Today in America, many Christians are observing the National Day of Prayer. There is recognition in the minds of some that America is bordering on the judgment of God. The Philistines found themselves in possession of the ark of the God of Israel. They were evidently ravaged with "tumors and rats", but were not sure whether it was by the hand of God or by chance. The cows carrying the ark headed straight for the road to Beth Shemesh, lowing as they went and not turning aside to the right or left. The path the cattle took confirmed that the plagues were indeed from the hand of God.
At Beth Shemesh, curious onlookers took it upon themselves to look into the ark of God. The Lord struck 50,070 men and they died. God's holiness demands respect and He possesses the power to get our attention. The men of the city were left with this question, "Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?" They quickly asked their neighbors to take the ark off their hands. Readings in the Old Testament serve to caution us about flippancy where Almighty God is concerned. We hear people nonchalantly referring to God as "the man upstairs" and taking God's name in vain without a second thought. The understanding of God we are gaining by our dedicated reading of these scriptures is priceless! God is truly awesome and He has called us into a relationship with Him. What joy is this! Just as Samuel admonished Israel to return to the Lord with all their hearts and put away their foreign gods, prepare their hearts, and serve Him only--we, as God's people in America are being called to humble ourselves, to pray, to seek God's face, and turn from our wicked ways. God goes on to say in 2 Chronicles 7:14, that in return He will hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land!
Israel gathered in prayer, poured out the water instead of drinking it, and fasted, acknowledging their sins before the Lord. God confused Israel's enemy and the Philistines were driven back. Samuel set up a stone and called its name "Ebenezer", saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us". The hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel and the cities of Israel were restored. Samuel was a great leader and judged Israel all the days of his life. Samuel's dynamic leadership gives us a taste for the kingdom of God and whets our desire for the King of kings to take the reins of leadership in this world. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
In Psalm 55, David languishes because of the oppression of the wicked, because of trouble, because he is overwhelmed by horror. As followers of Christ, we are grieved at the path our beloved country is taking. (However, we, like the Philistines, are not sure whether we are suffering the ravages of storms, diseases, etc., because of chance or at God's hands.) We need sober, godly leaders to lead us to a path of righteousness as a nation, yet we helplessly watch as mature men and women "feed on foolishness" (Proverbs 15:14). Jesus reminds us in Luke 21:20-38, of a time of great distress in the land, a time when "Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled". He goes on to give a personal warning--something we can apply to ourselves! He warns us to "take heed to yourselves" that that Day not come upon us unexpectedly. He says it will come as a snare--a trap--"on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth"! I think that includes us! His next sentence gives us hope: "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man". (Verse 37 notes that during the day Jesus taught in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet--the mount of Olives. The mount from which Jesus would ascend into heaven following His death, resurrection, and the giving of the great commission. The mount that will cleave in two when His feet once again touches this earth (Zechariah 14:4.)
We don't know whether America will be pulled back from the precipice of moral decay and rejection of God as a nation--or whether our country will be changed forever and no longer be the land of freedom and religious liberty. There was a reason Jesus spent His nights on Mt. Olivet. Whatever happens in our lives, in this country, in the world, we must spend our "nights" with our affections set on things above (Colossians 3:2), looking forward to Christ's return and the culmination of God's plan for the world!
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