For those few people that periodically check out this blog I apologize for the apparent lack of interest shown here. It is not that I don’t have an adorable grandson that I could fill numerous posts with pictures of absolute cuteness but I think that this summer has been a serious time of grieving for me.I have had the privilege of praying for many young people fighting (and some losing) battles with cancer and then there is the grief I feel for what is happening in and to our country. I mention these two circumstances in the same sentence because I believe strongly that they are connected. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—“ Romans 5:12 I believe that there is a direct correlation between the amount of catastrophic disease in the world to the degree of depravity that this immoral and ungodly world has sunk to!
Today, I ran across an article that addressed this very issue and felt that it must be shared!
A Nation Under God or a Nation Going Under?
“. . .I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1, 2
These are very turbulent days—and personally, I believe we’re where we are as a nation because the Church has been apathetic about the Word of God and righteousness. Although we’re meant to impact our society as salt and light first and foremost in our lives, have we instead infected our nation by giving it a distorted image of what it means to be a child of a holy God?
Righteousness exalts a nation; sin is a reproach to any people. We are a nation under great reproach and consequently living in turbulent times.
Let me take you back in history for just a moment to another turbulent time so that we might see what part God plays in politics.
It was an unbearably hot day in the summer of 1787; just eleven years after America had declared her independence. Delegates from our thirteen states had gathered to create a historic document to unite them under one government. Sweat soaked their clothes so badly…they had to change their shirts twice a day! And their tempers, as torrid as the day, were flaring.
Men who were formerly side-by-side in their battle against England were now at war against each other! These states were anything but “united,” and they weren’t ready to be under any authority but their own.
A personal letter from James Warren to a friend in England described America’s condition at the time: “‘Money is the only object attended to, and the only acquisition that commands respect. Patriotism is ridiculed; integrity and ability are of little consequence. . . .We are now in a state of anarchy and confusion bordering on civil war.’” (Does this sound troublingly familiar?
At this historic meeting, Benjamin Franklin decided to give the document they were creating one last shot. He addressed George Washington and the assembly:
“‘How has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understanding? In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. . . .And have we now forgotten this powerful friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?’”
There was dead silence in the room…but he was not finished, and now he turned again to Washington. “‘I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: “that God governs in the affairs of man.” And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?’”
O Beloved, in a day of “political correctness” when so many Christians are apathetic about taking a stand for righteousness, you and I need to be reminded of how God governs the affairs of men…how He cares about the state of our nation and longs for us to turn and return to Him, acknowledging His sovereignty.
We desperately need His merciful assistance in America today as never before. Yet we have to remember that God does not work apart from man, but through man. Before God took His people into captivity under Babylon (present-day Iraq) because of their sin, He sought for a man to stand in the gap and He found none (Ezekiel 22:30—but read the whole chapter)!
The turmoil in our country over moral issues and political rivalry commands our involvement. There must be a searching of our hearts, a genuine mourning for our sin. We must be fervent in prayer and strong and courageous in our stand. We must be willing to stand up as Benjamin Franklin did and dare to call America to turn back to Him! And desire to uphold His absolutes.
~ Kay Arthur
In Matthew 24, Jesus described the state of affairs that would dominate the world between His ascension and His return: You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled... For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places... Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake... Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold... And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
History is known by Him in advance, and it's still under His control. The questions of the world won't be answered in peace initiatives, political movements, or world religions. The state of the world won't be redeemed by medical advances or modern technology. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only answer, and the return of Jesus Christ is the only hope.
When I am disturbed by today's headlines and tomorrow's uncertainties, I look to Jesus and trust His unfailing predictions, and lean on His unchangeable promises and I pray for Him to preserve and bless our nation!
Let me take you back in history for just a moment to another turbulent time so that we might see what part God plays in politics.
It was an unbearably hot day in the summer of 1787; just eleven years after America had declared her independence. Delegates from our thirteen states had gathered to create a historic document to unite them under one government. Sweat soaked their clothes so badly…they had to change their shirts twice a day! And their tempers, as torrid as the day, were flaring.
Men who were formerly side-by-side in their battle against England were now at war against each other! These states were anything but “united,” and they weren’t ready to be under any authority but their own.
A personal letter from James Warren to a friend in England described America’s condition at the time: “‘Money is the only object attended to, and the only acquisition that commands respect. Patriotism is ridiculed; integrity and ability are of little consequence. . . .We are now in a state of anarchy and confusion bordering on civil war.’” (Does this sound troublingly familiar?
At this historic meeting, Benjamin Franklin decided to give the document they were creating one last shot. He addressed George Washington and the assembly:
“‘How has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understanding? In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. . . .And have we now forgotten this powerful friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?’”
There was dead silence in the room…but he was not finished, and now he turned again to Washington. “‘I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: “that God governs in the affairs of man.” And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?’”
O Beloved, in a day of “political correctness” when so many Christians are apathetic about taking a stand for righteousness, you and I need to be reminded of how God governs the affairs of men…how He cares about the state of our nation and longs for us to turn and return to Him, acknowledging His sovereignty.
We desperately need His merciful assistance in America today as never before. Yet we have to remember that God does not work apart from man, but through man. Before God took His people into captivity under Babylon (present-day Iraq) because of their sin, He sought for a man to stand in the gap and He found none (Ezekiel 22:30—but read the whole chapter)!
The turmoil in our country over moral issues and political rivalry commands our involvement. There must be a searching of our hearts, a genuine mourning for our sin. We must be fervent in prayer and strong and courageous in our stand. We must be willing to stand up as Benjamin Franklin did and dare to call America to turn back to Him! And desire to uphold His absolutes.
~ Kay Arthur
In Matthew 24, Jesus described the state of affairs that would dominate the world between His ascension and His return: You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled... For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places... Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake... Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold... And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
History is known by Him in advance, and it's still under His control. The questions of the world won't be answered in peace initiatives, political movements, or world religions. The state of the world won't be redeemed by medical advances or modern technology. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only answer, and the return of Jesus Christ is the only hope.
When I am disturbed by today's headlines and tomorrow's uncertainties, I look to Jesus and trust His unfailing predictions, and lean on His unchangeable promises and I pray for Him to preserve and bless our nation!
"But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28
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