If My People

Today is the Fourth of July – the celebration in the United States of our Declaration of Independence on this date in 1776. Americans celebrate with parades, family barbecues, and fireworks. It is the one day of the year that our citizens come together united in our gracefulness for the freedoms we enjoy – for our life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

But all is not well in the United States in 2012 – some 236 years since we proclaimed our independence. There is a prevailing sense that somehow our nation is broken. It’s like the wheels are coming off the train and we are careening towards certain disaster. There’s a sense that our nation is in decline, and we may not recover from our present situation.

I captured these sentiments this morning when I wrote the following in my journal: “Lord, our nation is in trouble. We are a country adrift from morality, and our fundamental roots are being uprooted.

“It seems like we are no longer the United States, but have lost our way and become the Disunited States. Our citizens are almost equally divided on every issue. The majority scorns the idea of moral absolutes; therefore, we no longer have any common values that bind our nation together.”

The sad part is that no one seems to know what to do. Our 3 branches of government don’t seem to be able to work together. There’s an ongoing battle between Federal and State governments; Democrats and Republicans; Rich vs. Poor; Black vs. White; Asian vs. Latino; Christians vs. Muslims; Men vs. Women; and Citizens vs. Immigrants.

Is there anything Americans can do to save our nation? The good news is that there is an answer – the Good News. Government isn’t the answer; Jesus Christ is the ONLY answer to save us from our sin – and to save our nation.

More specifically, the answer is the Church – God’s people on earth. God provides the solution in 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people, who are called by my name, will 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 heal their land.”

The answer is not government. The answer is Jesus Christ. And the first step in our reconciliation lies with God’s people. If believers don’t initiate the renaissance, then our nation is DOOMED. This isn’t true only in the United States; it’s true of every nation on earth.

To heal our nation – any nation – the Church must follow God’s prescription for what is ailing it. Let’s humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from our own wicked ways. By faith, let’s believe that God will then forgive our collective sin – and will HEAL our land. It’s all up to the Church.

© 2012 Designed to Serve®