Friday, July 8, 2016

NATION

Everybody has been writing and posting about what has happened of late in Baton Rouge and Minneapolis and Dallas and other places.  There aren't enough words that weigh heavily enough to describe the sorrow and regret it's worthy of.

We are a nation that is increasingly asking as well as showing in its actions, beliefs and attitudes:  'Who is the Lord?'

In the Old Testament, Moses is ready to lead the Israelites from the wilderness into the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering.  After an entire generation of ungratefuls have died in the desert, it's finally time to go in.  But before they do, Moses has something to say.

'Be people who obey the Law - and don't forget to keep your reverence for God.  And when you get in there, don't forget to be grateful.'

Why would Moses possibly have to remind the people to be grateful?  Because it's human nature to forget.  And one day you may wake up and ask:  'Who is the Lord?'

When a nation loses its sense of Divine accountability, the natural outflow is they no longer feel compelled to treat others with compassion and care because, after all, 'I earned what I have - you have no right to it.'

If any nation on planet earth should understand this, it should be us.  To think for one moment - when we see all we've been given - that it was through our own ingenious innovation - when we start to think and believe it was because we were so clever - that's when we start to say: 'Who is the Lord?'

And God answers:  'If you ignore Me and act like you don't know Me, there will be consequences for your choices.'

But lest you think where we are as a nation is beyond correction and repentance - we're too far gone - things are too bad -- let me remind you that we've factored God back in before.

Note what happened in this country in 1944 just before we went into France to turn back German forces.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt used the radio to link the nation through prayer:

'My fellow Americans -- I ask you to join me in prayer:  "Almighty God ... our sons have set upon a mighty endeavor.  Lead them straight and true;   give them strength and steadfastness.  They will need Your blessings, for the enemy is strong.  Some will never return.  Embrace these, Father and receive them into Your Kingdom.  For us at home, help us rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in this hour of sacrifice.  Many have urged that I call the nation to a day of special prayer.  But because the road is long, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer.  As we rise to each new day, and again when the day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Your help.  And Lord, give us faith in You.  Faith in our sons.  Faith in each other.  Lead us to the saving of our country and a peace that will let all men live in freedom.  Your will be done, Almighty God.  Amen.'

The New York Times printed The Lord's Prayer in a full page ad in its paper that day.
Lord & Taylor didn't open that day in New York City.  They sent all 3,000 employees home - to pray.
The entire city of Columbus, Ohio came to a complete stop for 5 minutes during the day.  Cars stopped in the middle of the street and people inside prayed.

Because in that moment we acknowledged that even with our great might and power, we still needed the help and favor and blessing of God.  In that moment we were not a nation who was saying: 'Who is the Lord?'

If we have anyone to thank, it's God.  If we should fear anything at all, it should be that we would become a nation who begins to say, 'Who is the Lord?'

We can still change this country.  We can still make a difference as the people of God.  We can still be families of faith.  We can still stand up for what is right and be folks who understand they have an accountability to God.

We can pray for our leaders.  We can be people who seek God.  We can repent.  And in doing so, we would send a message that there really are still people in this nation with a conscience that is Godly -- that there really are still people who won't forget who God is and how dependent on Him they are.

And be blessed.

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