It is easy, these days, to become caught up in fretting over the wickedness that is increasingly prevalent in our land. But, let's look at the situation through God's eyes:

The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he sitteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil (Psalm 36:1-4).

Having identified the problem, note the focus of God's thoughts through David's eyes in the verses that immediately follow:

Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart (Psalm 36:5-10).

As God's people, we have nothing to fear. On the contrary, the problems confronting our nation afford us a wonderful opportunity to be salt and light—to proclaim and demonstrate our faith in God's word. Opportunities will increasingly abound as we abhor evil in our own lives and live in His light! By examining our own hearts and clinging to God's instructions for our lives (Biblical doctrine), God will use us to impact this world in ways of which we are presently not able.

As you respond to these opportunities, we invite your prayers and gifts on behalf of ICR. Our joining forces in this way will, we believe, result in an ever-so-much greater impact than were we each to stand alone.