And such an ugly sign it is. From the BBC:
The US government’s debts have ballooned so badly the National Debt Clock in New York has run out of digits to record the spiraling figure.
Some economists believe the $700bn bail-out plan for ailing US financial institutions could send the national debt level to $11 trillion.
The digital counter marks the national debt level, but when that passed the $10 trillion point last month, the sign could not display the full amount.
The board was erected to highlight the $2.7 trillion level of debt in 1989.
The clock’s owners say two more zeros will be added, allowing the clock to record a quadrillion dollars of debt.
Douglas Durst, son of the late Seymour Durst – the clock’s inventor – hopes to replace the Manhattan clock with its lengthier replacement early next year.
For the time being, the Times Square counter’s electronic dollar sign has been replaced with the extra digit required.
For its part, the digital dollar symbol has been supplanted by a cheaper version – perhaps a sign of the times for the American economy.
Compare what that says about our country with God’s ideal for a nation. Jeremiah 33:6-9 says:
Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.
There was a time when all the nations of the earth heard about the good things God was doing in America and people sought out the health, prosperity and peace that could be found within our borders. But those realities are slowing being replaced with sickness, debt and turmoil–things that have no place within the Kingdom of God, neither among his nations nor his people.
It’s a sign of the times. And an ugly sign it is.
