Since its founding, the United States has grappled with disagreement, debate, and division among its leaders and constituents. Rarely, however, has the vitriol between opposing sides reached the intensity seen in recent times. From the early years of nationhood through the Civil War and into the tumultuous 1960s, America faced deep national disunity, with each side in these disputes viewing their ideological struggles as existential, questioning how to define the nation, determine right and wrong, and govern effectively. These periods strained the body politic, yet compromise and cooler heads often prevailed, allowing the nation to endure despite tragic losses and violent confrontations. Fast-forward to 2026, and America once again finds itself in great civil turmoil. The debates seem less ideological and more purely divisive, with no easy compromise in sight. Radical elements on both sides show a stiffer refusal to coexist, exemplified by events like the assassination of Charlie Kirk and attempted assassinations of President Trump. Compromise is welcomed only if the other side yields, with less talking and more shouting, and little willingness to consider opposing views. The primary divide today falls between Nationalists, who favor traditional governance within defined borders and values, and Globalists, who seek to blur national boundaries, promote unfettered immigration, and abandon traditional values and sovereignty. From 2021 through 2024, an unsustainable influx of illegal immigrants, estimated at eleven to twenty million, crossed the southern border, facilitated by policies of globalist-leaning politicians. This has led to immense costs and alleged widespread fraud within the immigration industry, further fueling division. The current administration's push to deport many of these immigrants and investigate fraud has intensified animosity from the opposition, while allies demand persistence. States and municipalities declaring themselves sanctuaries for illegal immigrants obstruct federal deportation efforts, escalating political vitriol and legal battles. Lawsuits mount, and calls for violent upheaval grow, with some observers warning of a constitutional crisis rivaling the Civil War. Fierce clashes unfold on America's streets between federal agencies like the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and illegal immigrants alongside their political and civilian allies. Some speculate that a violent conflict, potentially weakening America, might be the desired outcome for Globalists, easing the path toward a one-world government. Others argue globalism is faltering in America. The question remains whether Americans possess the will for a protracted, bloody conflict to resolve these differences or if cooler heads will once again prevail.

In the Book of Judges, we observe a stark contrast to the obedience seen under Joshua, as the people of Israel became disobedient and idolatrous, finding no peace in the land God intended as a place of rest and refreshment. Throughout the first sixteen chapters of Judges, God in His sovereignty repeatedly raised judges to realign the people, yet in the last five chapters, it becomes evident how far Israel had strayed from Him. Losing sight of the true King who was always present, they failed to obey His word and descended into depravity, each person doing what was right in their own eyes. By the end of the book, it is clear that in those days there was no king in Israel, and every man did what was right in his own eyes, resulting in pain, suffering, and warfare. This national disunity, marked by a failure to remember and memorialize the truth of God's word, led Israel further into depravity and away from the peace that comes from living according to His will.