Could it be that God is judging us? Consider all the calamities in recent years…

Unprecedented number and scale of natural disasters.
Droughts and floods.
Economic downturn.
Outbreak of diseases.
Moral corruption.
Broken homes.
Immorality in the churches…

Reading the Old Testament, I see a similar pattern happening to Israel. God said in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, “13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 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, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

But the chances are you have already dismissed this devotional as another doomsday lament – another preacher talk. And we are led to believe the problem with our nation is anything but forgetting God. What would an average American say the problem is with America right now?

Economy.
Health care.
Job market.
Ineffective politicians.
Gap between the rich and the poor.
Education…

But did you read what 2 Chr. 7:14 is the problem? None of the above. The problem is with us – specifically the Christians! “If MY people who are called by MY name!” The people who supposedly belong to God – if we have not forgotten God!

– We, the Christians, are busy consuming programs at churches. (#1 question for a young couple looking for a new church? Does it have a great Children’s Program? Ever thought of joining one that doesn’t and helping making it so?)
– We only gather with those who are just like us. (A social club rather than a lifesaving station)
– We are so quick to move to churches that will suit us better.
– We resent and blame God for not blessing us even though we are the most blessed of all peoples on earth
– We leave our spouses because of some personality differences (What if Christ left us for that reason?)
– We want world’s approval more than God’s approval.

What do we do? How do we turn this nation around so that our children will not suffer the consequences of our doing? Humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways…

I believe it is time for us, Christians, to pray. We are slowly being boiled alive…

PH