1. Will God Bless America?

2. Habakkuk 1:1-4 1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2 O Jehovah, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? I cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save. 3 Why dost thou show me iniquity, and look upon perverseness? for destruction and violence are before me; and there is strife, and contention riseth up. 4 Therefore the law is slacked, and justice doth never go forth; for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore justice goeth forth perverted.

3. Prophet Questions God’s Delay Why did God not judge Judah for evil?  Violence, iniquity & perverseness present  Law not respected & justice perverted  Wicked allowed advantage over righteous  Rightly understood these things cause judging God promised from start to judge nation if they became unfaithful (Deut. 27 & 28) When evil continues, judgment is certain, but timing is not

4. Habakkuk 1:5-11 5 Behold ye among the nations, and look, and wonder marvellously; for I am working a work in your days, which ye will not believe though it be told you. 6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, that march through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling-places that are not theirs. 7 They are terrible and dreadful; their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves. 8 Their horses also are swifter than leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves; and their horsemen press proudly on: yea, their horsemen come from far; they fly as an eagle that hasteth to devour. 9 They come all of them for violence; the set of their faces is forwards; and they gather captives as the sand. 10 Yea, he scoffeth at kings, and princes are a derision unto him; he derideth every stronghold; for he heapeth up dust, and taketh it. 11 Then shall he sweep by as a wind, and shall pass over, and be guilty, even he whose might is his god.

5. God Reveals His Work in Judging God was already acting to bring Chaldeans  Babylonians were a “bitter & hasty nation”  Known for their ruthlessness & destruction  Would come for violence, plunder & captives  Military might was overwhelming to Judah God knew His work would not be understood by prophet or others (Hab. 1:5) Yet, God knew it was the proper action to accomplish His purpose

6. Habakkuk 1:12-17 12 Art not thou from everlasting, O Jehovah my God, my Holy One? we shall not die. O Jehovah, thou hast ordained him for judgment; and thou, O Rock, hast established him for correction. 13 Thou that art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and that canst not look on perverseness, wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy peace when the wicked swalloweth up the man that is more righteous than he; 14 and makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? 15 He taketh up all of them with the angle, he catcheth them in his net, and gathereth them in his drag: therefore he rejoiceth and is glad. 16 Therefore he sacrificeth unto his net, and burneth incense unto his drag; because by them his portion is fat, and his food plenteous. 17 Shall he therefore empty his net, and spare not to slay the nations continually?

7. Prophet Questions God’s Choices Prophet correctly understood God’s character  God is from everlasting (eternal, not finite)  God is holy, pure & takes no pleasure in evil  God’s power is absolute & certain in its effect Question: Why does God choose nation more wicked to judge Judah (Hab. 1:13)? God never answered that question of prophet But answer must partly involve place Judah had as a nation uniquely blessed by God

8. Nations Exalted by Righteousness Proverbs show need for righteousness in nation  Prov. 14:34 Righteousness exalts nation  Prov. 11:11 City exalted by the upright  Prov. 16:12Throne established by righteous  Prov.25:5 Throne established as wicked removed  Prov. 28:2Understanding & knowledge prolong  Prov. 29:14Faithful judgment secures rule Principle true in God’s kingdom (Isa. 54:14) People & leaders both must be righteous

9. Nations Judged for Wickedness Verified in God’s dealings throughout time  Dan. 4:28-33Dealing with Nebuchadnezzar  Dan. 5:17-31Dealing with Belshazzar  Prophecies against nations filled with examples  Judah & Israel both destroyed because of evil  Book of Revelation shows same in gospel age Principle remains true today just as in past God gave government a place (Rom. 13:1-4) If government fails in this, God will judge

10. Brings The Question To Our Minds...

11. Will God Bless America?

12. Points to Help Answer Question We all hope, pray & request God’s blessing Must remember blessing not assured by...  Our desires, our prayers or our thoughts of right  The relative goodness of nation by comparison  Wickedness of enemies faced by this nation Several factors must also be recognized...  God demands more of those given more  God judges more harshly those who first call on Him & then depart from righteousness  God can raise up any nation to do His will Safety is found in righteousness, not power

13. If God Continues to Bless America...  We must return to upholding righteousness  Growing tolerance of sin must be reversed  Must seek righteousness over material wealth  Justice must be served & evil must be punished  We must use our blessings to serve God  Material wealth must go to His cause, not self  Freedom must be used to serve, not to feed lust  Greater opportunity = Greater responsibility