Some people still believe that sooner or later we will make this world a safe place, there will be peace on earth, and we will do it by human ingenuity. Some Christians may think the preaching of the Gospel will do that. However, that is not the job given to the Gospel! Now, I don't want to disillusion you, but I don't want you to have illusions, either.
I hope you are both encouraged by the freedom we have in Jesus Christ and challenged by the responsibility we carry. Every believer sensitive to spiritual matters knows our nation is in serious trouble.
Many feel that history as we know it is coming to a climax. Some say we’re seeing foreshocks of Armageddon. There’s no question we’re in a moral free fall. Soon we will hit bottom and there will be no repair. America will become a moldy crust in history’s landfill if something radical and dramatic is not done quickly.
Does this bring fear to your heart? It shouldn't, for we can rest knowing God is the Author of hope, and we can stand surefooted on His unshaken sovereignty, His Word, and His Kingdom! America's first line of defense is not the government nor the military, but God Himself.
Concerned Christians are rightly asking, what should we be doing to help bring our nation back to God?
First, let me say it's not too late. Turn to Psalm 80 and read the entire psalm prayerfully. God is speaking about the nation Israel. Psalm 80 is the prayer of a patriot, praying for national revival. Note especially verse 14:
“Return, we beseech Thee, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine [Israel]; And the vineyard which Thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that Thou madest strong for Thyself.”
Our hope lies solely in God's mercy.
We need to look to God with fasting, praying and weeping, an old-fashioned revival in the heart of our nation. God doesn't route revival through Washington. Revival must come from within every individual heart.
We Need to ‘Fess Up
“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14Did you know that prayer from an unrepentant people is an insult to Almighty God? Religion without righteousness is repugnant. In May we held a day of prayer where even Washington politicians gathered to pray. Yet the cesspools of iniquity are full and running over. We spend six days a week sowing wild oats and Sunday praying for crop failure. So much of our praying is “God bless us. Just bless us, anyhow.” But God is not going to do that. We must confess and turn from our wicked ways.
We Must Speak Up
“Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand, upon the Son of Man whom Thou madest strong for Thyself” Psalm 80:17
Clearly and strongly, in the name of Jesus, we must speak up. Some would say, “Sounds like you're trying to mix politics and religion.” No. The church is not the master of the state, nor is the church the servant of the state. The church is the conscience of the state. We need to speak up and say what God's Word says. Satan's strategy is to keep good people silent in evil times.
We Must Stand Up
When they tell us to go back under a rock, we must reply, “Never! We stand on The Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ!” We don't have to have great numbers. Our Savior began His ministry when He was just thirty years old with twelve men. It's time God's people were filled with an unshakeable resolve.
It's time we said, “Oh God, give us deliverance!” We have the Word, our weapon for battle. We have Jesus, our commander. The Holy Spirit is our ally. Victory is ours through the Man of God's right hand, Jesus Christ.