A NATION UNDER ATTACK

Why America is Losing the War Against Natural Disasters
One Key Verse in the Bible Describes the American Spirit More Than Any Other.
Proverbs 16:18 is a Warning to the Nation:

Proverbs 16:18-"Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall."

September 22, 2005
By Richard Markland
A Nation Under Attack
As I write, Hurricane Rita has sustained winds of 175 mph. Hurricane Katrina was also a category 5 storm at one point, but decreased to a 4 when it hit the city of New Orleans.
The number one concern at this time is whether Houston and the surrounding region will be as fortunate.
What is particularly worrisome about Rita is the fact that it is not expected to hit landfall until Friday evening or early Saturday.
Her strength in all likelihood will continue due to the warmth of gulf waters. Should Hurricane Katrina and Rita be so worrisome?
After all, New Orleans was hit, yet federal, state and local officials say it will bounce back.
If Rita strikes Houston, and the surrounding region, Americans reason it is just a matter of sending an endless supply of money as well as badly needed supplies. We are conditioned to believe the nation can get through anything come hell or HIGH WATER.
When describing the American spirit, the overall mindset of the nation is one of pride due to the ability to bounce back from adversity.
We are proud as a nation because Americans always come to the aide of one another. We eulogize and praise ourselves endlessly for never giving up. America, after all, is the greatest nation in the history of the world and we reason this is why we have the ability to survive anything.Few people realize how God looks at pride.

Could pride be just one of the reasons America is finding itself facing dangers as never before?

The Bible mentions "pride" 49 times. Proverbs 6:16 and 17 states that pride is one of the seven things God hates.
Proverbs 6:16-17-"These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: vs. 17-A proud look...
"Senator Joe Dement (D) of South Carolina stated yesterday on MSNBC that America is under attack.
The nation did not have the ability to face an enemy called Katrina and we are even more weakened to defend ourselves against Rita.
Millions of Americans are retreating once again, but it somehow sounds better if it is described as evacuating.
Psalm 148:8-"Fire, and hail; snow, and vapors; stormy wind fulfilling His word.

"God is speaking to America and it is through hurricanes such as Katrina and Rita.

Why America Will Not Learn From Katrina and Rita

One way to know if America has learned anything as a result of Hurricane Katrina-and is learning from the impending threat of Rita-is to look at the nation honestly and ask if people are changing spiritually.
Is there a connection made in the minds of Americans when catastrophe hits and the Bible explains why? Perhaps there are isolated cases, but few Americans overall are making the connection between natural disasters and spiritual consequences. As long as the federal government can step in and rescue areas hit by catastrophes with massive amounts of money and aid-people will not look to God.
As long as Americans can come to the rescue of fellow Americans-people will not cry out to God. As long a Americans are provided with shelter, food and clothing-people will not obey God. A day is coming, however, when the federal government will not be able to help those in need. Shelters will not be provided and Americans will not come to the aid of one another. Only than will people see a need for God.
As soon as Rita subsides, America will brush itself off and go on with a life as usual mindset. This is the very thing God does not want because He takes note of what people do after each disaster. America does not see itself as God does. Americans do not realize the spirit of the nation is unhealthy and people need to repent on a personal and national level.Proverbs 16:2-"All the ways of a man (or nation) are pure in his (its) own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits (or looks at the state of the American spirit)."
It is more than evident that the American spirit is in need of a major overhaul. We have not learned a thing from Katrina except perhaps better evacuation procedures. We will also learn little from Rita.
If Proverbs 16:18 is any indication, America will have to experience far greater destruction and perhaps even its total collapse before it realizes God is the only hope.
(c) 2005
By Richard Markland