Readings for today: Psalms 49, 84, 85, 87
If you are like me, you long for the spiritual renewal of our country. The spiritual renewal of every single person in our country. You long for that spiritual renewal to spill beyond the borders into the nations around us. You long for the United States to live up to the calling to be a “city on a hill” and a “light to the world.” At the same time, if you are like me, while you celebrate the many ways we have succeeded in this venture over the centuries, you are also deeply aware of how far we have fallen short. You know the many ways we have failed throughout our history and you grieve over the challenges we are facing even now as a country. This is why I love these words from the Psalmist so much…
“I can’t wait to hear what he’ll say. God’s about to pronounce his people well, The holy people he loves so much, so they’ll never again live like fools. See how close his salvation is to those who fear him? Our country is home base for Glory! Love and Truth meet in the street, Right Living and Whole Living embrace and kiss! Truth sprouts green from the ground, Right Living pours down from the skies! Oh yes! God gives Goodness and Beauty; our land responds with Bounty and Blessing. Right Living strides out before him, and clears a path for his passage.” (Psalms 85:8-13 MSG)
You see, the nation of Israel faced some of the same challenges we face today. In fact, every nation throughout history has faced similar challenges. What begins with a glorious vision soon fades as the pressures of this world begin to force their way in on us. It doesn’t seem to matter whether one is talking about a Christian vision or not. Human society simply has this innate tendency to move from order to chaos. From unity to disunity. From passion to distraction. Israel started out so well under the leadership of David and Solomon though both had their issues but soon declined under a series of kings and rulers who sought their own well-being over that of the people and that of the Lord. However, all was not lost as revival did break out when certain kings returned to the Lord and sought Him with their whole hearts, minds, and strength. When that happened, the land was given rest from war. Blessings flowed. The people rejoiced. Righteousness and justice were restored. Love and truth reigned.
No matter how dark things get, friends, there is always hope. Jesus is the light of the world whom the darkness cannot overcome. If we seek His face and walk in His love and cling to His truth, we will find blessing and joy. If we fight for righteousness and advocate for justice and walk in His ways, we will find goodness and beauty. This is how God designed human life to respond and it is what we were truly made for so do not grow weary in your labor for the Lord! Know He fighting for you and with you to bring salvation to all who would call on His name and renewal to any nation that would humble itself before Him.
Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 3-5