Responding To A Nation’s Crisis

America is a nation in crisis economically, politically, and morally. All you have to do is look around and you will see that our country is in trouble. In the Bible we read of a country whose people were in “great trouble” (Nehemiah 1:3).

The people of Judah had been taken into Babylonian captivity. In time, Cyrus, king of Persia, overthrew Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem, although not all the exiles returned,and those who did return did not return all at the same time. One of the Jewish exiles, a man named Nehemiah, was the cupbearer to the king. One day Nehemiah’s brother and some other men visited and Nehemiah “asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 1:2). They told Nehemiah that “the remnant…is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire” (Nehemiah 1:3). As soon as Nehemiah heard their report he “sat down and wept and mourned for days,” and he “continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4). Their report was not good. Without walls and gates the city could not defend itself against enemy attacks and the residents were at risk.

After hearing the report, Nehemiah grieved for his people. His heart broke for the situation his people found themselves in. He was so heartbroken and concerned that he wept and mourned for days.

No doubt we all recall the events of 9/11 that left us all feeling vulnerable. We grieved for young children who lost their moms or dads, for spouses who lost their mates, for moms and dads who lost their children, and for other family members. We grieved as a nation for the loss and pain inflicted on so many. Similarly, Nehemiah grieved for the pain and shame his people were experiencing.

Nehemiah also fasted. Fasting is a way for us to draw nearer to God so that we may get to know Him deeper. Nehemiah’s grief led him to fast, to go without food, in order to seek God and discern His will.
Nehemiah also prayed a moving prayer of adoration, confession, and intercession (Nehemiah 1:5-10). In his prayer he acknowledges God’s greatness and faithfulness. Nehemiah also acknowledges and confesses his and his people’s sinfulness, specifically, the way they had acted and their disobedience to God’s word.
Jerusalem was in a crisis and Nehemiah knew that God was their only hope. In the same way, God is America’s only hope. Not a politician, party or even policies. America needs God. Our nation is living in blatant sin before God. Like the people of Judah, we have acted corruptly. Our nation desperately needs to turn from her sin and turn to God. In light of this, as Christians, we can follow Nehemiah’s example:

1. We need to grieve for our nation. Our hearts ought to break over the decisions that our leaders and justices are making and the direction our country is headed. Our hearts ought to break over the blatant sin that is rampant in our society.

2. We can fast before God on behalf of our nation. We can go without some meals and use that time to draw near to God and seek His face. The psalmist Asaph wrote, “In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord…” (Psalm 77:2).

3. We must pray to God for our nation. We need to acknowledge His greatness and faithfulness. We need to confess our sins and the sins of our nation. We need to plead for God’s mercy. We need to pray for our fellow citizens to come to the realization of the truth found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to pray for our leaders. Paul gave this instruction: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:1-2). We also need to ask God to raise up godly leaders.

God is the only hope for a nation in crisis. Realizing that, we need to respond to our nation’s crisis as Nehemiah did: grieving, fasting, and praying.

Call To Prayer

The first Thursday of May is recognized as the National Day of Prayer. In 1775, the first Continental Congress called for a National Day of Prayer, asking the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation. President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation designating April 30, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. In his proclamation, Lincoln wrote, “It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.” In 1952, the National Day of Prayer was created by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. I am thankful for each citizen across our nation who took time on this day of prayer to pray for our nation and leaders. 

Recently while reading through the Psalms I read David’s words, recorded in Psalm 11:3, “if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” As I look at our nation today it is clear that the foundations of our nation are being destroyed. For example, our religious liberties are under attack. Tolerance is the buzzword of our day; however, many are intolerant of Christianity. Christians are accused of imposing our views on others; however, those who make this accusation are themselves imposing their own views—views that are contrary to God’s Word. Morality is at an all-time low. In fact, many people are substituting feelings for Judeo-Christian, God-based standards. Many people today no longer ask if an action is right or wrong because to them moral choices are simply a matter of individual taste. In addition, our nation’s debt crisis, the debate over the definition of marriage, and the growing entitlement mentality are signs that our nation’s foundations are being destroyed.

When we see our nation’s foundations being destroyed what can we do? Like David, we can trust God. In Psalm 11:1, David writes, “In the Lord I take refuge.” God is completely trustworthy. As in David’s day, God’s throne is in heaven (Ps. 11:4). God is still sovereign. He reigns over all things, all people, all leaders, and all nations. As sovereign King He is very much in control. Trust God!

