Why Big Government Hates God

Once upon a time, the U.S. government was the God-friendliest government in the whole world. But as Washington's power and reach grew well beyond its constitutional restrictions, something happened.

The U.S. government became less and less friendly to God. In fact, it began to grow quite hostile. Why? It's obvious to me now. Competition.

The U.S. government doesn't want any competition. It doesn't want it from auto companies. It doesn't want it from health insurance companies. It doesn't want it from banks. It doesn't want it from private businesses of any kind. In fact, it doesn't even want it from self-governing individual Americans.

In other words, government wants to be your god, your one and only god.

And the God of the Bible — the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God who led the chosen people out of Egypt and the God who led them back into Israel in the last century — represents real competition.

After all, the God of the Christians and Jews says: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

That's His first commandment. And His second doesn't make Him any easier to swallow: Don't worship idols. That's pretty much what the U.S. government has become for many Americans — a false idol.

And God says: "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me."

You see, it's kind of a mutual aversion situation. The impact is already being felt in America today, as government becomes godlike in the lives of so many citizens. We're paying a price for it — and will continue to pay a bigger price for generations.

I don't expect non-believers to comprehend what I am saying. But even many Christians and Jews won't see this yet.

Most don't have their own priorities in life straight, not putting God first in their own lives. Too many Christians believe they are not to question government — thinking wrongly it is somehow unbiblical.

They fail to understand the day is coming when individuals, nations and rulers will be judged by God.

Psalm 110 spells it out in pretty graphic terms: "The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries."

No, that's not going to be a pretty sight. And if America were judged by that standard, it wouldn't fare well. Unless, of course, we as a people change our ways. But how? The answer is simple. You can find it in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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."

Do you think we are capable of recognizing we are headed in the wrong direction?

It's not just a matter of electing the right leaders. Our leaders are a judgment on us. We've got to get our spiritual priorities straight. We have to recognize that our government is either a blessing or a curse on us.

Americans were blessed with some great leaders in the past — when our citizens understood the limitations of government and the fact that our all-just, almighty Creator has no limitations on his power.

Do you think we can find our way home before it's too late? Don't wait for someone to lead you.

If what I say resonates with you and you are a child of the Kingdom of Heaven, humble yourself, pray and seek His face. The only way out of this mess is for each of us — as many as possible — to turn from our wicked ways. Recognize who deserves our obedience and worship and adoration and praise.

When He says He's a jealous God, He means business.

To find out more about Joseph Farah and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS.COM