It’s probably a little odd that the title of this
entry is also the title of my blog. No, I’m not suffering from writer’s block,
unable to come up with a suitable title—although at times that does happen. And
no, it’s not a lack-of-coffee issue—I’m on my third cup, (Disclaimer: It’s a very small cup!).
All joking aside, there is something on my mind and heart about which I feel
led to write. While I always write from my heart, this perhaps reaches deeper
into my heart than most topics.
Never before have I felt such deep heartfelt sorrow
and despair over the state of our nation and the rebellious direction we seem
to be traveling—away from truth, away from justice, away from faithfulness, and
basically, away from God. The words of Isaiah are pounding in my head:
Isaiah 59:2, 12-15 (NIV)
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his
face from you, so that he will not hear. … For our offenses are many in your
sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we
acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning
our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts
have conceived. So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a
distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is
nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and
was displeased that there was no justice.
During the time of Hosea, prophet and contemporary of
the prophet Isaiah, Israel was in great turmoil—all the while busily satiating
their own lustful and sinful desires. The Lord God had had enough and sent word
through Hosea to charge Israel face to face with their sinful ways. The graphic
details can be read in Hosea, chapter four. Hosea is not an easy book to read. Yet,
the root of the problem was made quite clear:
Hosea 4:1-2 (NIV) There is no faithfulness, no love, no
acknowledgement of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder,
stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
What a scathing indictment for a people who were to
be set apart as God’s chosen ones; a people who were to be a witness of God’s
love and faithfulness to all the nations surrounding them. It was God’s
intention that the Israelites would draw all nations to him. Instead of
remaining steadfast, the Israelites chose in rebellion to assimilate into the
cultures around them. The result?
Hosea 4:14 (NIV,
last phrase) “A people without understanding will come to ruin!”
And come to ruin they did. History tells us that Samaria,
the grand capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel, fell to the Assyrians
in 722 B.C. The account can be found in 2 Kings.
2 Kings 17:5-6 (NIV) The
king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched against Samaria and laid siege
to it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea [king of Israel], the king
of Assyria [Shalmaneser V] captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to
Assyria.
Time and again, God
sent his leaders and prophets to warn both the nations of Judah and Israel of
the consequences of their sins. He
commanded them not to take any other gods or worship any gods found among the
neighboring peoples. He instructed them not to follow the practices of other
nations. God’s people were to set the example. God’s people were to set the
standard. God’s people were to remain faithful to him alone.
The sad truth of
their rebelliousness and its consequences are recorded in 2 Kings.
2 Kings 17:7-22 (NIV, excerpts used to summarize events) All this
took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God. ...
They did wicked things that provoked the LORD to anger. ... The LORD warned
Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways.
Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I
commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants
the prophets.” But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their
fathers, who did not trust in the LORD their God. ... They imitated the nations
around them although the LORD had ordered them, “Do not do as they do,” and
they did the things the LORD had forbidden them to do. … So the LORD was very
angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. …So the people of Israel
were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria…
To be honest with
you, although I am distressed by the decline of our nation’s moral character, I
am even more distressed with the complacency of those of us who call ourselves
Christians—and yes, I said “us” because I include myself. We hear politicians
tear down one another, actively plotting and scheming entire books of lies and
rumors. We see lack of respect for our President to the point where he himself
questions whom he can trust. We yawn, and turn away; “I’m only one person, what
can I do about it anyway?” Isaiah was one person. Hosea was one person. One
person can do much when their trust is in God.
You see, God does not
change. So let’s be clear. If he did not want his people to sin then; he does
not want his people to sin now. If he did not approve of cursing, lying,
murder, stealing, and adultery (v. 2) then; he does not approve of cursing,
lying, murder, stealing, and adultery now. If he did not want his people to
worship other gods then; he does not want his people to worship other gods now.
If he did not want his people to imitate the nations around them then; he does
not want his people to imitate the nations around them now.
There is a solution!
And there is hope! All the Israelites needed to do was:
Hosea 14:2 (NIV) Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to
him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously”
You see, God does not change. So let’s be clear. If
he wanted his people to repent then; he wants his people to repent now. If he
wanted his people to acknowledge him, love him, and be faithful only unto him
(v. 1) then; he wants his people to acknowledge him, love him, and be faithful
only unto him now. If he wanted his people to trust him then; he wants his
people to trust him now, perhaps now more than ever!
Isaiah 58:9 (NIV) Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you
will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Acts 3:19 (NIV) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins
may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
Ephesians 6:13-18 (NIV) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so
that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and
after you have done everything, to stand. … With this in mind, be alert and
always keep on praying for all the saints.
Colossians 2:6-8 (NIV) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus
as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in
the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that
no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends
on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on
Christ.
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV) Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we
profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur
one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the
more as you see the Day approaching.
1 Peter 4:7 (NIV) The end of all things is near, Therefore be clear
minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
What is the bottom line? Pray. Pray that God would
shake the dust of complacency off our hearts. Pray that we will no longer view
our Christianity as we would a casual membership club card. Pray for our
nation. Pray for our President, that he might 1st trust God, and 2nd
be surrounded with those, who also trust God, whom he can trust. Pray before
you vote. Pray after you vote. Pray daily that our nation will once again be,
“One nation, under God.”
Respectfully written and submitted by:
Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian
