Thoughts after Asia

Coming away from West Africa, I saw sure that unless a country is wholly devoted to God and the masses accept the gospel, there could be no peace or prosperity. I thought that if the Liberians would only teach and do exactly what the Bible says, their country would change. But this trip has reminded me that many of the richest countries in the world don't give a hoot about God.

"All things come alike to all," says Ecclesiastes, "there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked. One event happens to them all." Shanghai is a major city of the world, a central commercial emporium of the globe. But does the communist Chinese government care for God? Is Christianity a majority religion here? Nations and people can get rich without acknowledging God.

But on the other hand, what does the Bible say? Job 8:11 says, "Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water? While yet in flower and not cut down, they wither before any other plant. Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish." And this morning Drew read Psalm 9:17, "The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God." And last night I read Hosea 4:1, "The LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faihtfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it languish." Countries can get rich without acknowledging God. But can peace and prosperity last without God?

Sam