it's short and to the point.

As an outsider, but one who often visits the USA I would say the distinction between America the nation and the Church IN America is confused and taken as one and the same by many.

Let's be clear in our thinking, yes a nation can be blessed when the church has influence upon it's laws and society and judgment may be withheld due to the presence of the righteous (e.g. Sodom and Lot). However it is not the 'nation' that is righteous or sends out missionaries, or preaches the gospel, it is the church IN that nation. Also revival comes to the church and folk are added to it from the nation. The nation does not get revived as such. (Edit: add:) A revival happens IN a nation. When folk get revived and saved they become part of a new nation, the Kingdom of God.

Separation of Church and State seems to have lost over the years in the thinking of many. Only the church has a special relationship with God (through Christ), not any nation of this world.

There is zero biblical reason to see a special relationship between God and any nation now EXCEPT when God expressly defines and selects a nation for His specific use. Biblically, He did select nations for such a relationship.

After the Scriptures, however, we are wildly speculative whenever we "see" such a relationship, and we have no authority on which to base our speculation. That does not mean God has not used a nation for His glory, but that can be any nation in any time frame for any of His particular situational activity.

America has no foundation "in God". Certain leaders *cited* God as inspiration for thheir noble thoughts, but they did not thereby create a special "God and country" relationship. God has one royal nation--the church. He is bringing Jew and Gentile to it even now. In every place, He still orchestrates circumstances so that some will hear and believe the testimony of Jesus.

It is no argument that Americans have allied with Israel, sent missionaries, funded evangelism, etc. as proof of special relationship with America. In Christ, we have no resume. He alone is our Qualifier. To the extent He has sovereignly chosen to use people in the US for these ends is to His glory and says nothing of merit about America itself.

Hi All

one of the strongest things that God taught me was that as a christian my birth and blood nationality no longer mattered as i am "neither Jew nor Gentile" i am a christian which makes me "no longer of this world" at first i didn't understand this as i was proud of my country but later i realized that their is a judgement that came from my own heart to other countries that did not reach the same standards thus creating a barrier spiritually and an arrogance towards equality.

America has had many true holy spirit filled preachers that have advanced the witness of the gospel but it has also spread some of the most devastating filth to which the world has ever seen. I know because the country i live in follows and adopts everything that America does. Drugs, porn, musical influence, false christian teachings that rape the prosperity of those that are sick and the worst one of all, Narcissism.

In saying this i love all people as much as any other and it is my hope that in all the western worlds God will raise up men to speak out against this filth in their countries and whilst this happens a great revival and reaping follow.

which is more in favor with God those that are loyal to something created or those that are loyal to the creator. Every one wants to be the chosen race, Christians are the chosen race and God will bless their lands because of faithful Christians that stand up against sin. The world is dying due to the fall of man that is why we have a new world waiting for us and i doubt very much that we will stand before the lord as representatives of the countries that we lived in but rather our own hearts towards him.

Australia has been a very blessed country due to christian principles embedded in our nation but over the last 30 years these have been ripped out one by one by different political groups. Many Australians don't even realize that the parliament house was designed by new age believes that incorporated a part of its structure as a pyramid to bring their spirituality into a Government.

no offense intended at all, so please don't take it that way. I come onto sermon index not because it comes from America but in the hope to fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ, the testimonies from others in different countries is education to my heart of what God is doing.

Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Nation=Gowy
n m
nation, people
nation, people
usually of non-Hebrew people
of descendants of Abraham
of Israel
of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)
n pr m
Goyim? = "nations"

Does this not sound like a special relationship?

JFW, Israel was the only nation whose God was the LORD. (All caps from the verse, not me yelling.) "I will be your God and you will be my people." Lev. 26:12. Jeremiah 30 also looks to a day to come when the remnant of Israel will turn again and serve God and His enthroned King on David's seat, Jesus. There again He says this statement of being the God of the nation Israel. And He will be the God of all of Israel, including the grafted in Gentile church, made partakers of the promises of God with Israel, a holy nation made one in Him.

Other than this, nations as nations cannot unilaterally declare God as their LORD. And, the United States has, in spite of its sputtering declarations about God, has never been made by God to be His nation. Never. Some early forbears certainly seemed to think so, and some people do still. But it is made up of whole and imaginary cloth.

Has God graced America? No doubt. Did He create America? As He has all nations. Does His promise of eternal life in Christ for those who repent and obey the Gospel extend here? Praise God, YES! John 1:12. But, we are in no special national standing before God.

Well Dear Brother it seems we disagree on this one, as this scripture and the historic record read differently to me.

