When I think about the state of our country, I’m reminded of Nehemiah and the wall of Jerusalem. I can visualize a wall around America that has breeches in it. Those breeches are the subtle things that have been happening in our country like the redefinition of marriage, the human rights movement, abortion, divorce, homosexuality…
I believe that if we do not come together and fortify the wall, it will be in ruins. Romans 1, says they worshiped created things and not the Creator. (25) They lusted in their hearts. (24) They exchanged the truth of God for the lie. (25) Women and men practiced homosexuality. (26,27) They did not like to retain God in their knowledge. (28) They were filled with unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, and unmerciful. (29-31)
And God gave them over. (24, 26, 28)
How did we get in such a mess – breeches popping up all over our wall. Where were Christians? I was reminded of the movement in our religious culture, effecting the last generation, at least. A movement to accept everyone, just as they are. A modernization of our worship style to almost mimic the world’s taste in music and atmosphere, emotionally driven. A push to be loving and tolerant; not to turn anyone off from religion. We became weak; afraid to speak up or take any action, lest we offend. But, “a church that loses its distinctiveness is a church that has nothing distinctive with which to engage the culture. A worldly church is no good to the world.”[1]
This smells like a scheme to me. The enemies. And wasn’t it well played? Well, it’s time to wake up, stand up, and put your armor on. It’s time to fortify our wall!
When Nehemiah first heard about what had happened to Jerusalem, he prayed. God’s favor was on him as he returned to set to work, rebuilding the wall. The people there each fortified the wall where they were.
When the wall was completed, they came together and stood as Nehemiah opened the Word. When they realized their wrong doing, they wept bitterly. And then they made a covenant with God, which they signed and sealed.
Let us rise up and build. Let’s humble ourselves and pray. (2 Chronicles 7:14) Let’s confess the sins of our country, ourselves, and our fathers and ask God for His mercy. He delights to show it to us. (Micah 7:18)
Romans 5:5, says, “Now hope does not disappoint…” Our hope is in God. This is not too hard for the Creator of the Universe. It is not too late to cry out to Him and see His favor and a miraculous work. But, now is the time!
Nehemiah 9:17, says, “But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them.”
Our church is holding a Night of Prayer on October 30, from 6:30-8:00. Would you and your church pray at that time too? Let’s do what Nehemiah did when he heard about the shape of Jerusalem. Let’s pray for God’s favor and put our hope in Him. Please pass this event along to everyone you know. I will have a prayer strategy sheet, based on Nehemiah, to share with you soon.
[1] Twitter post. October 8, 2016 (3:58PM). https://twitter.com/tgc/statuses/784890836391780352
