Heal Our Land
It was January 6, 2021. I turned on the television and saw people scaling the walls of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. I was heartbroken this was happening in America. In disbelief, I changed channels, only to see more terrible violence and outrage. My sorrow deepened.
The worst sorrow I have ever experienced in my life, besides losing a loved one, has been the bitter betrayal of a person I trusted deeply. This person committed an act of true injustice against my family. Anger and unforgiveness resided deep in my heart. The pain of it lingered for years, healed only through counseling and daily surrender to God.
Injustice fuels anger, blame, and resentment. It’s easy for us to blame the media, the government, the protestors, the police, people that are different than us, and the list goes on. Playing the blame game helps us to justify our opinions and positions, but most of all, our arguments. More importantly, playing the blame game also keeps the attention off of us.
As followers of Christ, we are called at this hour in American history to examine our own hearts. In the midst of a pandemic, political upheaval, and all the trials of the past year, God has clear direction for us in His Word.
In 1 Chronicles 7:14, God tells Solomon, “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
It wasn’t until about ten years ago that I realized that God was calling believers to repent of our wicked ways. When I heard “wicked” I initially thought of others, not myself. I even said, “Yes, if only America would turn to God and repent of sin, He will heal our land.” No, God instructs us, His people called by His name, to seek Him and turn from our wicked ways! But what does God consider wicked? Should I share some of my own? Pride, selfishness, rebellion, ingratitude, unforgiveness, corrupt speech, greed, unbelief…the list goes on. God says when our hearts make a u-turn from sin and seek Him with pure hearts, He will heal our land. Are we searching our hearts, repenting, and seeking Him?
Jesus instructed His followers, not the Pharisees or unbelievers, at the Sermon on the Mount. He said, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” Are we, His disciples, asking God to help us to do this? Are we blaming people or praying for them?
I find being a follower of Christ quite challenging. Without His grace, it is impossible. I often have strong emotions, and I find if I don’t pause to pray, I can be led by my emotions and not the will of God. God does not condemn us for the anger we feel when we see injustice in our land. Our emotions are a gift from Him to motivate us to do His will. Righteous anger should first bring us to our knees, where we can receive clear direction on how to act. Whatever He calls us to do, should be done in love to glorify Him.
As people of God, we stand at a historical crossroad. The apostle James instructs us to be doers, not merely hearers. In fact, he says if we are only listening and not doing, then we are deceived. Will we choose to seek God and turn from our sin? Will we choose to love our enemies, bless and do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who mistreat us? The future of America is in God’s hands, but He is waiting for our hearts to make a u-turn to Him. Do you want to see our land healed?
