America was founded on the Bible as God's inspired word. It was considered God's revelation to mankind. As the apostle Peter expressed it, "Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21). Our public, as well as our private lives were once dominated by moral integrity. Honor was so serious that duels were fought over any slight. The motto of our most numerous veterans' organization (The American Legion) is "For God and Country." Our Christian roots are enshrined in our literature, as "In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row," commemorating the faith of those who died defending our culture. In our courts, we swear "to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" with our hand on God's word, the Bible.

 Today, lying and cheating seems to be the order of the day. Our children are taught to lie just to be polite. Our athletes are cheating to win. Our students are taught that there is no dishonor in lying or cheating. Our scholars practice plagiarism with impunity. Our journalists no longer crusade for moral rightness and integrity in government. Our judges ignore the constitution and make their own law. Our preachers no longer preach against sin but tend to scratch the ears of the pew (2 Tim 4:1-4). And too many would have it no other way.

 But there is hope. Most Americans (it seems 80% is the current figure) still believe in God. As the children of God fell away from Him back in Old Testament times. They could and did turn back to Him -- much as the Prodigal Son (Luke 15-11-31) in the New Testament -- and God would take them back and bless them over and over again.

 Today America faces a revolt against all that is true, and right, and good, and holy. As William Cullen Bryant expressed it long ago:

 Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again;
The eternal years of God are hers;
But Error, wounded, writhes in pain,
And dies among his worshippers.

 God's truth shall prevail. When the Lamb of God takes the book with the seven seals from Jehovah (Revelation 5:13), "every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."

 There are still those among us that understand that lying is wrong. There are still both people and politicians that know principles are not to be compromised. There are still those in the pulpit and pew that are determined to be true disciples of Christ. The moral fabric of the nation may be pierced here and there, but it can and will stand because of the determination of those that sing, "Onward Christian Soldiers" as we march to the victory of God's last day.

 Dale I. Royal, Elk City, OK