God Sends Curses

Scripture: Malachi 4:6b

so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

Insights: Yesterday I mentioned the second reason God desires us to love our children was found in the last part of verse six.  The second reason is because God does not wish to send a curse upon the land.  Unfortunately, I personally believe America is under a curse for this very injustice of parents refusal to love their child(ren).  Sunday I gave the following statistics about the fatherless generation.  These statistics came from three article titled, The Fatherless Generation, Statistics on Fatherless Children in America, and Prison Statistics.  Here is some of that research: 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes - 5X the average.  90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes - 32X the average.  85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes - 20X the average.  80% of rapists come from fatherless homes - 14X the average.  71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes - 9X the average.  75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes - 10X the average.  Children living in a 2 parent home, but who have a poor relationship with their father are 68% more likely to smoke, drink or use drugs.  Young men who grow up in homes without fathers are twice as likely to end up in jail as those who come from traditional two-parent families.  If the young man lives in a neighborhood with a high concentration of single-parent families the odds triple.  78% of the nation’s jail and prison inmates grew up in a fatherless household.  Beloved, I think you can see from this research that our land is indeed under a curse because of the lack of love for our child(ren).  I, however, concluded the sermon with this: we are not without hope.  The Lord God who has sent these great warnings can heal this nation.  The choice is ours, but it all hinges on our return to the Father and His ways.  If we, especially His children, will return to Him, which is what the book of Malachi is all about, then He will heal us and restore to us His love and blessing.  It is my prayer that this restoration begins right now and that it starts here at FBCBG.  To God be the glory!

Questions:

1.  Do you recognize the curse that America us presently under?

2.  In what ways are you able to serve to break this horrific cycle?

Prayer: Father, forgive us for our rebellion.  Please be merciful to us and restore our hearts to You.  At the same time I pray this, do what is ever necessary to turn people to You and if that means a season of curses, then Lord let them do their job quickly.  Amen.