However I can wholeheartedly share with the sentiment and join you in your intinal prayerful response:)

Btw what did you think of Johnathan's speech?

If we look to the examples in Scripture found in the book of Judges. One will see that there is a nation, and that there are generations within that nation. And God works in each generation to separate a people unto Himself. And as in the book of Deuteronomy, Moses describes the blessing and curses that come upon a generation within a nation. The word of God is powerful and not without effect throughout the generations of His creation.

So when God and not man brings revival to a generation with in a nation, one will see that there are blessings that are promised.

In my short life time I have seen what God has done in Southern California during the Hippie days. I have seen the Word of God transform the multitude of cultures and bring unity through the Calvary Chapel generation. Gang bangers, hippies, stuffy old white people, all fall in love with God and as a consequence of the love for God learn to love one another. When God brings revival, God establishes favor on that people in that generation.

I now live in central Pennsylvania, and everywhere I go, over the next hill, there is an old Methodist church standing as a altar to the work God once did in a generation long past. When one sees all these old old churches one should be able to see that God blessed a generation or two in a special way. The salt of that blessing is passing like in the days of the Judges.

Contemplate the revival history of the past in this country, it was not man that created it. It was and is God who establishes His new works in new wine skins. The old wine skins cannot contain new wine. God is looking for a new generation of people who will become the new wine skins.

Rookie, I agree with you that God has moved in various times to bring His sovereign revival. But that does not equate to, or point to America being a particularly special nation. God has been moving sovereignly in China in revival bring multitudes into new life. Does this mean that China is a nation in a special relationship with God? I would suggest not!

JFW, The psalmist you quoted "blessed is the nation whoes God is the LORD" is clearly meaning the nation of Israel, not any nation. As has been pointed out, only Israel can claim to be a 'nation' whom God chosse to put His name. Today He puts His name on the church of Jesus Christ, it would be blasphemous to suggest He would transfer His glory from His church to an earthly nation.

Hello brother Dave,
I can respect your position all the while take a different position.
For me when I hear Johnathan's speech or read the historic record of Washington's inaugural address,to which he refers, I cannot but think and infer that this country was indeed brought into existence for the purposes of God.
Meaning that from what I read and can understand , this country was in fact unilaterally dedicated to and brought into existence for the purposes of God.
And as Jonathan makes point of in his speech, this was affirmed and reaffirmed both publicly and thru historical record and is for me, an undeniable fact of history.
So yes I believe that actually happened and God honored that and has done a most marvelous thing in and thru this country like no other on earth save Israel herself.
Now as brother Jeff points out and I (for what it's worth) agree that the Lord is seeking a new wine skin, a new generation who will humble themselves and let Him use them to bring glory to His Son and "shine as stars in the universe as they hold out the words of life to a depraved and crooked generation".

I hope this helps to clarify and that you don't find my words/thoughts blasphemous brother as that is certainly not my intent.

I understand the sentiment of it. I pray that American Christians lose that sentiment.

Jefferson denied the divinity, virgin birth miracles and resurrection of Jesus.

Washington refused throughout his life to receive communion and would not remain in the service while his wife partook.

By the early 1830's, some preachers in New England had taken to lamenting that not one President to that time was a professing Christian.

My point is not to harass history. This country was founded and set upon its course by God. He turns the hearts of kings like a river. But a large plurality or majority of them were not Christian men as the bible defines it.

I am not a Cahn critic. He has a a particular use for them as he sells books about mysteries and codes, etc. I have no particular use for them in light of the times.

Brother Tim,
I can agree to that as your point is well received.
Also I too have never read any of this mans writings and was completely unaware of him prior to this speech.
Btw I appreciate the grace you've shown me here and tho I have opinions they are not all set in stone and am certainly still learning:)

We both love the people around us. We both love them and are deeply troubled by their rejection of God. And we both want them to run to Him.

Way I see it you have the SE corner of the state and I have the NW corner. With a little help from Anniston, Tuscaloosa and maybe Scottsboro, we can pray the whole state to Jesus!!! 😄🙏

Nationalistic feelings, patriotism are just idols in our heart. Our nation can easily become idol in our heart. I am equally prone to this as well. As an Indian by nationality, when I hear about the terrorism encouraged by Pakistan, I often get into this spirit that why not destroy this nation of terrorism by bringing fire? But as Jesus warned his disciples, I need to check my spirit as well. My spirit is not right with God when I entertain such nationalistic feelings.

The more I grow in my Christian life, I am moved away from such nationalistic thoughts.

