The Reality of our Day

I began our Bible study in Nehemiah last night. As I studied and prepared to introduce our new study, I was deeply burdened and challenged. I will admit that it has been some time since I felt the heaviness of soul that I do today. We are in a desperate situation in America. Society, in large part, has forsaken God. Many have as much as said that they want no part of Him or His Word. He has been removed almost entirely from the public arena. In our day of "political correctness" most are afraid to mention, much less associate with the Lord publicly. Those who do are viewed as backward, outdated, and even ignorant. Soceity has gotten to the place that it feels to educated and informed to believe in a lving God. "Religion" is something viewed as a crutch for those who lack confidence and need something to lean on. Our society has become to "intelligent" to accpet the truths of the Bible. Many today feel as if the benefits of church attendance have run their course. In our modern day, most consider church to be a waste of time, something that may have had benefit years ago, but is no longer relevant.

I suppose I would be conisdered old fashioned and fundamental by the main stream, and that is just fine with me. I have been this way all of my life and as I have reached middle age, I have decided that I am to old to change now. I do not say that out of arrogance or an unwillingness to learn, but out of conviction and commitment. I know there is benefit to serving the Lord and seeking to live according to His Word. I suppose, according to society, I am "foolish" enough to believe what the Bible says to be true. If the Bible declares something is wrong, I agree with that. I am convicned that the Bible is the sole authority for all of life's practice and principle.

I thought of a passage of Scripture found in Psalms 33.

Psalm 33:12
    Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Psalm 33:18-22
    Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; [19] To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. [20] Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. [21] For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. [22] Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. 

Now, I am aware that this passage was written to the nation of Israel, prior to the coming of our Lord. We have to be careful when studying Scripture so that we don't apply promises reserved for Israel nationally to the church. This was given to them, but there is clear application for us and any other nation. A people who fear God and honor Him will be blessed. America once was counted within that category, but she has lost her way. The God of heaven, the King of kings and Lord of lords, is no longer the God of our nation. There are many who still seek Him and serve Him among us, but our nation as a whole does not embrace or welcome the Lord or His presence. 

That is very discouraging, but I am also reminded that God is mindful of His own. His eye is upon those that fear Him. He is our source, our Anchor, our strength, and our hope. We as God's people need to seek Him and intercede on behalf of our land. We need a spiritual stirring that will result in a spiritual awakening. The only hope for America is for the people of God to be stirred and revived in their hearts. The lost and ungodly will never have revival. We are the only hope for revival. If a genuine revival were to break out, lost souls would be saved and we would see a difference in America. 

The responsibility rests upon our shoulders. What will our generation do about the condition of society? What will the eternal history book reveal about the lives we lived? Will we rise up, seek the Lord, and make a difference, or will we turn a blind eye and deaf ear to the needs of our day. The church getting right and seeking the Lord is our only hope. The White House and halls of Congress will not legislate necessary change. That will only come through the church. Now is our time. Will we sieze the opportunity and assume the responsibility? I pray that we will. Time will tell, but I shudder to think what awaits the coming generation if we do nothing! 

Preacher Chris