With the election behind us, there is a question some are asking about the future of this country. Is America in a Jonah moment or a Nahum moment? Let me explain.

When Jonah preached to the city of Ninevah (the capital of the Assyrian empire), they repented. The king arose from his throne, removed his robe, and covered himself in sackcloth and sat in ashes (Jonah 3:6). He then sent out a decree to the people, and God spared the city from the impending disaster (Jonah 3:10).

That generation of Ninevites listened and turned from their sins toward the Lord. Following generations did the same until 150 years later when another generation of Ninevites refused to listen to the Word of God.

Nahum then pronounces a woe upon Nineveh. “Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder—no end to the prey! . . . Horsemen charging, flashing sword and glittering spear, hosts of slain, heaps of corpses, dead bodies without end—they stumble over bodies!” This is the vivid description of the destruction that was to come to Nineveh in 612 B.C.

Is America in a Jonah moment? Or are we in a Nahum moment? The number of abortions has increased after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Families are in disarray. The country has been rocked with violence on many occasions.

Most of us recognize that if we as a people and a country continue to turn away from God, the problems in our society will grow worse. Are we ready to repent, or will we be like the people Paul talked about who were “holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power” (2 Timothy 3:5).

Where is America headed? The next few months and years will answer that question.