Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defense is of God which saveth the upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous and God is angry with the wicked every day. Psalm 7:10-11
It has been hard to sleep, tossing and turning with a feeling of desperate need to pray unceasingly for this our nation. Wondering if there is something more I can do. Much like Daniel as he prayed, waiting for an answer; hoping for a sign from God. Is that a lack of faith when we feel so urged to cry out to God with our desperate cries or could it be He has called us for just that–to pray. Only God can heal this land.
Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. Isaiah 43:10-12
Yes, only God can turn the tide of this great nation and only God can transform my heart. Still He will not unless I (we) are willing to turn from our idolatrous worship of self or prosperity to seek the only treasure that matters which is God Himself. God is a God of great and mighty love, mercy, and grace; but, He also is a righteous, Holy God who hates sin. His wrath against sin can be seen very clearly as the stripes ripped at the flesh of His Only Son, as He bore our sin upon that cross. When I read the Old Testament, what amazes me is God’s patience as He deals with a rebellious people. Yet, after pleading with them; still, He would enact His judgment upon His people when they continued to run after idols. After all that God had shown of His might, after Josiah’s revival and after the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar took captive the nation of Israel for their persistent rebellion against God; He still pleaded with a remnant.