Over the last six months, we have seen much disruption and chaos in the lives of the average American citizen which started due to the novel corona virus; the nation being told to shelter in place; businesses closed (some never to be reopened); employees either being laid off and/or furloughed. The only ones working were the ones deemed to be “essential workers” (and it’s still not clear what science / data was used to differentiate between “essential” and “non-essential” workers). Additionally, I cannot recall where any government agency (federal / state) dared to tell places of worship that they could not assemble – in any capacity (and with some of the State’s Governors / Mayors declaring that any church caught assembling would be fined – with possible jail time); even some church members being fined for attending outdoor church services with their car windows rolled up and their radios turned on.
On top of this, there was the death of George Floyd. The country agrees that this was a horrible tragic event (and the officers involved have been charged accordingly). Peaceful protests have ensued. The protestors have come from every race, ethnicity, and nationality. However, there have also been those groups that have hijacked the peaceful protest movements – and have instigated riots, looting, burning of buildings (where people work to provide for their families and loved ones), and just as tragically, many Governors / Mayors turned a blind eye to all the destruction, and the people they swore an oath to protect.
In retrospect of everything that has transpired over the last six months, our nation has seen some of the bitterest divide amongst its people. Politically, everything has come down to a binary choice, and we have been left without any room for debate. Rather than listen to what the other person has to say in a peaceful dialog, many have become ruthless in trying to shut down any opposing viewpoints.
But I also see a greater problem here in our country that many do not want to discuss. Many within our country, even many church members, have falsely believed that our government can solve the problems within our country. Many seem to believe that the elected officials should have all the answers (and our politicians like to believe they have the answers / solutions); but at the end of the day we are really no better off than when we started. What has been missing in our country is true “revival”.
True “revival” does not necessarily mean we call in a bunch of preachers to preach during a week (though preaching God’s Word is a good place for rebuke, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness to begin). True “revival” comes to individuals, homes, churches, and a nation when there is a time of prayer, repentance (a broken and contrite heart), turning away from our wicked ways, and turning our hearts toward God.
Psalms 51:17 states,
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 also states,
“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.”
If we truly want to see “the state of our nation” change for the better, we must first begin with ourselves, as Psalms 51:10-13 calls out unto the Lord,
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”
When this type of “revival” begins in the hearts of God’s people, we can then truly share words of comfort through the Lord.
Psalms 9:9-10,
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
Let each of us (individually and collectively as churches) do our part in making a positive difference to change the tide of “the state of our nation”.
