What's Wrong?

As it is written in the law of Moses,
all this calamity has come on us; yet we
have not sought the favor of the Lord our God
by turning from our iniquity and giving attention
to Your truth.
Daniel 9:13

Who would ever have thought we would live in a day when terrorists would walk into a establishment in our own country and begin shooting at innocent people. Some have taken their wrath into school rooms, some into places of entertainment and forbid the thought, even into churches. There is a plot afoot to terrorize Americans on our own turf much in the cause of a false religion. The big majority of fault lies at the feet of the terrorists and their agenda, but we too must take some responsibility as citizens. Through recent years we have become cocky, filled with a false security that says that nothing bad can affect we Americans as has happened in other countries. In our moral laxity, we have also elected people into office who have no business even being put in charge of a dog kennel. More than anything, we have moved away from God and His principles.

Our country was attacked by a foreign country at Pearl Harbor in 1941.. I was barely old enough to remember bits and pieces of it. Almost immediately, men and boys flocked to recruitment centers to sign up for enlistment in any one of our military services. Many who weren't accepted for any number of reasons, (usually physical,) openly wept upon not being accepted (my dad being one of those). Almost immediately large posters were taped in store windows or on sides of buildings. Many were pictures of Uncle Sam pointing his finger while saying, “Uncle Sam wants you.” Some posters showed a military ship of ours slowly sinking into ocean waters. That poster had the words, “Loose lips sink ships.” Any spoken word by anyone against our country in those days would have been in fear of personal harm or worse.

In those days there was a fierce loyalty by citizens toward our country. Everyone felt it their job to be supportive against a feared enemy. Our family, like most, saved old newspapers, metal cans that had contained food products and some folks even grew what came to be known as “Victory Gardens” in their back yards to help with food production for their families. Every member of a family knew the importance of doing their part in contributing to the safety of our people as well as a victorious outcome of the war.

One day, my mother and I were on a bus going to a nearby town to visit some relatives. A neighbor of ours thought it would be fun to teach me how to speak “pig Latin.” I wasn't very good at it as I was so young, but there on the bus, I made a comment to my mother in that interesting language. It came out, making no sense even to someone who knew how to speak that interesting verbiage. I will never forget how my mother reached over and lightly slapped me on the back of my head. She whispered to me to never again talk like that as our family could be accused of being traitors to our country. Something so innocent became a very big thing that this then little girl will never forget. Today, anyone can speak threats in a different language against our country and it's people with no consequences..

Today, we rarely hear of treason in our country and yet we are surrounded by it. Years ago, treason proven was met with execution of the culprit. Today, we hear it from the highest of government officials down to average citizens. Much comes from people new to our country, some who have come illegally to our shores. Patriotism sits on a shelf covered in the dust of years and needs to be taken down, cleaned off and practiced as in former days.

So what has happened to us? The list would be extensive, but in our day, our political correctness, to a great extent, is spelling our doom. I see nothing in the Word of God that even hints at political correctness. Search the Scriptures and one will find up front, frank and to the point honest approaches on any subject. I have been hearing a lot about the prayer of Daniel in Daniel 9. If you want a good picture of where we are right now as a country and all that has caused our problems, delve into that chapter. As you read it, as have I, you will get a very good picture of our country, what happened and what needs to happen for us to get back to what God expects of us. Believe me, as one reads this chapter, there is nothing politically correct about Daniel as he speaks/prays truth. Not only does he read his people their spiritual pedigree, but he also speaks to us as well in our day.

We want things to change, but we are looking for something great and dynamic to happen that will change things. God has always worked one person at a time. I agree that if there were changes in some of our leaders, it would help with the revival we so desperately need. Revival, however, must begin in the lives of stagnant Christians who have lost all zest for the things of God. Revival may cause some unsaved to come to Jesus, but revivals are us Christians, who have chosen a mediocre spiritual walk.

Whatever changes come in our beloved country must begin in us. We must get back to being people of the Bible and people of prayer as well. Change will be costly maybe even to the point of choosing between life and death. There is an element in our country now who hates Christians with a passion. We must be strong of spirit and in staying close to the Lord in whom we find our strength.

So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary. Daniel 9:17 Amen and Amen!