If 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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

    As part of the celebration of our country's 250th birthday, May 17, 2026 has been proclaimed a national day of rededication to God. I was grateful to read online the following: "Rededicate 250 will be rooted in giving thanks for God's presence in our national life throughout 250 years of American history and asking for his guidance." On that day, there will be a gathering at the Mall in Washington D. C. for worship and prayer.

    Over the past several years, my heart has been broken for my country. The lines of division and acrimony have been so sharply drawn, they are almost visible. What will become of the United States? Jesus said in the gospel of Mark, "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." (3: 24-25) 

    My thoughts traveled to Nineveh, the wayward capital of Assyria, to which the prophet Jonah was sent by God to preach against it, because their wickedness had come up before the Lord. The man, Jonah, was very reluctant to do this in light of the barbarism his countrymen had endured at the hands of the Ninevites. Perhaps he felt God's merciful forgiveness should not have been extended to them.

    But God's ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than ours! (Isaiah 55:9)

    When Jonah finally made it to Nineveh, he rather half-heartedly went around saying, "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown." (Jonah 3:4) Though he wasn't the most dynamic evangelist, the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast and, at the king direction, all from the greatest to the least donned sackcloth to demonstrate repentance. Within the king's decree, he said, "Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." (Jonah 3:9)

    That is exactly what happened. When God saw they had humbled themselves and turned from their wicked ways, he did not bring on destruction after all.

    Each one of us must come to God in humility and repentance. Remember, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18) Please consider kneeling with others in rededication with a broken and contrite heart on May 17th. Only God can turn this thing around.