“Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will stand for me against those who practice iniquity?” -Psalm 94:16

An apocryphal story is told of the captain of a US battleship who, in the midst of a fog, saw what appeared to be the light of another ship coming directly at him. The captain radioed the oncoming ship and said, “Turn south immediately.” The response from the light-emitting vessel was, “You turn south immediately.” The captain became furious so he radioed back, “This is a battleship! I command you to turn south immediately!” The response was, “Sir, this is a lighthouse! YOU turn south immediately!” 

This popular nautical account has been circulating the internet since 1996. But slightly different versions of it have been found in prints dating back decades, including a 1931 Canadian newspaper cartoon. It must be noted, however, that the United States Navy has no record of such transmission and has dismissed it as a bogus story that originated as a maritime joke. Nevertheless, one lesson (among several) we can all learn from this faxlore is that, like a lighthouse built on a rock, our faith, morals, and convictions cannot be moved, especially by the warships of secularism.

We are living in morally perilous times and although sexual degeneracy and political corruption are not products of modern times only, today we are undoubtedly witnessing an unprecedented wave of moral decadence. Perhaps surpassing that of the days of Noah and of Sodom and Gomorrah!

As in the days of Noah

Sodom and Gomorrah

Contrary to what many people claim, America has never been a “Christian nation” nor has it ever been an example of impeccable morality to the world. To those who beg to differ, I ask exactly what part of our history was uniquely Christian? Was it prior to America’s colonization when indigenous (some rather barbaric) settlements inhabited the land? Or was it after, when divisions over legal slavery sparked a civil war? How about when women were denied the privilege to vote? Was it during the Gilded Age? The Roaring ’20s? Or the swinging ’60s? Nevertheless, we cannot argue the (historical) fact that America was indeed founded on Judeo-Christain principles and values. Principles that led our forefathers, as imperfect as they were, to pen the most amazing Constitution in the world, and values that became the moral guidelines for almost every household for hundreds of years.

Unfortunately, because of the numerous God-less ideologies that have been introduced by the many cultures and peoples drawn to this land, our society has been slowly but steadily moving farther and farther away from those principles and values. Satan has used this influx of deceptive secular and pagan philosophies to wage war against faith and morality. For example, with the concept of Political Correctness and Human Rights, he has successfully used liberal institutions and administrations to challenge and redefine biblical marriage, sexuality, and the sanctity of life. This ruthless attack on traditional family values has shredded the moral tapestry of our nation and has become part of the many isms that are spreading like venomous vines entangling and confusing the most gullible of minds, including those of many Christians. Read “Entangled.”

As lighthouses for God, we have been called to shine the light of His truth and expose the viral depravity that is infecting the hearts of men, women, and children alike. And we can effectively accomplish this by first committing ourselves to pray earnestly and persistently on behalf of our families, friends, and nation as a whole. Then, after we have prayed, we need to take a bold stand by denouncing and voting against the immoral policies that are being perpetrated by the Progressive and Liberal agenda. Keep in mind, however, that those who promote these agendas know no boundaries and have no restraints. They move forward like a relentless battleship trying to impose their ideals on anyone and everyone at any cost. That is why, now more than ever, we must remain unwavering, uncompromising, confident, and fully determined to keep contending for the Faith. The faith that declares that only the holy and righteous God of all creation has the sole authority to judge between right and wrong, good and evil, truth and lie, holiness and profanity.

If the battleships of moral lawlessness decide to stay the course and keep charging headlong towards us, collision is inevitable, but the loss will not be ours. For as long as we are anchored in Christ and His word we can overcome the fiercest attack and like the Apostle Paul said, “...destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.“ All the while declaring that we CANNOT and WILL NOT be moved!

Prayer: I am a lighthouse. My faith is anchored in Christ, the Rock of my salvation. I live to give Him praise and declare the truth of His Gospel to those who are lost in a dark and hopeless world. I have been given authority over sin in Jesus’ name and declare that neither my flesh, the Devil, nor the world has any power over me. Therefore, with the help of God’s Holy Spirit, I stand against every weapon that is formed against me. I am a lighthouse.  I cannot and will not be moved!  Amen.

Scripture
“Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.” -Ephesians 5:11 (NLT)

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” -Psalm 18:2

““Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. ” -Matthew 7:24,25

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)

“Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will stand for me against those who practice iniquity?” -Psalm 94:16

-ALL SCRIPTURE IS QUOTED FROM THE NIV EXCEPT WHERE SPECIFIED.