“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”” Luke 19:41-44 (emphasis mine)
The question for those of us here in America is what makes us think this could not happen to us?
As Christians, I think many of us saw God’s promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him as synonymous with Israel and the covenant God made with Jacob. I would say this was accurate right up to the point Jesus spoke over Jerusalem in the passage above when He said “but now“. After that, the truth regarding the promise God made to Abraham was hidden from them because they did not recognize the time of God’s coming. The blessing was and always will be towards those who by faith believe in Messiah, and recognize that Christ is the fulfillment of that promise. As Christians, we have become Abraham’s spiritual descendants. But we cannot take for granted that just because America was founded upon Christian principles by Godly, yielded men, that she will always be blessed no matter how far away from that we may come. If we continue down this same path, I believe America will be cut off just as Jerusalem was.
“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.” Romans 11:17-21 (emphasis mine)
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done ON EARTH as it is in heaven… (Matthew 6:10). His kingdom is here, now, within us, and this world longs for it to be manifested. The Holy Spirit chooses to manifest Himself and His power through us, not in spite of us. I know the rocks will cry out if we are silent (Luke 19:40), but we were not made to be silent. We were made for His glory, that His light may shine through us.
How can we change the course of America? We can do this in two strategic ways: prayer and action.
It is critical that we pray. The bible says that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) avails much (James 5:16)! And we all know 2 Chronicles 7:14 by heart (or at least we should) – “If my people, which are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Proverbs 21:1 tells us that the king’s heart is like channels of water in the hands of the Lord, He turns it wherever He wishes. Do you believe God more than what you see, more than what you hear out there in the world today? If your answer is yes, then you cannot help but pray His will be done in our land, and that He guides the hearts of our leaders into paths of righteousness!
It is also critical we take action. Don’t stay inside your spiritual bubble and think that God will come and rapture you out of here! Don’t presume to think that just because of what is going on in America now means that the Lord must be returning in our lifetime. Remember, the Lord may not be slow concerning His promise but He is slow to anger and rich in love, and He doesn’t want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9 and Psalms 145:8). I cannot help but think there were Germans in the days of Hitler that also felt the time had come, and perhaps sat by and did nothing as a result.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” (George Santayana). This is more clearly expressed in a quote by Edmond Burke, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. Sadly, within the last half century, Christians in America have elected ungodly politicians and judges that have systematically removed God from our public life and political arena, but we cannot allow that to continue.
Lead your families in the ways of the Lord! Be examples of God’s love towards others! Get involved in your community and in public life as well. Don’t just vote but know who you are voting for and why! Salvation brings obligation. I believe the scripture that tells us to study to show ourselves approved goes way beyond just scripture, but into all other areas of life as well. We are responsible for the decisions we make in life, and I believe we will be held accountable for them.
Do you want God to be longsuffering towards America? The only way America can once again be seen as that shining city on a hill is for us ourselves to be conduits or channels of His kingdom and manifest that kingdom here, now. Change is a big buzzword in our society today, but a real and lasting change back towards greatness and blessing in America will come through us, to His glory and not our own. Praying God’s kingdom be manifested through us here and now is not just for our sakes alone, but for our children. We do not want America to become a place of spiritual desolation and darkness for future generations.
Just in case you are still thinking there is no hope, I would encourage you to not only read the portion of Romans chapter 11 I already mentioned, but the whole chapter in it’s entirety. Romans 11:2-5 tells us that God did not reject His people, and reminds us of the story of Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel when he thought of those who worshiped God in Israel, he alone was left. God’s answer to Elijah is the same answer today. There is a remnant chosen by grace, and that remnant is us!
Alabastersky 