I appreciate your words and thoughts on this subject Sreeram.
You're not the only one on the board that feels the same way.
Its a sensitive one and i have a difficult time in speaking to others about
the patriotism, politics issue cause they get so 'passionate' about it. I've seen it destroy home fellowships. Thats the fruit of it to me.

In our fellowship, one fellow was an engineer for the government and has a grandson who just finished airborne school at the top of his class and is a West Point cadet.

Another served as an MP in Afghanistan and suffered a miserable medical malpractice at the hands of the Army that will effect him for life and spent almost a full year at Walter Reed because they massively, accidentally overdosed him with a medicine.

Both men are patriots in their own right. Both are honorable. Both realize the spiritual condition of our nation. Both of them certainly do not see things as I do about the matter.

They will vote. They will pick a candidate. They will hope against hope that their candidate will make things better. I won't do any of that.

The ability to walk together does not depend on our agreement about how to vote or how to be political or whether to do it at all. And, since all of us know we have no home and no real citizenry here, the Holy Spirit having made the reality of Himself clear to us, we press toward Him. The politics of things are left aside because they are burdens and hindrances. My hope is that we ALL eventually lay all such hindrances aside. I know I am hindered by some things I have not even become aware of yet. I am sure of it.

No reason to let these things divide genuine believers.

God has people of every tribe and nation and tongue. He is no longer running a nationalistic program, or rather he has now revealed the truth of the eternal heavenly nation, which is his kingdom filled with his righteousness. There is no such thing as a Christian nation, although there are nations that have been influenced by Christianity and I would agree that the United States and several other nations qualify for that, or at least have in the past. It will be interesting to see how much influence Christianity has on China and India over the next couple of generations. But again, that is just a question of influence, and even that is rather subjectively defined. Some analyses show that there are pagan nations that are more "Christian" than so-called Christian nations. But, to settle the question, Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world . . . from this realm." We should listen to the Lord and his Apostles, who preached a different nation, "one in which righteousness dwells".

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance." (Psalm 33:12)

The only nation in scripture that God had a special relationship with is the nation of Israel. God said over and over again that He would make it a great nation.

There was a time when America had a Christian world view. God was honored in our nation, in our culture, in our schools, and even in our government.

The enemy wants to remove God from every area of our culture and this is what we see happening in America today.

The Church has not been the salt and the light that God has called us to be. The enemy has successfully divided the Church as he has divided the nation.

America has been blessed by God because we have blessed the nation of Israel.

The truth is that we are citizens of another Kingdom. Our citizenship is in heaven. Our goal should not be to make America a better place so that we can live comfortably, but to pray the prayer of the Kingdom that "Thy Kingdom Come that Will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

God put us here in this land to advance the Kingdom of God wherever we live.

The Church must take personal responsibility for what is going on in America. As intercessors we cry out to God and confess our sins and the sins of our nation.

There will be judgement coming on this nation, and God is using President Obama to bring judgement on America.

God's promises are true, and we will continue to see greater darkness coming upon this nation. However there is a remnant of overcomers that will walk in the power and authority of God, and will continue to pray and intercede for revival and awakening.

Going back to the article submitted by Gregg:

The following point is made:

The author establishes some foundation for his article from the book of Job and and states the following conclusion:

"Scripture leads us away from this idea that God has a special relationship with the United States””or any other contemporary nation-state for that matter."

Is this true?

I mean does the Scripture teach that God has not established "any-other contemporary nation-state" , that "has a special relationship" with Him?

Brother Jeff,
I honestly believe He does and have been upfront about that, all the while I cannot deny the points brother Tim (and other saints) brought out about the personal history/practices of the aforementioned founders and therefore agree with his facts concerning them. However the if the same standard was applied to the imperfect men with whom the covenant was established through on behalf of Israel, they would not measure up either.
Having said this it seemed appropriate for me to let it go as minds are made up on so many things like this and often truth gets sacrificed on the altar of consensus.
Personally I found the logic of the article lacking and the illustration of Christ draped in an American flag to be mocking and quite inappropriate for one whom claims His name even if it is to make a statement.
But to answer your question, as I see it people make up a nation/state and when you have people who give themselves to His hand, He indeed blesses them and the nation in which they reside. The scriptures are replete with such instances and while they are conditional they are nonetheless clearly present.
From King Asa taking down the idols from the high places to the positive, to Lot being the only "righteous man" who would pray to the negative, to Jonah and Nineveh there is clearly evidence that God blesses entire nations.
Many will say this doesn't apply in the new covenant tho I would disagree but it's not in my heart to fight about it.

