As I look back over the years of my life, I see how much our country has changed. I see the moral decay. I see the astronomical proportion of self-centeredness. The ridiculous “I’m offended” mentality. The rise of division. The ever-growing desire to take God out of our country. As a result, we cannot turn on the news without a story of murder, terrorist attack, or crime. Anger burns in the hearts of people. Hate swells. Families fall apart.
In Psalm 120:1, the psalmist wrote, “I’m in trouble. I cry to God, desperate for an answer.” The only thing that will change the course this county is on is for every Christian to follow in the footsteps of this verse. I don’t think any of us would disagree that our nation is in trouble. It’s time that we unite together, cry out to God with a holy desperation for Him to answer.
At the same time, we can look at Psalm 115:1-2 and say, “not for our sake, God, no not for our sake, but for your name’s sake, show your glory. Do it on account of your merciful love, do it on account of your faithful ways. Do it so none of the nations can say, “Where now, oh where is their God?” America has always been known as a Christian nation, but I have to wonder how many other nations look at us now, laughing in derision as they say, “Where is their God now?”
The further down the path of sin this nation travels, the further away we move from God and His blessings. Throughout the Bible, we can see example after example of nations and people groups that became nonexistent due to God’s judgment:
- Sodom & Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20)
- The Hittites (Exodus 23:23)
- Edom (Jeremiah 49:17-22)
- Babylon (Jeremiah 51)
- Philistines (Zephaniah 2:5)
- Moabites (Zephaniah 2:8-10)
- Assyria (Zephaniah 2:13-15
As people and nations step outside of the boundaries of God’s law, live for themselves, and think they don’t need God, they basically are setting themselves up to be their own god. They shake their fist at God and scream “We don’t need You! We don’t want You!” As they continue down the path that leads away from God, they are following the path that leads closer to Satan. There are no other alternative paths. You either choose the path that leads to God and righteousness or slide down the slippery slope that leads to Satan.
Is it too late for America? Have we gone so far that God will not hear our cry? I don’t believe so. If God would have saved Sodom and Gomorrah for just 10 righteous people, then America can steal turn around and start back down the path to God. How? 2 Chronicles 7:14 gives us the answer. “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.”
A spiritual awakening, a true revival, needs to sweep across this nation. It is time for Christians to wake up. To stop waiting on some other Christian to step out and lead this nation back to God. It isn’t a job to place in the hand of our pastors. Revival begins within each one of us. In our own hearts as God convicts us and draws us to Him. It begins when we say (and mean it), “I surrender all.” It is time for Christians (regardless of denomination or religious affiliation) to humble ourselves and pray and seek God’s face. As we do, he will reveal to us the areas of our lives that are displeasing to Him. We then have the opportunity to repent and turn away from those things as we ask God to forgive us, cleanse us, and to renew a right spirit with in us. When we do, God promises that He will then hear from heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land.
Will you join me in praying for a revival to sweep across our nation? Would you commit to taking time daily to cry out to God, desperately wanting an answer of revival for America? Would you take 2 Chronicles 7:14 into your own heart and ask God to bring a revival within you? Would you be willing to desperately surrender to God with a heart that wants to experientially know Him? Will you cry out to Him, “Lord, have your way in me?”
