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The Sun Is Still Shining By David Wright         America's moral strength is waning fast, and this disturbs many of her more thoughtful citizens. However, the U.S. economy remains strong and the military is the best in the world. As long as the sun is still rising and setting, as long as life goes on as usual, most people will eventually accept the morality meltdown and stop taking offense at it. But is this wise?         Sodom and the other openly immoral cities surrounding it nestled in a beautiful valley, a paradise of lush vegetation, a perfect place for pasturing flocks and herds. The economy was strong. People were buying and selling, planting crops, and building houses (Luke 17:28). But one day the sky fell. The Lord rained down fire and sulfur out of heaven. Every home and place of business went up in flames, every person and animal died, and every growing thing scorched and blackened (Gen. 19:24-25).         And yes, the sun rose as usual on the day of Sodom's annihilation (Gen. 19:23). “Life as usual” is no guarantee of God's protection from the consequences of open rebellion. His patience with Sodom had worn ominously thin, but no one was paying attention.         On the one hand, then, trusting in prosperity and relative peace as indications of God's continuing approval of this nation is foolish. “Righteousness exalts a nation,” Solomon writes, “but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). “Any people” includes the citizens of the United States.         On the other hand, the Christian who truly abhors worldly passions should continue to rejoice in every good day God graciously gives (Ps. 118:24). The sun is indeed still shining. God is good. A gloomy outlook may alienate the very people whom we eagerly want to bring to Jesus. We must never allow the darkness of this passing world to steal our joy in the brilliant sunshine of God's love.