Daily we see headlines of chaos, lawlessness, violence, crime, and death. Maybe anxiety, turmoil, anger, and dissention lurk within our own families. We know that God made male and female and honors the sanctity of marriage, but man’s rebellion defies God’s ordained order and invents his own gender identity.
God put authorities in place to govern man’s behavior, but man defunds the police, decriminalizes murder of the unborn, legitimizes drugs, and applauds the criminals. Do we have our heads in the sand?
Many people do not like to TALK about the obvious shaking up of our planet because of God’s coming judgment. “It is too depressing.” “I can’t do anything about it anyway, so why should I care?”
But we turn our faces away. We turn a deaf ear. We stick our heads in the sand.
Still others do not want to face the ACTION we are called to do: Stand firm in your faith which is built on the firm foundation of the Word of God, the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 16:13); Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-13); Go into all the world and make disciples… If we cannot go, let us support those who can (Matthew 28:19); Preach the gospel to every person. Tell them of God’s saving grace (Mark 16:15); Do good, seek justice, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow (Isaiah 1:17); Love one another (John 13:34).
We are called to action, and lying down is not an action. Neither is putting our heads in the sand. (I speak to myself as well throughout this blog.)
With the seemingly out-of-control darkness swirling around us, and the threat to our very freedom to mention God, or to offer to pray for and with another sojourner, just think what may happen if we take our heads out of the sand. What if we wake up? What if we put on the whole armor of God. Imagine what we could do if we stood firmly in the strength of the Lord?
Could America be spared its pending judgment? God has averted His judgment in the past because of repentance and turning to Him – Moses and the Israelites, Jonah and the Ninevites, and God’s words from 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Let’s join Allen Jackson, World Outreach Church, in this fitting prayer:
“Almighty God, only You can deliver us from the tyranny of darkness. It is only Your holiness and righteousness that can bring freedom. Forgive us for ignoring Your invitations, for giving our hearts to things that dishonor You. We turn away from the pursuit of pleasure, the love of money, and self-absorption. We choose to honor You above all else. Forgive us for ignoring Your truth. Forgive us for accommodating ungodliness. Forgive us for preferring the acceptance of others more than we have desired Your approval. Look upon us with mercy; pour out upon us a Spirit of holiness and the fear of the Lord. May our hearts be turned to You. In Jesus’ name we ask.”
When we pray, God often shows mercy, but there is a definite end to His mercy. When the period of mercy is over no door is left open for prayer.