OK – so let me just get right to the point here on this week’s devotional. I’m angry! I’m frustrated! I’m incredibly disappointed and I basically just want to grab some folks and shake them up!
How can any authentic biblical Christian… a true follower of Christ watch what has transpired these past few weeks in our nation and not become righteously indignant, holy ticked off and yet, sorrowfully concerned for our nation? Where are the leaders who would stand upon the Word of God, the Word upon which this most blessed nation was founded? When will those who proclaim their allegiance to Almighty God, who take oaths upon the Word of God, end their hypocritical behavior and forego political correctness. When or Lord? When?
But, perhaps I’d do better… we’d do better to proclaim, “Send me O Lord, send me!”
If revival is going to break forth in our nation, I believe it will happen one by one. In might be in rapid succession, but nonetheless, it will be as the Holy Spirit moves among the obedient minority and most certainly not through the rebellious majority.
What we need this day, right now, in this month of July 2015, is an army committed to follow the charge from Joab! “Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the LORD’s will be done.” 1 Chronicles 19:13
But how do we fight bravely? How will we arm ourselves to fight the ever-present moral decay transpiring from within our country? The answer may seem simple, and yet, the actual battle to be carried out, something quite demanding. Prayer! Relentless, unceasing, on our knees, in sackcloth and ashes, authentic humility before God in the name of Christ Jesus, prayer!
When the sins of Israel were great, we discover, “David and the leaders of Israel put on burlap to show their deep distress and fell face down on the ground.” (1 Chronicles 21:16b). In remorse and in repentance of heart, they confessed their sins and pleaded with God to find mercy upon their nation. When turning to 1 Chronicles 28:8-9, we read of David’s charge to his son Solomon, to be careful to obey all of the commands of the LORD God. To worship and serve him with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind.
Like Josiah, how desperately we need to cry out unto the LORD… confessing that our nation’s leaders have abandoned the Word of God. That our elected officials have turned aside from God’s holy union between a man and a woman and in arrogance and defilement, have officially condoned, that which God has called an abomination before Him.
Our hearts should be broken before God as we watch our nation spiral into the worship of pagan gods, witnessing the moral erosion of that, which God had so richly blessed. No different are we today than those of the Old Testament peoples who defied the LORD God Almighty. And no different are we today, than a nation which stands on the brink of God’s judgment.
Oh, that we might rise up men and women. That we’d become unashamedly bold in our words and actions. Committed to humbly beseech the Lord in prayer… relentlessly, unceasingly, with broken hearts, filled with humility.
Let us never forget the wisdom of God’s Word as recorded in Proverbs: “Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.” “He who guards your souls knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.” “When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.” “When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall.” 24:12; 28:2; 29:16
O LORD our God and Father, have mercy upon our nation. Look beyond the sins and arrogance of those who rebel against you and your Word, and protect you children who love you with wholehearted devotion and seek to bring glory to your Holy name upon this country. Amen!