Although the election is long-since over, it seems all we're hearing about... still... is how our new president is ushering in change. I realize that not everyone reading this will agree with me (there's always that "one"), but personally, the change I'm seeing isn't good. In fact, I find it most disturbing. Our once great, God-fearing nation has become a nation who serves many gods (emphasis on the "little g"). And although he doesn't come right out and say it, it seems our president even worships a different god... apparently, Allah. Otherwise, why would he go to great lengths to appease other religions (more specifically, the Islamic faith)? Why would he choose not to observe the National Day of Prayer, as other presidents before him have done? Why would he tell a Muslim country that America is not a Christian nation? I could go on and on, but I'd rather not, for the sake of getting my point for this article across in a timely manner.
With all the focus on "change", I thought it refreshing to look into God's Word and see some of the many lives that experienced "real" change. One such example is the Apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul... "Saul, the Persecutor of Christians". I'd say his life was probably the most changed, given the complete turn-around there. One day he's executing the persecution and capture of those early Christians; the next, he has a life-changing experience (as we refer to it in giving our own evangelistic testimonies), which totally transforms him from the man he was into the greatest missionary ever. I love reading of this change. In fact, the Apostle Paul IS 1 Corinthians 5:17!
Wouldn't it be great if our nation's leaders experienced such a change? Do you think we'd still be hearing of more and more laws being passed to abolish the Ten Commandments and other Biblical references from our government buildings? Do you think we'd still ban prayer and the Bible from our schools? Do you think we'd still be killing babies? Do you think we'd still be making the worship of other gods more accessible in public places, as well as in many corporate offices? Do you think we'd still be seeing homosexual behavior get the royal pat-on-the-back, while the Christians who stand up for "one man, one woman" in marriage get the royal cold shoulder? It's a travesty to think of how far we've come... on the downward slope.
Morals are nothing more than a joke today. It troubles me that despite what our country's forefathers accomplished and decreed, and envisioned for the future, we haven't remained true to it. I can remember growing up, and feeling the pride of being an American, while studying our country's history. I now shudder at what our children are heaving to learn in history class today.
Isn't there something we can do to stop this roller coaster ride to destruction? Isn't there a way to get back on the right track, before it's too late?
Well... yes, there is. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, we find the answer. According to God's Word... "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."
And that's exactly what each of us, as Christians, need to pray for each and every day... for our country (corporately and individually) to turn back to the God of its foundation, and repent of all our sins, forsaking other gods, choosing to follow the One, True God. That's what it's gonna take.
Have you ever gone on and read what happens if we refuse to do that?
The rest of that chapter tells us...
The choice is simple. Do we want God's blessings? Or do we want to continue in this downward spiral? We MUST pray... fervently... for change. Not the kind "man" brings, but rather, the kind of change only God can bring... the kind He brought to the Apostle Paul. Remember, our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What He did then, He can still do today. THAT'S change we can believe in!
But we MUST pray. Amen!
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