Israel was a nation with unimaginable promise, unlimited potential, and the ultimate blessings of God. God had actually bound Himself with a covenant to care for them, provided they held up their end of the covenant. It was a straight forward agreement that made God your friend. But the blessing became a curse. If the conditions are not upheld, God actually becomes your enemy. Freedom has the effect of a double edged sword. Does that remind you of the United States?
The majority of people throughout history have lived under some type of tyranny. Our own country began under tyranny, but with the help of God we were able to gain freedom. Most nations could not even entertain thoughts of living in freedom because of historical circumstances. Few peoples have ever aspired to establish a free country; fewer still have ever achieved it. Judges 2:10 gives a condemning review of one generation in Israel. After Joshua, a generation arose that did not know God. It didn’t take long for them to forget God and then began the inevitable descent into slavery.
The Bible says, "where the Spirit of The Lord is, there is freedom". (2 Cor.3:17)
The United States was founded on principles derived from Scripture. It seems to be a Scriptural principle that freedom is linked to a nation's love for God. As long as we honor God, I believe that we have the promise of freedom. Conversely, to the extent that we reject God, we will experience more tyranny either from outside threats or from our own government.
Based on our willingness to obey God rather than man, we will either continue to experience freedom or descend into the atrocities of tyranny. The latter option was the path chosen by Israel. After the strong leadership of Joshua, the Israelites became enamored with the false religions of Canaan and abandoned worship of the one true God. They declined so much that God accused them of being worse than the pagan nations. What a sad epitaph over a once great nation.
We find ourselves at a similar crossroad. Will we trust in God or continue to pursue the idolatry that so easily entices us? A correlating question is, will we continue to be free or become enslaved as a result of idolatry?
What is the answer to this dilemma? Humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and seek His Face, throwing ourselves upon His mercy and grace. Those who know God are the only ones who have access to the throne of God therefore it is our responsibility to make sure this country remains free by calling on Him. He may yet extend His mercy to us. It is incumbent on the church to take the lead in this repentance, because the world has little understanding of the concept of true prayer. Are we willing to use it to seek His Face?
- Dr. Darryl -
The majority of people throughout history have lived under some type of tyranny. Our own country began under tyranny, but with the help of God we were able to gain freedom. Most nations could not even entertain thoughts of living in freedom because of historical circumstances. Few peoples have ever aspired to establish a free country; fewer still have ever achieved it. Judges 2:10 gives a condemning review of one generation in Israel. After Joshua, a generation arose that did not know God. It didn’t take long for them to forget God and then began the inevitable descent into slavery.
The Bible says, "where the Spirit of The Lord is, there is freedom". (2 Cor.3:17)
The United States was founded on principles derived from Scripture. It seems to be a Scriptural principle that freedom is linked to a nation's love for God. As long as we honor God, I believe that we have the promise of freedom. Conversely, to the extent that we reject God, we will experience more tyranny either from outside threats or from our own government.
Based on our willingness to obey God rather than man, we will either continue to experience freedom or descend into the atrocities of tyranny. The latter option was the path chosen by Israel. After the strong leadership of Joshua, the Israelites became enamored with the false religions of Canaan and abandoned worship of the one true God. They declined so much that God accused them of being worse than the pagan nations. What a sad epitaph over a once great nation.
We find ourselves at a similar crossroad. Will we trust in God or continue to pursue the idolatry that so easily entices us? A correlating question is, will we continue to be free or become enslaved as a result of idolatry?
What is the answer to this dilemma? Humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and seek His Face, throwing ourselves upon His mercy and grace. Those who know God are the only ones who have access to the throne of God therefore it is our responsibility to make sure this country remains free by calling on Him. He may yet extend His mercy to us. It is incumbent on the church to take the lead in this repentance, because the world has little understanding of the concept of true prayer. Are we willing to use it to seek His Face?
- Dr. Darryl -
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