I have no doubt that we are all concerned about the state of our nation. In every free society, when issues are raised, there are likely to be a myriad of responses. Differences of opinion go back to our founders, and those differences can be healthy because they spark lively debates that hopefully will lead to wise and informed decisions. But while differences of opinion serve their purpose when it comes to debating issues, divisiveness is different in that it is bent on creating divisions among people. And it seems like today’s divisiveness goes to the core of what we, as Americans, have held dear for over two centuries now.

      Our nation was built on the foundational conviction that our Creator has given us certain inalienable rights, including “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” “Inalienable rights” are rights that cannot be stripped from us because they were given to us by God. And today, as we all know, there are those individuals, groups, and foreign nations who would love nothing more than to see those fundamental “rights” stripped from us so that a different and oppressive form of government can take over our country.   

      Let’s face it, as wonderful as our country is, in many respects we have fallen short of our primary intentions. We have been guilty of gross immorality, greed, injustice, and have oppressed others because of race, gender, or political persuasion. Sadly, I am concerned that many Americans have disregarded our commitment to “life and liberty,” and have focused instead on the personal “pursuit of happiness.” Were you aware that during the time of our nations’ founding, the word “happiness” did not mean “joyful bliss”? To the framers of the Declaration of Independence, “happiness” referred to the self-worth and dignity that one feels when they contribute to their community. It was never about the pursuit of self-gratification, but one’s contribution to the welfare of others. Sadly, we have become a nation of hedonists. As John Adams once said, “Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people.” And when our nation abandons faith and morality, our constitution is unable to function as originally intended.

      So, how should we respond during this “cultural firestorm?” Or probably a better question is, “How does God want, and expect, us to respond?” First, we need to acknowledge the fact that our real struggle is not in the physical realm, but in the spiritual realm, a realm in which we cannot see the “players.” Paul said,

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (which we can see), but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (which we cannot see)” (Eph. 6:12).

       We may think that our enemy is that which can be seen, which may include members of a different political party or people that are bent on creating havoc around the nation, but in reality, we cannot forget about the unseen “spiritual forces of wickedness” that lie at the root of all that is evil.

      Because of His great love for mankind, and His burden over their sin, God gave the nation of Israel a promise, that if they would humble themselves before Him, He would listen to their prayers. There are some definite applications today for those in America who are Christians, who are considered to be “God’s people” because of what Jesus did on the cross to reconcile us to God. In the Book of Chronicles, God spoke to the nation of Israel saying,

“If my people, who 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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14).

      Humility, prayer, seeking God, and turning from sin are the essential actions that we must do in order for God to hear and respond with healing. And God was directing His thoughts toward the nation of Israel which had descended into depravity.

      One of the telltale signs of “humility” is “repentance.” As you may recall from previous blogs, repentance means to change one’s mind, resulting in a change in both character and conduct. The call to “repent” was present during the ministry of John the Baptist, and was the cornerstone of Jesus’ ministry from the very beginning. Throughout His ministry, Jesus called for both national and personal repentance, that is, to recognize the nation’s descent into blatant and offensive injustice, immorality, idolatry, and indifference to God, and as a result, to change their mind, as well as their conduct. They needed to acknowledge certain things about their nation as we need to do here in America. I’m reminded of the words of Solomon who wrote,

 “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). Or, as another translation puts it, “By righteousness a nation is lifted up, but sin is a cause of shame for all the people” (Prov. 14:34).

      Like Israel in Jesus’ day, America needs to recognize how far we have drifted from our original intentions as a nation, and feel a sense of shame for allowing it to happen. Once recognized, we need to turn to the path of righteousness. Israel never admitted her guilt and chose to wallow in its shame, and in the end, on Palm Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time, He exclaimed,

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, you house is left to you desolate” (Mt. 23:37-38).

      The Temple in Jerusalem was abandoned by God and as Jesus predicted in His message on the Mount of Olives, the Romans came and destroyed the city and the temple a generation later, in AD 70, rendering obsolete the Old Covenant priesthood and the entire sacrificial system. Repentance was the key, and yet the people rejected both Jesus and His message.

      Were you aware that the earliest church activity was prayer? Thousands of people, all from completely different backgrounds came together with “one accord” for the purpose of prayer (Acts 1:14; 2:42-47). What happened? The Holy Spirit descended upon all those present, and the “church” was born. The timid disciples were filled with power and as a result, the world was never the same.

      Throughout history, God has chosen to move in people’s hearts and lives in response to both repentance and prayer. When backed into a cul-de-sac with no way of escape, our only recourse is to cry out to God in prayer, asking Him to change people’s hearts (including our own) and to work in and through circumstances to change the course of our nation. We can pray individually, as couples, in small and large groups, as churches, online, or through other means, but I believe that our only hope is for God to move, and He will do so in response to the prayers of “His people.” During these troubled times, we  must be devoted to prayer.

      You may be asking, “In addition to prayer, isn’t there more that I can do? I feel like I need to do something.” Yes, there is. Although there are dozens of things that we could be doing, I want to focus on just one in this blog, and that is to,

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted….” (Eph. 4:32). Using a little interpretive license, let me rephrase it his way, “Having a tender heart toward others, extend kindness to them” (Eph. 4:32).

      Of course, we need to ask God to give us that “tender heart,” as we cannot do it ourselves – It is a gift of God given to us for the asking. And then, let’s all be looking for ways to “be kind” to others. Yes, every time you see another person, let’s be thinking of ways to show kindness. It may be through just a simple word of gratitude or actually responding to a need. But we can help demonstrate righteousness by being kind to others.

      And so, what is our “thoughtful response?” We need to recognize that the ultimate source of wickedness comes not from the “seen” realm, but from the “unseen,” from “spiritual forces of wickedness in high places.” And then, we need to, as a nation and as individuals, seek God’s face in prayer and turn from our wicked ways, believing that God will respond with healing and grace. And then let us join with others around the nation in extending kindness toward others through our words and actions. We all have a role to play in our nation’s healing. Let’s not sit back and let others do what we need to be doing.

      May the Lord bless you and keep you in His care, and heal our nation. Blessings to all.