Our nation is in trouble. What is the answer?

 Read Jeremiah 9.

With the intensity building of God's pending judgment, the preacher shared his personal feelings.
-Jeremiah wanted to cry.  This is why he is often called the weeping prophet.  Not only that, he called upon the women of the nation to mourn with him (vv.17-21).
-Jeremiah wanted to run.  If only there was some desolate place for him to escape and to get away from all this mess.

But if he did not stand under the pressure, if he did not speak the truth and urge others to seek God, if he did not live for God in an ungodly culture, he would have missed the very reason the LORD put him there.

The message was not his, but God's.  The nation was not his, but God's.  The problem was not rejection of him, but God.  The people chose to believe "falsehood and not truth" and, therefore, "they do not know me, declares the LORD." (v.3)  The people chose to live deceitful and sinful lives and, therefore, "they refuse to know me, declares the LORD." (vv.4-8)

How can a nation or individual, not only survive, but enjoy the blessings of God? (v.23-24)
1. Some trust themselves and their leaders to make wise decisions.
"Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom."  It does not require a political scientist to figure out that there are no human solutions to the world's problems and pressures.  None of us are wise enough on our own to even lead ourselves, let alone others.

2. Some trust in their personal ability or the power of their nation.
"Let not the mighty man boast in his might."  No one is truly independent and no nation can survive merely because of their superior military strength.

3. Some trust in their wealth.
"Let not the rich man boast in his riches."  Money and investments may disappear quickly in a national collapse.  Finances have no value when one is facing death.

So, what is the answer?
"Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.  For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."

"Blessed is the nation (and persons) whose God is the LORD." (Psalm 33:12)