Fletcher,

You make some good points. God will bless
a person, a home, a city, state or nation
that repents of sin, and welcomes the
presence of God.

Is it possible for a nation to turn to God?
When true revival comes and men become
aware and conscious of God, repentance
takes place, and there is change and
transformation in the region where the
presence of God is manifested.

There is coming a time when the kingdoms
of this world will be taken over by the
Kingdom of God.

It will be interesting to see how much influence Christianity has on China and India over the next couple of generations.

I can talk for India, the Hindu religious leaders here are scared at the growth of Christianity. They only look into the government projected numbers for Christian growth, which are much lower than what the reality. In reality, there are many who are Christians like I who are not visible to the country as Christian. I have not registered my conversion, I do not find the need to do it as well. When I travel in road, I see at least 1 in 4 Cars having a Bible verse at the back.

Some analyses show that there are pagan nations that are more "Christian" than so-called Christian nations.

For example in India, the supreme court has passed an order stating homosexual act itself is a punishable act. But no arrests have been made yet. Let us compare this to the US supreme court decision to allow gay marriages. We will know that pagan nations are more Christian than So called Christian nations. This proves a point that no nation can survive by Christian values, these values are given for people not for nation to follow.

As Gregg posted this article for discussion:

I find that in today's generations, generations that have been educated in the public schools, generations that have been influenced by entertainment, generations that have been formed by the incessant flood of media; that few ever really want to go into a more thoughtful discussion of what any article or media segment is actually teaching or influencing. The author of this article presents a very confused and inaccurate understanding of Scripture. He draws conclusions that he himself according to what he taught about in his reference to the book of Job, said we should not do.

Through the exercise of using Scripture, we are trained to discern what is good and recognize what is evil.

Scripture teaches that God's promises are true and everlasting...so in the Scriptures we find that there are nations that will have a special and everlasting relationship with God. What specific nations have this promise?

Rookie,

Israel natural and spiritual.

There is no other.

There is a belief that God "honors" unilateral (meaning "one-sided") declarations of political leaders about their endeavors as being dedicated to God.

No example exists, no promise exists, of any nation from Abraham until now who, through its leaders, dedicated itself to God and entered or remained in a relationship with Him that inured to it the quality of everlasting life or the benefits and duties of His covenant people.

If you find one, I will stand corrected. Even Israel does not qualify because God chose and made covenant with them.

Make the case, please, from Scripture and not conjecture or bootstrapping disparate passages together into an argument of "it must be so". Please give concrete examples of actual biblical text tied to actual biblically historical instances.

Isa 19:20
And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them.

Isa 19:21
Then the LORD will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the LORD and perform it.

Isa 19:22
And the LORD will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the LORD, and He will be entreated by them and heal them.

Isa 19:23
In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians.

Isa 19:24
In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria””a blessing in the midst of the land,

Isa 19:25
whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, "Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”

In this section of Scripture there are three nations who have God's promise. And Christ is the One who establishes the promise.

Hi, Rookie --

I see Isaiah 19. It is a passage worthy of study and discussion.

I don't know if I'm steering off the path you intend by my post. I may be misreading you, and if I do I apologize.

Isaiah 19, though, makes my point.

"No example exists, no promise exists, of any nation from Abraham until now who, through its leaders, dedicated itself to God and entered or remained in a relationship with Him that inured to it the quality of everlasting life or the benefits and duties of His covenant people."

Isaiah 19 is not an example of any nation who, through its leaders, dedicated itself to God and entered into any sort of "special relationship" with God that brought it the benefits and duties of His covenant people.

Isaiah 19 is an example of God's sovereign declaration -- His own unilateral covenant and not one generated by men -- of a particular relationship. As I'd said earlier,

"There is a belief that God 'honors' unilateral (meaning 'one-sided') declarations of political leaders about their endeavors as being dedicated to God. ... Even Israel does not qualify because God chose and made covenant with them."

Brother Tim wrote:

"There is a belief that God 'honors' unilateral (meaning 'one-sided') declarations of political leaders about their endeavors as being dedicated to God. ... Even Israel does not qualify because God chose and made covenant with them."

I am more inclined to stay away from discussing the nature of a covenant established by God over the course of His creation. I would like to stay within the parameters of this article. That is, does God act within a nation to accomplish His will? The article suggests that there will be no nation since the generation when Christ died on the cross that has a unique relationship with God.

In Isaiah 19, we see that in the future there clearly will be 3 nations whom God in His power will bring about what is promised. If it is promised then it will happen.

