Posted by
Jerry Brandt on Friday, December 05, 2008 6:35:56 AM
Repentance seems to be a nasy word these days. You hardly ever hear of it in government, churches and personal lives. We think it has some kind of negative emotional consequence. The truth is, it is the only pathway to freedom. Basic to the teaching of Jesus Christ and His kingdom, repentance is the only pathway to freedom. The reason it works is because it goes to the root of the problem and removes it through confession and taking personal responsibility. Jesus even went so far as to say, "unless we repent we shall likewise perish". Our nation is at a crossroads! This is the first major crisis I remember in a long time where not one high-level government official has called for a national day of prayer or spiritual reflection over our economic condition and the future plight of America. My prediction is... unless we repent we shall likewide perish. Of what do we need to repent? Greed is a good start. Wanting more and more for ourselves at the sacrifice of our poor and struggling neighbors. Yes, America has been generous in many ways, but most all of us have leveraged our credit cards to the max and borrowed to the hilt. What about some of the top bank executives who have coldheartedly spent money needlessly on their own greedy life-styles. Our grab all you can get mentality has brought us to this point. But do you hear the words "I repent?" Hardly. It's mostly a blame game. All of us that have played the "greed" card need to repent! We need to repent for leaving God out of our lives. Somewhere in our creed is "One nation under God". But who is asking His advice and wisdom in this crisis? Maybe we are afraid we won't hear His voice. Have we been to busy listening to our own? A lot of noise on the news media, newspapers, internet. But where is God in this picuture. God's hand of protection, provision and presence has built this nation. But when God lifts His hand off our country it will only be a matter of time until we self destruct.
God will have the last word. He is not getting even. He is even graciously waiting to see if we call on Him. He doesn't need to judge us. Our sins will do that... they seem to take care of themselves without His intervention. But He does tell us in His word that, "if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men liberally and upradeth not". When no one seems to have concrete answers, God does. He says, "for we have a kingdom which cannot be shaken". The only thing on earth that will never be shaken is His kingdom (His ruler ship over us).