A Plea to an Ailing Nation

“Even now—this is the Lord’s declaration—turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster.” (Joel 2:12-13)

These words were given to the prophet Joel to speak to the people of the nation of Israel, but I open today’s blog post with this passage for an important reason: it readily applies to all nations, everywhere, who have compromised the Word of God and embraced their selfish desires. The Lord’s wrath is just, but He is not quick to anger. Yet His limits should not be tested.

America is in a seemingly constant state of unrest. Protests, riots, hateful rhetoric all around—none of it is good. Solutions seem temporary at best. Violent upheaval appears to be on the brink of many minds. But although everyone is angry, there is one central truth behind it all: man has embraced his sin, his desire to be God, over all reason, logic, and faith in the Lord.

For years, folks from all over the nation (and the world) have believed in only that which they can perceive and touch. The roots of materialism, atheism, and evolution which were planted in our youths have sprouted into full-grown trees. They believe in no hope but that which they can enact through fear, violence, and social change. They don’t know God or His Word.

And who enables them? A hierarchy of false believers, pseudoscientists, politicians, and businessman. Even a genuine man of the Lord cannot escape his share of the blame in this deceit. Why? Because he (or she) has told our youths that it is okay to indulge in that which pleases you regardless of what that thing is. Their picturesque construction of a meek and gentle Lord who only wants you to be happy has dissuaded people across the country from the Truth.

It is a lie of the devil. God loves you, yes. He died for you so that you might love and seek Him and be with Him in heaven. But He hates your sin. He cannot stand it and will not tolerate it. Sin separates us from the Lord and those who are not born again will not be with Him in their eternal rest.

But our God is great. He knows our lives are measured in fractions from dust to dust. He has given each of us the time we need to come to Him. His coming is quick (whether you believe or don’t, the Lord’s return is always one day sooner than the last) and the masses, in their sickness, need to be healed and return to Him.

“The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

We are in a sorry state of affairs. We need to return to the foundation of Truth and Love, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, while we are still able. The Lord’s coming will be like a thief in the night and none of us knows the day or the hour. Repent (turn from your wickedness) and believe on Him and you shall be saved.

It will be a struggle. We aren’t perfect. But isn’t it worth embracing the love of God to avoid His righteous wrath? It’s a simple decision.

It’s also the most important one that a person can make. Choose wisely and do not fall under the spell of unbelief and the lies of your false father, the devil.

“For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:17-19)

Thanks for reading. God bless you and may all of us heed His warning and step into the warmth of our Lord. Amen.