Biblically, PRIDE emphasizes independence from God; HUMILITY emphasizes dependence upon God. America has become a very PROUD nation with her greatest need being that of being HUMBLED before God. The more prosperous we have become - the more proud, and the further we have strayed from God.

A couple of world wars and the "Great Depression" humbled America (relatively speaking). In those days America was hungry for the things of God and out of those days were born ministries like "Back to the Bible" and the Bible College Movement. But as America began to come out of the really hard times our prosperity was matched by our growing PRIDE. We touted ourselves as the GREATEST country in the history of the world - as if we were a self-made country based on our own brilliance and wherewithal.

As America went to work after the Depression and World War 2 the accumulation of money began to take on a higher priority than the family - and the family began to suffer. As time went along divorce and remarriage became common which was closely followed by an ever-increasing acceptance of adultery and fornication by society at large. We replaced the Bible and the 10 commandments with evolutionary indoctrination in our schools. 1973 marks a very PROUD moment in American history when the country legalized MURDER in the womb. We were now feeling very independent of "the old Book" and doing our own liberated thinking. The culture in great PRIDE accepted "independent feminism" and came to endorse homosexuality as it came out of the closet. In fact, the homosexual movement embraced the word "PRIDE" as their signature word. When the country legalized same-sex marriage in 2015 the White House flaunted the decision by displaying the rainbow colors which had become the symbol of this PROUD Movement. Of course taking the "rainbow" symbolism is a total affront to the God of the Bible Who has linked His covenant promise to the rainbow (cf. Gen. 9:13).

The American Church is a mile wide and an inch deep. We PRIDE ourselves on being "woke" (in tune with the culture). We have amused ourselves to death with entertainment so alluring that even the lost enjoy it - thinking we are doing a GREAT work for God. For many "Christians" it's all about the "FUN" and "worship" is defined in these terms. Often, we are just entertaining the goats instead of feeding the sheep (as Spurgeon would say). Prayer meetings? What is that? Who has prayer meetings anymore? They are not really necessary, and besides we are to busy for such a thing. You know we are "American Christians" who have better things to do - more important things you know - especially in light of eternity (sarcasm). Doctrine? Are you kidding? Who cares about something divisive? Don't you know God just wants us to get along and doctrine divides? Let's forget about doctrine and just "love" each other. And let us get practical - you know where we really live. Those who dare to expose false teachers are considered "HATERS". And so, we pine "Where is the love?" knowing very little about true biblical love that has its hallmark in the trait of HOLINESS. Paul saw the Corinthians willingness to overlook sin as glaring PRIDE. He said to them, "Your glorying is not good" (1 Cor. 5:6). We PRIDE ourselves on overlooking SIN and call it LOVE. This is some kind of messed up!

No one wants to see hard times, but what is truly BEST for us as a society in terms of spiritual realities - in terms of eternity? We continually pray for PHYSICAL WELL BEING, but what about the greater SPIRITUAL REALITIES? In both the OT as well as the NT the Scripture makes the point that God resists the PROUD, but He gives GRACE to the HUMBLE (cf. Prov. 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5). God told His people Israel in the OT...

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Of course, this was spoken to Israel, but the principle applies to us today as well, especially to God's people the Church. We are the ones who know God and have access to God in prayer. The world without God has no hope and no real prayer (cf. Eph. 2:12). Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people."

Let us pray for the spiritual-well-being of our nation, and that in effect is to pray that we would be HUMBLED before God, and that starts with the Church. Peter said to the suffering saints...

1 Peter 5:6–7 (NKJV)
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.