Romans 1:21 says, "When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."
1. They glorified Him not
A nation that chooses to forget God at first does not deny Him. Rather, they simply do not give glory to Him. Instead:
2. They took credit to themselves for His works
The become vain and puffed up, taking pride in themselves over things that were accomplished.
3. They became unthankful
They were not satisfied with what they had. It wasn't good enough; they needed more; other people, or their government, did not serve them as they thought they should.
4. They became foolish
Because they refused to recognize God's provision for them and thought they knew what they needed and what they should have (though they did not look to God for it), they made foolish decisions and devised foolish means to get what they wanted.
5. Their foolish heart was darkened
They refused to look to God for their provision or acknowledge Him, and instead sought their own solutions. Now their heart was darkened and they could not see.
The Result:
"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." (Romans 1:22)
The result of their attitudes and actions -- a foolish heart. They became wise in their own eyes, but in reality were foolish and unable to reason and make right decisions. They refused to look to God, and now they could not see. They refused to thank God and now they could not be satisfied.
Does this sound like America today? Think about it. The opposite of a thankful heart is a foolish heart. Our nation so desperately needs to get back to giving glory to God and being thankful.
I pray God to create a clean heart in me and renew a right spirit in me so that I become a thankful person with a wise heart.
How about you? Is that your prayer too? America desperately needs change, and change begins with one. Will you be that one?