Do you believe God has already given up on this nation? We've taken God out of so much of our public life that I can't imagine Him withholding His judgment much longer. Can you? — C.Y.

The Bible does teach that God not only judges individuals, but He also judges nations when they turn their backs on Him and refuse to listen to His voice. When God judges a nation, the Bible warns, "The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair. ... I will deal with them according to their conduct" (Ezekiel 7:27).

Has our nation reached that point? Only God knows the future, and only He knows how far a nation can go before He intervenes and brings judgment upon it. But one thing is certain: We must never think that God will not judge our nation for its evil and injustice. God's call to His people thousands of years ago applies to us as well: "Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall" (Ezekiel 18:30).

Instead of just deploring the sins we see around us, however, we must pray for our nation and its leaders. God is stronger than evil, and our hope must always be in Him. When the people of ancient Nineveh repented in response to Jonah's preaching, God turned away from the judgment He had planned (see Jonah 3:10). The same could happen to us.

In addition, no matter what others do, make sure of your own commitment to Christ, and make it your goal to live for Him every day. Remember Jesus' words: "You are the salt of the earth. ... You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:13-14).