Good morning, My Friends. What a beautiful Easter season we had. We were blessed with beautiful weather, except for a bit of rain yesterday; the flowers were blooming; the trees are budding; it felt like the beginning of Spring; we had a great Good Friday and Easter service at Grace Church St. Louis; and, for the most part, we turned off the news – although we did hear Jim Carafano and Jim Talent talk last Thursday evening about the threat of ISIS. But all in all, it was very rejuvenating to tune out the world and focus on what an awesome God we serve and the true meaning of Easter.
Truth be told, the thing I missed the least during the last few days was politics and debates, if you can call what we’re seeing “debates”? I don’t know about you, but the more I hear from our Presidential candidates, the more I am convinced our “best and brightest” are staying clear of that cesspool. And can you blame them? Who in their right mind would want to put their self, their family, and everything they hold dear up to such despicable scrutiny and slander? But the sad truth is, that is what our fallen culture has produced; an attitude of “go for what you want, and do what you have to do to get it”, even if it mean shedding all decency and resorting to lying, cheating, slandering, name-calling. Geeessshh!!
I can’t help but look at today’s political spectacle and compare it to the Biblical simplicity of selecting leaders. In the book of Exodus, 18:21, we are told about Jethro’s advice to Moses for selecting leaders. He said, “find some wise men who are honest (who stand on the truth), who fear (revere; know) God, and who hate bribes (men of integrity).” Wow! That was it. So why does it have to be more complicated than that today?
This may seem like a rabbit trail, but I think it speaks to the last question. I was traveling between Kansas City and St. Louis and was in an area where radio reception was spotty. I finally landed on a talk show where the subject was, “Does God still perform miracles today?” The first person to speak was Dr. XYZ, who’s lengthy list of credentials included writing a book on this subject. His basic premise was, “God doesn’t need to do that today because our culture has evolved to the point of being self-sufficient”. Whhaaaattt??
Unfortunately, that outlandish response is not atypical in our culture today, which exalts human wisdom over Godly wisdom. I have previously written about this “Liberal Progressive Agenda” (LPA) that has at is very core the attempt to create grey areas around truths and Godly traditions so as to allow “wiggle-room” to question their sanctity. The more the pillars of our society are challenged and disparaged – such as the traditional family unit or Christian values – the more the LPA can promote its perspective. So when it comes to the debates, the more the LPA and the media can keep the viewers distracted by this “political circus”, the more the focus stays on the personalities rather than on the issues plaguing our country. And many issues facing our country today are a result of failed LPA efforts.
It’s interesting to examine how values have changed in the last 25 years. What used to be honored, revered, and worshiped is now mocked, ridiculed and vilified, and what used to be shameful, disgusting and thought of as sinful is now basking in the spotlight. In fact, they’re the subject of the latest movies and TV shows. Isaiah addresses this issue in 5:20,21,24; “Destruction is certain for those who say evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; the bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. Destruction is certain for those who think they are wise and consider themselves to be so clever. Therefore, they will all disappear like burning straw. Their roots will rot and their flowers will wither, for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty.”
Jonathan Cahn, author of “The Harbinger” offers these perspectives on the founding and the decline of our great country. “Other than ancient Israel, no other nation has received God’s blessings more than America. And why was that? Because our country was founded on prayer and built on Judeo-Christian principles. Therefore America would rise to heights no other nation had ever known. Not that it was ever without fault or sin, mind you, but America did aspire to fulfill its calling to be a vessel of redemption, and instrument of God’s purpose, and a “light” to the world. It would give refuge to the world’s poor and needy and hope to its oppressed. It would stand against tyranny. It would fight, more than once, against the dark movements of the modern world that threatened to engulf the earth. No other nation in the modern world has been blessed like America has been blessed. But to whom much is given, much is required.”
But is America turning away from God? Well, the effects of the LPA on our culture certainly have us moving in that direction. In fact, it is very much the same way ancient Israel turned away from God. “America began ruling God out of its life, turning step by step against His ways, at first subtly and then more and more brazenly. It started with a spiritual complacency, then spiritual confusion. As God was expunged from American life, idols came in to fill the void; idols of sensuality, idols of greed, of money, of success, comfort, materialism, pleasure, sexual immorality, self-worship, and self-obsession. The sacred increasingly disappeared and the profane took its place.”
As God’s chosen nation, he put a hedge of protection around us and was with us in times of conflict. (just like he was with ancient Israel) But what if a nation so blessed turns away from God? Jeremiah 18:9-10 is quite clear on this matter: “But if I announce that I will build up and plant a certain nation or kingdom, making it strong and great, but then the nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless that nation as I had said I would.”
Has our country turned away from God? I don’t think anyone reading this would doubt that truth. Therefore, no political candidate with a R, D, or I behind his or her name is the answer to our country’s problem. Why? Because the crux of our country’s problem is a spiritual problem first, and a political problem somewhere down the line.
So what does that mean to us? As followers of Jesus Christ we are the mighty force of prayer. We can pray in His name for revelation in the hearts and minds of our culture and for enlightenment for the political candidates. James 5:16 tells us, “the prayers of a righteous man avails much.” I believe we can collectively pray “earnestly and unceasingly” for the restoration of our country, and expect amazing results. In fact, it is even promised to us in 2 Chronicles, 7:14: “… if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.”
Our country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles; our Constitution was undoubtedly inspired, and our forefathers turned to God for wisdom and direction. Let’s do what we can do as prayer-warriors and stand against the LPA, and pray for the anointing of a Presidential candidate who will turn to God for wisdom and guidance, and who will return us to the principles that made this country great. I believe this would be fulfilling our great commission right now.
Feel free to respond to this message, and please “like” it and share it with other social media friends.
Best wishes to ya…
Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
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