It has been the top news story for days because of the damage it can do to our country. The government recklessly overspent, reached the debt limit, and now needs to borrow more money to pay its bills. Tense negotiations are ongoing, and details are leaked to gain leverage and support. Those who understand the cost of failure want to know which way the negotiations will go. Purveyors of doom and gloom outline the unimaginable consequences if we fail to raise the debt limit. China wants us to fail, so they can take our place on the world stage.
History tells us there will be a political loser and that increases the urgency felt by both sides. The political future of the winner is assured, having gotten what they want and showing the world their power. The loser will feel the pain of failure for the rest of their career. The next election will show the damage to the loser and the momentum gained by the winner. The best outcome depends on what you want from the deal, but increasing our debt can’t be good.
What is really at stake and why is it such a big deal? People’s lives will be immediately affected if the government can’t pay. Active-duty military members, civilian employees, and retirees (like me) depend on getting paid. Business owners and contractors need what we and the government spend. If our government defaults on their debts, their credit rating will plummet, and their cost of borrowing will increase for everyone. China is already trying to replace the dollar with their currency in international trade and that would put our financial future in the hands of our enemies!
This situation reminds me of what is happening right now on a massive scale, with unimaginable consequences hanging in the balance. Negotiations are going on for the souls of every living person on the planet! We owe a debt we can never pay but an offer has been made to trade our debt and its consequences for immediate freedom and eternal benefits! Rejection will lead to everlasting damnation. That’s an easy choice to make so what’s the hold up?
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 KJV). Another easy choice but something must be wrong because “wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (Mat 7:13 KJV). That means most of the 150,000 that died today rejected JESUS and chose the thief and received the consequences!
How can that be? GOD must do something! He did, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17 KJV) and “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Romans 5:8 KJV). But that was two thousand years ago, and it isn’t working! People are free to choose but “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 KJV) so “choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Josh 24:15 KJV) and the benefits or consequences!
Wayne Lance (2023) – That’s Good News to Share!