Never in my lifetime has the United States of America been in the midst of such turmoil, unrest, uncertainty, and pain as is the case now. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul explained that “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain” (Romans 8:22, KJV). What the Apostle Paul wrote of the creation is most certainly true of the United States today.
America needs pain relief. America needs healing.
Ask any American and you will likely get a litany of opinions and policy prescriptions on how we can fix America’s ills. Polling shows that Americans are deeply divided on not only the policy prescriptions, but also the problems themselves — and certainly the priorities we assign the problems.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t some issues which are (or should be) fairly clear. For example, how can any sincere, thoughtful, and devoted follower of Christ not be for racial equality and civil rights for all Americans?
Nevertheless, when one looks “under the hood” of our nation’s problems or starts to advance a perspective, a story, or a proposed solution… things get very challenging very quickly.
Today, there is more expression than reflection and more finger pointing than thoughtful listening. There is more reaction than action and more emotion than thought.
Not only is it all but impossible to find common ground in American public opinion, it is also difficult for individuals to themselves get their mental arms around all that is vexing our society. It’s increasingly harder to even keep up with the dizzying array of crises and controversies.
Making matters worse, thanks to social media, Americans are pressured to say the proper words and take the appropriate stands — all at the precisely correct time and with the highest levels of sensitivity and awareness to those watching and listening.
“Silence is violence,” we are told. But so is saying the wrong thing. Or listening to those deemed the wrong voices. In this day and age, you can be scrutinized and condemned for clicking “like” on the “wrong” social media articles or videos. (Exhibit A: Pastor Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands in Alabama).
One wonders how it is even possible for a democratic republic to foster the kinds of conversations that might lead to sensible policy solutions in such a climate.
Answer: It’s not.
Worse, it’s not possible for civil authorities to solve most of the problems plaguing the United States of America today.
I love the United States of America, and I believe everyone should be an informed citizen and a diligent voter. But I also recognize that neither our hope as individuals nor as Americans can rest in politicians or in government. I am reminded of what the psalmist said thousands of years ago:
No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
Psalm 33:16-22
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for safety;
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You.
And as I preached on Sunday, May 31 at Olney Baptist Church, if we as Christians living in the United States want healing on our land, we must look to what God told King Solomon after the latter dedicated the Temple to the Lord.
Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 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.”
II Chronicles 7:12-14
Now, as I made clear in my May 31 message, I do not believe the United States of America is a divinely appointed theocracy as was the case with ancient Israel. And therefore, I’m aware that the promise by God in II Chronicles 7 to Solomon was in the context of His special relationship with His covenant people.
Nevertheless, I believe the principle of God looking to His people to do their part in whatever land or context from which they pray is relevant today. If God’s people in the United States want God to heal and bless America, then Christians in the United States must look in the mirror. We must humble ourselves and pray, and seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways.
There are many problems in America today. And our nation desperately needs healing. But the healing America needs must ultimately come from the Great Physician. And if that is what we want (and we should), then that work must begin with us.
May God bless and heal America, and may I do my part to make that happen.