Tim, you mentioned the idea of "unilateral". Let me ask this, when Abraham took Sarah down into Egypt, to escape the famine, how did God protect Sarah from the local king? This event is in Genesis 20, and the king is Abimelech.

By speaking to Abimelech and telling him Sarah was Abraham's wife and not to touch her.

Bro. Jeff --

First, let me say I enjoy the talk. It is good for us to exercise our minds and hearts to one another like this.

And, it is an important question by you, JFW, and anyone else. If God does have a special relationship with any nation, then believers would seem to have a duty to promote it, right? So, we're not tilting at windmills or scoring rhetorical points. We're searching the Scriptures and whether we land near each other on the issue or we don't, we love each other in Christ and cheer for one another to do good in His name.

Before we reach the question of whether God has a special relationship with America in particular, we have to know if it is God's revealed way to form special relationships with nations (other than Israel and the church) at all, and if He does, how does that occur? With whom? Under what conditions?

I will acknowledge something in hopes that it clarifies my understanding. God can bless a whole nation of unbelievers for the sake of His name through the life of one believer. He can shine through one believer or a handful or a multitude throughout a nation, and He can orchestrate the affairs of a nation for His purposes in those believers and for His purposes in those unbelievers. And, believers can be the beneficiaries of peace and prosperity and socially moralistic conditions.

Thank God that this has been the case in America in my lifetime, and in differing measures during the lifetimes of all here on SI who live in America. I would be heartless and mindless to think otherwise. I'm praying -- as many are, I know -- for a revival in this country, for a repentance that sweeps across the continent, for floods of men and women and children to run to Christ for salvation and rescue and redemption. I am seeking God for that in this nation and in my town. We are seeking it specifically in our home fellowship for our end of the state of Alabama, committing just this past Saturday evening to pray dedicated and focused prayers to that end both together and apart.

I wish I could share with you guys the things that God did in our meeting Saturday night, but I'm going to wait until He gives me a sense of liberty for that. There's unfinished work and much more seeking, I think, and it is just premature to say much. But, in any event, we glorify and thank God for His faithfulness.

The words of A.W. Tozer and even Carter Conlon about the Holy Spirit and our need today to be baptized in the Spirit and power are loudly ringing in my own heart, and I know those thoughts are firmly in all of our minds.

Please, do not think I am anti-American as I discuss these issues of "special relationship". I'm for my lost neighbors and yours, too.

Brother Tim wrote:

"By speaking to Abimelech and telling him Sarah was Abraham's wife and not to touch her."

Yes, we find many times in Scripture where God through the use of dreams instructs individuals in the way that they should go. Yet there is another thing that God did to ensure the safety of Sarah....

Gen 20:6
And God said to him in a dream, "Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

God through His dynamos {power} "withheld" Abimelech "from sinning against" Him. God said to Abimelech, "I did not let you touch her."

We find out how God accomplished this in the following verse...

Gen 20:17
So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children;

Gen 20:18
for the LORD had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

In verse 17, we find that "God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children." God disabled Abimelech physically so that he could not touch Sarah.

I bring this example up to demonstrate as you mentioned, God's work that is "unilateral" in nature. When one looks to the promises God made to Abraham in the beginning, and then in the process of time, we see how God works to show His promise is true and that He is faithful to keep His promise with Abraham and Sarah, we see that God controls the circumstances in life to establish our faith in Him.

In this example, God informs and physically alters a man, "Abimelech" first to protect and then bless Abraham and Sarah. Think about all the events in Scripture where God acts upon individuals, who may not necessarily know God or His ways, to bring a blessing or to protect the ones whom He has made His covenant with.

Do you see how incomprehensible it is to try to fathom the complexities of how God's hand is in everything at every moment of time...

Col 1:16
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

"whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers" These are the things which the article submitted by Gregg, that we should seek to comprehend more fully.

Enough for now...I agree with your statement about how believer's should not lose hope and seek to be salt and light in our communities. Not to forsake the work of influencing this seemingly lost nation. Remember Lot to the very end...sat at the gates of Sodom and preached repentance.

Col 1:16
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Here is a commentary on the above verse, concerning "thrones or dominions or principalities or powers."

Gen 15:13
Then He said to Abram: "Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years.

Gen 15:14
"And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.

Gen 15:15
"Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age.

Gen 15:16
"But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

God spoke to Abraham, giving him insight into the nature of His promise to him. In the span of some 4 centuries, God in His "unilateral" sovereignty will, moment by moment, control the affairs of His creation in a way that will confirm His promise to Abraham.

Do we really understand how unlimited and complete God's promises are?