Not One Stone Left Upon Another

I'm not a huge history buff, but I think it's good to not be ignorant of history, especially since it tends to repeat itself. While there are many reasons for the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, here are a few of the commonly agreed upon factors contributing to the demise:

• Constant wars and overspending, which weakened essential infrastructure
• Oppressive taxation and inflation that widened the gap between rich and poor.
• Self-division of the Empire between East (Byzantium) and West (Milan)
• Government corruption and political instability, including a loss of civic pride an allegiance among the citizenry and trust in government
• Invasion by neighboring tribes
• Loss of traditional values (in the case of Rome, the displacement of traditional paganism at the hands of the cult of Christianity)
• Hiring of private foreign mercenaries to prop up the army, who held no loyalty to Rome.
• General laxity and leisure

When I think about the state of our country as we approach this holiday weekend, I wonder "generally speaking, are things getting better, or are they getting worse in the United States? Are we on a [economic/cultural/moral] decline, or are we arising to something great?" I have to be somewhat pessimistic here--I think we have really lost our way. Using the fall of Rome fifteen hundred years ago as a model, things fall nicely in place for our own country:

• Constant wars and military overspending, crumbling infrastructure and deficits.
• The disappearance of the middle class
• Extreme partisanship = a divided country
• Distrust of government, bureaucratic waste and stupidity.
• home-grown and foreign terrorists engaging in guerrilla tactics of weakening the empire from the inside
• Common morality not a given. Hardening of hearts and scorning of the need for repentance. 
• War-for-hire (private defense contracting)
• laxity and leisure, taking freedom for granted.

How can God bless us when as a country have rejected His sovereign rule? This life will pass away, but the eternal will remain. 

So, what do to? Pray and work, but recognize that empires are not a given. Put things in perspective. Prepare for the next life, because I'm pretty sure we are approaching the point of no return. Do not put your faith in worldly powers, princes, and principalities, but in the living God.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Eph 6:12-13)