Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Hebrews 12:12-15
This has been a tragic 4th of July week. Our country, my country and yours appears to be in broken turmoil. Split into divides and sanctions with bitterness and hate rising. The hatred, bitterness and divide have been rising over the last 8 to 10 years culminating in all the tragedies of this week. We saw a taste of our officers at their worst. A result of fear for their own life or rage? I haven’t seen all the pieces or facts, so I certainly do not know. Can we judge their heart, their motive from a video? Then we see the police at their finest as we watch them be slaughtered. I watched as the police were placing themselves in harm’s way to protect the protestors in Dallas. Those who were calling them names were ushered to safety by the very officers who walked into the line of the bullets. Other officers again placing themselves directly in the line of fire to rescue one of their own and then to apprehend the suspects.
We watch snippets from videos and believe that we know the story when all too often we only know what the sensationalists want us to know. I cannot pretend to say I know for certain the right or the wrong of each incident; yet, I am certain I cannot judge the heart of someone else. I can start by examining my own heart. Last night, I could not sleep. I was watching the calm protests and saw the unfolding of the Dallas tragedies when they first occurred. Flipping between channels as I had been doing for the previous hour; trying to reconcile the differences in the “truth” presented, I could not help but notice that some lagged way behind in presenting the news about Dallas while continuing a rant against “all police.” Did their rhetoric escalade and open the door for such a planned attack? Probably not in one day; but, does our need for 24-hour a day sensationalism add to the divide already present within our hearts?
For me, I was blessed with a father and mother who taught me to see all people for their heart and not by the color of their skin. My father and mother set an example, so perhaps it is hard for me to understand either side of a divided nation. God’s love and grace is for all. As His ambassador I stand with open heart to all who would desire to come to Him, from every race and nation. Yet, I also stand as witness that I must respect the officers on duty and all those who are placed in authority over me. I may disagree with the outcome of an investigation. I may hate the lying of the politicians and the gross misinterpretations of the media; but, I still pledge my allegiance to the President, the Governors, the police officers and those placed in authority over me. I pledge my allegiance to my country. As a follower of Christ, I stand first as God’s Child. If our laws change and deny me the right to pray, then I will quietly and peacefully go to prison for my right to pray. But I will not let the root of bitterness begin to grow in my own heart.
We must all take this moment and time to pray. It is our only hope as a nation. We must each examine our own heart and burn up that root of bitterness before it can grow.
The children of Israel had turned their backs on God. They had begun to worship other Gods. So God allowed them to be taken captive. He allowed it so as to awaken their hearts to seek Him. After so much grace, they continually defiled His name. The prophet Jeremiah then wrote these words,
For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. Jeremiah 29;10-14
Daniel prayed fervently for His nation. The prayers of one man totally seeking God with all His heart. Because of His prayers the Nation was released from captivity and the King of Babylon turned to worship God. You can be a Daniel for our country. I can be a Daniel for our country.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
[tweetthis]Please join with me today in a day of fasting and prayer for our nation.[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”We must each examine our own hearts before we destroy ourselves & our nation” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”We must each bow our heads with humble, contrite hearts and pray that God might heal our nation.” username=”effiedarlene”]
The song I chose for you today is “My Country Tis of Thee” Please listen to the final verse and let that be a part of your prayer.
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Our fathers’ God to Thee,
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Author of liberty,
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To Thee we sing.
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Long may our land be bright,
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With freedom’s holy light,
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Protect us by Thy might,
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Great God our King.
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Picture used by Permission of Ronald Barba, who is the artist and holds the copyright.
- ©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.