July 5, 2015

Yesterday, our nation celebrated 239 years of independence from the British Empire. I am so grateful to live in a city whose citizens take such great personal pride in bringing to life the words of Francis Scott Key: “The rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air!” :-)

The cry for freedom was central to the founding of this nation.  When one Human Being is enslaved, all of Humanity suffers; When one Soul is Lost, all of Creation groans.  All Human Systems of Governance: political or ecclesiastical are flawed; however, they should represent an attempt to recognize and celebrate the Creator in His Creation.  

The greatness of the United States is not that it has fulfilled its ideals, it has not; and on more than a few occasions, it has failed miserably.  Nevertheless, the greatness of the United States is that is HAS ideals…and those ideals presuppose a Creator and are founded upon the Scripture.  It is this understanding that has allowed our nation to attempt to right its wrongs; and address its failings.  The Abolitionist Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and other Cries for Freedom appealed to our founding ideals and began in the Pulpits of America.  

But what happens when the nation drifts from those Scriptural moorings?  Even worse, what do we do when our Leaders in Business, Education, Government, and Entertainment demonstrate an open disdain for any religious perspective that does not support their worldview?  What do we do when the “Tolerant” of the World are the most intolerant of The Scripture and of the Ways of God? 

Psalm 12:8 NIV78 - The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.

What do we do when our Nation, our Society, and our People begin to drift from the ways of the Lord?  What do we do when righteousness is mocked and “what is vile is honored,” and celebrated?  What do we do when violence fills our Land and Secularism has become a Religion of its own making?  Our nation is truly at a time of crisis, the tipping point of which may have already begun.

Indeed, there is much to be done, but it all starts with the People of God getting serious about their God and calling on His Great Name. Revival begins with Repentance, and Repentance begins in Prayer.

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 AMP - If I shut up heaven so no rain falls, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, 14 If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.