Like David, we can also turn to God. David writes, “The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man” (Ps. 11:4). David looked around and saw the challenging times but then he looked above to God. He knew that God sees all and therefore knows all. God sees and knows what is happening in our nation as well. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul instructs Christians to turn to God by making “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings…for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Our neighbors need our prayers. Our co-workers need our prayers. Our leaders need our prayers. Turn to God in prayer!

There is something we can do as we look around and see the foundations of our nation being destroyed—we can trust God and turn to Him in prayer. As President Lincoln encouraged the citizens of his day, may we all humble ourselves before God, confess our national (and personal) sins, and pray for clemency (or mercy) and forgiveness.

A Lesson From Seashells

While on a recent trip to Gulf Shores with our family I went for a walk on the beach with my oldest daughter, Haley. As we were walking along I would stop and pick up a seashell. Depending on what the seashell looked like, I would either rinse off the sand and place it in my pocket to keep or I would simply discard it, dropping it back on the seashore. Something occurred to me while doing this: I was only selecting and keeping the seashells that were pretty or those that were whole. I kept discarding the ones that were broken, cracked or not quite as pretty.

As I reflected on this process I had a thought: is this how we treat people? Our culture places great emphasis on beauty. From billboards to magazine covers, from television shows to commercials, it seems outward beauty is most desired. In fact, people go to great lengths to attain the beauty so craved by the world (facelifts, tummy tucks, etc.). In addition, many people have been taught to stay away from those people who aren’t “like us.” In other words, if someone has problems, or is slow or troubled, we dare not associate with them. After all, they’re not quite whole. So, like my seashells, we toss these people aside or simply ignore them.

If we buy into the world’s philosophy of what beauty is, or some erroneous teaching that tells us to disassociate ourselves from people not “like us,” then how will we be able to share the love of Jesus? Perhaps we need to take a good look in the mirror, or better yet, a good look in the Bible. In the Bible we learn that “none is righteous, no not one” (Rom. 3:23). So, lest we think we are whole, and have it all together and that others are beneath us, just remember: apart from God’s righteousness we are broken. In addition, we learn that Jesus came not “to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Lk. 5:32). He invested His life in broken people of His day. He did not pick and choose. He simply loved.

Cause for Concern

The recent discovery of 7-year old Julian King's body in the rear seat of an SUV about 10 miles from his home is quite disturbing. Even more disturbing is the fact that authorities said today that he died of "multiple gunshot wounds" (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,444368,00.html?sPage=fnc/us/crime). A 7-year old boy dies from multiple gunshot wounds. Now I did not know Julian, nor did I know his aunt Jennifer Hudson. But when I heard the news it broke my heart. Why? Because a young child was murdered in cold blood. His young life was taken from him by a ruthless killer.

As I prepared to post this blog, I looked at other current news stories which also disturb me. For example, consider the following news captions from http://www.foxnews.com/...
"Murder Indictment: American Co-ed Charged in Killing Of Student in Italy"
"Slain North Carolina Jogger's Husband Charged With Her Murder"
"Florida Toddler's Mother Pleads Not Guilty to First-Degree Murder in Death of Her Child"
"Man Accused of Killing, Dismembering Father Undergoes Mental Tests"
"Suspect Hunted in Arkansas TV Anchor's Murder"
"Teen Pleads Guilty for Killing His Sleeping Family"
"Police: 14-Year-Old South Carolina Boy Killed Pregnant Mom, Unborn Sister"
"AP: Hudson Murder Suspect Had June Drug Bust"

Have you read enough? I have! When I heard about the killing of 7-year old Julian I was reminded of what Mother Teresa said, "The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion...because if a mother can kill her own child - what is left for me to kill you and you to kill me - There is nothing between." (http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1979/teresa-lecture.html) Mother Teresa understood and acknowledged what most politicians and judges will never admit--if you do not value the life of an innocent baby then you will certainly not value life at any age! This is why we read such news captions as above. And this is why the family of 7-year old Julian King mourns today...too many people no longer value life.

By the way, I find it interesting that American courts will try, and often convict murderers of murder and yet continue to condone the murderous act of abortion. The murder of anyone, regardless of their age or stage in life, is wrong. It is a cause for concern.