In the aftermath of 911 there was a uniting of minds and a common opinion that what happened to this country was horrific and we needed to do whatever it took to make sure it never happened again. Along with this unified commitment came all kinds of inconveniences. Long waits at airports, identity verification requirements, purse size limitations and bag checks with pocket emptying at ball games and large events. Even body scans were commonplace. All of these restrictions hamstrung our nation but we were in agreement that these things were necessary in order to prevent another debilitating attack. Fast forward 23 years and this same country is as divided as I have seen it in my lifetime. There is strife, frustration and angst in all circles. We have an election fast approaching with each side of the political spectrum pointing at the opposition as the cause for all the turmoil. So, what is the answer? In the sweltering summer of 1787, the Constitutional Convention was attempting to craft a document that would be the benchmark for the New Republic. Deliberations became so heated and the air surrounding the assembly seemed so bleak that if the Convention would adjourn the dissolution of the union of states appeared to be inevitable. At this point when tempers were flaring, Benjamin Franklin addressed his fellow Statesmen asking for prayer, exhorting the men to seek divine intervention and unity. These were his words, “ The longer I live, the more convincing the proofs I see that God governs in the affairs of men. Without His continuing aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel. Have we now forgotten this powerful friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?” With each session beginning in prayer, unity and cooperation became the theme and the delegates came to the “Great Compromise” which brought about two distinct houses. The House of Representatives, based on population and the Senate which would have two people from each state. It seems abundantly clear to me that our country needs to turn its allegiance back to God and pray that He would bring about harmony and restoration to our fractured system. Regardless of our political bent, as believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must turn to His Word for guidance and direction. Romans Chapter 1 beginning with verse 18 tells how corporately, as a country, we have turned from the statutes of God to worldly ideas. It says, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” It goes on in verse 28 to say, “ Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” The name calling, the lies, the greed and slandering from both parties has left so many with a sour taste in their mouths. We must all humble ourselves and repent and pray that God would have mercy on us as a nation and restore us to the great country we once were. We must refrain from looking at the character qualities that we dislike in the individuals that are seeking office and focus on the issues and how they align with God’s principles and how they ultimately affect our community, our state, and our nation. The thought of God pouring out His wrath on the godlessness that He sees should be terrifying to all of us. We must take a stand for righteous living and oppose those that approve of all who practice immoral behavior from both sides of the aisle. Hebrews 10:36-39 is an encouragement to all believers to stand firm. It says, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” We must pray for our country and endeavor to be informed about issues that are being addressed and also those issues that need addressing and have been avoided. Pray for and encourage our leaders to seek divine intervention, just as our Constitutional framers did, so that harmony and restoration could come to our great nation and God’s favor could be poured out on us as He has done so generously over centuries. God bless you as you exercise your right to vote for whoever you feel would best carry out this task. May we once again be the ‘United’ States of America.
