CAMDEN — By Richard Merritt
The statistics and facts reveal our nation is overcome with a number of addictions. Among these, we find alcoholism, cocaine addiction, other drug addictions, food addiction, gambling addiction, heroin addiction, internet addiction, marijuana addiction, meth addiction, nicotine addiction, prescription drug addiction, sex addiction, shopping addiction and work addiction.
The last days are marked by a culture of addiction. “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark.” (Matthew 24:37, 38 KJV) These verses reveal the last days will be a time that reflects food addiction and alcohol addiction. In 2003, 8.2% of our country’s population age 12 and over use illicit drugs—about 19.5 million people.
The most common addiction is the use of alcoholic beverages. “But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.” (Isaiah 28:7 KJV) The alcohol addiction to which Isaiah refers is throughout all levels of society, from the people to religious leaders and political leaders. The alcoholic deals with balance, vision and judgment impairment. 20% of adult patients in hospitals include the presence of alcohol. 20% of male alcohol addicts have a lifetime problem. Nicotine increases the likelihood of going from the use of alcohol to alcohol addiction. Alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable death in America.
The problems created by addictions have reached every family. There is one source of satisfaction that is healthy. Jesus satisfies. When people reject Jesus, God’s Word and true worship, they turn to other things for satisfaction.
The people to whom Isaiah preached had already turned from following God to immersing themselves in the culture. The same trajectory is seen in the lives of people in America. “Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!” (Isaiah 28:1 KJV). This national problem in the northern kingdom of Israel led to weakness, military defeat and Assyrian captivity.
If we sink into the culture of addiction in America, we also face God removing His hand of blessing and protection from our country. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.” (Psalm 33:12-15).
The problem of a culture of addiction affects every part of our society. “For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;
In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.” (Isaiah 59:12-14 KJV) The culture of addiction marks the time the Bible refers to as the last days.
People search for something more, something that gives life meaning and something that truly satisfies. Jesus satisfies by giving eternal life to those that trust Him, a new purpose in living and a joy in Him that is unspeakable and full of glory. Try Jesus, you’ll like Him.