Shalom friends!  This week has been filled with unfavorable news out of Iraq, Iran, Ukraine, North Africa and elsewhere.  Indeed, Israel’s neighbors are not exactly playing nicely in the sandbox.  On top of that, America continues to more and more blatantly turn its back on Israel and our allies in the Middle East.

Here is a taste of this week’s headlines:

• BBC: Islamic State militants ‘burn to death 45 in Iraq’
• i24 News: Rouhani: Iran doesn’t need permission to progress with nuclear program
• Reuters: Ukraine military says Russian tanks, missile systems cross border
• The Guardian: Deadly Boko Haram raids destroy two Nigerian villages
• The Daily Beast: US Won’t Back Egypt’s Attacks on ISIS

You don’t need me to tell you that things in the Middle East and North Africa are a mess.  However, every day that passes brings deeper realization that America has all but walked away from allies with whom we need to be supporting.  Each headline above is evidence that evil is spreading rampantly, yet the US fails to engage appropriately.

• Regarding ISIS, we sit back while they burn a Jordanian pilot alive, kill another American hostage, behead 21 Egyptian Christians, and now burn another 45 people alive.  Even one liberal commentator states that we are being “morally humiliated” by ISIS.
• Also regarding ISIS, despite the fact that the Satanic Islamist terrorist group’s latest gruesome execution video was entitled, “A Message Signed with Blood to the Nation of the Cross,” the current administration refuses to acknowledge that this is a religious war, and refuses to call ISIS what it is: a radical Islamic terrorist group.  (BTW – experts now believe that video may have been a hoax, though the belief remains that the 21 Christians were indeed executed by other means.  Regardless, the message of ISIS remains the same.)
• Regarding Iran, the Obama administration is dead set on cutting a deal with an evil regime that has blatantly lied to the world regarding their nuclear program, has vowed to wipe Israel off the map, and who identifies the US as the “Great Satan.”
• Regarding Ukraine, America has made no significant effort to persuade or pressure Russia into respecting the sovereignty of the former Soviet state. In a power play to take over the Ukraine, Russian forces are destroying cities and forcing Ukrainians to flee for their lives.
• Regarding Boko Haram, the radical Islamic terrorist group in Africa is rampaging through Nigeria, leaving a blood trail as it goes. Known to kidnap, rape, and murder children (as well as adults), Boko Haram is every bit as evil as ISIS, and shares the same goals.  To date, other than humanitarian missions (which are very critical), the US has done very little to address the terrorist threat posed by Boko Haram.
• Regarding Egypt, formerly one of our greatest allies in the Middle East, the Obama administration is refusing to assist Egypt in their attacks against ISIS. While each country carries out its own separate campaigns against ISIS, they now refuse to collaborate, which is good news to ISIS.

To be sure, America is not able, nor responsible, to fix all the world’s problems or to stop every evil that lurks.  However, four things come to mind as I think about where we stand in the grand scheme of things:

1. America has always been a humanitarian wellspring. Often either the first or the largest to provide aid to those in need, throughout our history America has been recognized as a nation that offered a helping hand.  We seem to be drifting further and further from that.  God has entrusted us with much and I’m afraid we are failing to use what He has given us.
2. Our government has derailed from what our forefathers originally intended it to be. One of the primary functions of the federal government should be national defense, while many other issues should be left to the states, cities, or outside of government altogether.  The current trend is to cut defense spending, while diving into serious debt due to spending in other areas.   As our national defense suffers, it will deter our ability to defend our own nation, much less our allies.
3. The body of Christ has also derailed from what Scripture tells us it should be. Over 40% of the national budget is for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.  This will likely be a very unpopular statement, but I believe it is Biblical.  If everyone who calls themselves a Christian took on the responsibilities the Bible describes, 40+% of the national budget would not be necessary for entitlement programs.
4. It is at great peril that we turn our backs on Israel. Genesis 12:3 clearly states that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed.  If for no other reason than that, our nation should stand strong with Israel in order to avoid that curse.  It is simply by God’s grace that His hand remains upon us.  God help us when He removes it.

So, how far away has America walked?  It is difficult to know exactly, but it is a significant distance.  However, I believe we have great hope in Jesus Christ…and that Hope is more than sufficient.  For those of us who follow Jesus, we simply must be about the Father’s business in these last days.  Scripture tells us that no one knows the day or the hour Jesus will call us to meet Him in the air.  It could be today…or this year…or 100 years or more from now.  But the time is ripe, the birth pangs are obvious, and we must be ready.

Our nation may walk away; but as believers, we don’t have to.  Please pray for our leaders, and pray for the suffering taking place around the world.  Also, check back soon for a well-timed message to ISIS.