Psalm 10: 4-5, 11, 14 (NLT) The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead. Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They sneer at all their enemies. They think, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us! We will be free of trouble forever!” ... The wicked think, “God isn’t watching us! He has closed his eyes and won’t even see what we do.” ... But you see the trouble and grief they cause, You take note of it and punish them.
John 16:33 (NIV) [Jesus answered,] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Words written some 3,000 years ago by the Psalmist might be just as appropriately written today. We are indeed living in perilous times. The wicked are portrayed as those who are oppressed, while those striving for right are portrayed as oppressors. Something has gone terribly wrong—and that something is a turning away from being One Nation Under God to becoming One Nation Under SELF. Those who mistakenly believe God no longer sees or no longer cares what they do are in for quite a shock. For truly, God does see, he does know, and he will not tolerate wickedness in any form or to any degree. It may not seem like it now, but justice will prevail!
What does all this mean for the disheartened Christian? We are sickened by the disrespect for our nation, for our President, for our military servicemen, for those in law enforcement, and for our first responders. We are surrounded by troubled times. We are tempted to shrink back in fear. And perhaps the worst of all our reactions is to incorrectly assume, “I’m only one person; I can’t really do anything to help.” Yes, you can! Yes, we can!
I firmly believe there are far more Christians in our nation than we realize, and that together our prayers can have tremendous impact. Remember, Christ is our salvation, our solution, our strength. And dear friends, he has already triumphed over sin! We are not promised a trouble-free life, nor a trouble-free world in which to live, but we are promised an inner peace that is foreign to those living outside of Christ. We find that peace through prayer. Here is my challenge: NOW is the time to be in fervent prayer for our nation, our President, our military, our servicemen, law enforcement, and first responders—and for each other!
Gracious Heavenly Father,
My heart aches to see the troubles saturating our nation, especially to know the primary cause is turning to self and away from you. Responsibility begins with me. As I turn to you O Lord, I recognize that you do see trouble and grief, you do hear my prayers, and you will respond. Encourage others to join me in prayer wherever they are, for you hear every voice that calls to you.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The devotional Something Has Gone Terribly Wrong appeared first on Write From My Heart at
https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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