God commands His people to honor Him with obedience. We are to follow His commandments, act in faith, and submit to the Lord in all we do.
This is not specific to individuals, but pertains to nations as well. There are multiple instances within the bible where God warns of His wrath for certain corrupted nations and the leaders who do not repent.
In Jeremiah 18, God declares any nation doing evil will receive judgment:
7 If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8 and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. 9 And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10 and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.
JEREMIAH 18:7-10 ESV
No nation is outside the Lord’s reach. No country is beyond His grace or His wrath.
This has weighed heavily on my heart as we gathered this weekend in celebration of the United States. I am grateful to be in a nation with so many opportunities and freedoms, but I am saddened at the direction such opportunities and freedoms have taken us as a church and a country.
This nation slaughters innocent lives, promotes sexual perversion, and encourages idolatry. Many a church sits by, lukewarm in their efforts to evangelize, satisfied with their own salvation and little desire for others to be saved. Other churches, losing their love for God, submit only to self — promoting the worthiness of man rather than Christ.
These may seem like harsh convictions.
They are.
In 1 Kings 2:3, a dying David fiercely encouraged Solomon to abide God’s laws. David knew a leader has great influence over his people, and in order for Solomon and the land to prosper, it required a walk in obedience.
If you are thinking, I am not the leader. I did not even vote for our current leader. This is beyond me. There is hope yet.
As believers, we eternally have hope in Jesus. Praise! What comfort this joy brings. Jesus has the power to make all things new, and through surrender our nation can return to God’s grace.
As the church, we have a vital role to play. By following God’s laws consistently, we are setting ourselves apart from flesh and this world. We have a unique, opportunity to be a lasting example of Christ’s love.
We may use our own power of influence for His glory in such ways:
- Serve – acts of humility and selflessness have impact
- Profess – speak boldly of God’s truth
- Repent – true repentance signifies dependence on Christ and separation from pride
- Shed – remove from your life those activities that dishonor or distract from obedience
- Grow – stay in the word consistently
- Evangelize – share the love of Jesus with the lost
- Encourage – support other believers in their walk with the Lord
- Pray – lift up requests, grievances and intercessory needs to the Almighty (read my separate prayer post for the nation here)
This may sound like a lot, but you are a member of the body for a purpose. Rest in Jesus, gather strength from the Lord, and encourage one another in fellowship. You’ve got this, and God has you.
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Isaiah 6:8
Send me.
Here I Am, Lord 