40 Years in the Wilderness

 

“And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.” Deuteronomy 8:2

The Israelites were led to wander in the wilderness for forty years because God decided that the generation that was unbelieving should die off, rather than be able to take possession of the promised land. The fate of those unfaithful Israelites should ring especially relevant to what is occurring in our society today. Today’s church fails to recognize the war waged against God and His church, and in particular Christianity, by the left and their accomplices. And far too many churches respond by watering down their faith so as not to offend anyone. When charged with being closed minded and exclusive, too many churches respond by saying that there are many ways to salvation and that many religions actually worship the same God. “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 

Most Christians understand that abortion is the legalized murder of the most vulnerable of us all, unborn children. Most Christians understand the wickedness of this “lawful” medical procedure. Most Christians know that we are called to protect the innocent. Do we cry out to protect them? Even though most Christians abhor this aberration, most simply acquiesce and go on our way. Roe v Wade is the law of the land, isn’t it?

The COVID-19 pandemic allows for the government to close our churches, but keep open casinos. Small businesses are closed, but the big box stores are allowed to remain open. The government decides who is essential and who is not. All of us are essential to our God. And what do we, as Christians, do? We acquiesce and dutifully don our masks and socially distance, abiding by man’s law while we disregard God’s plan for us. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25 The more we fall prey to fear, the easier it is to be controlled. The longer we are kept away from corporate worship, the more we lose our faith. The more that man’s law supersedes God’s law, the easier it becomes to accept that which God condemns. We willingly accept all these violations of our protected First Amendment right of freedom to practice our religion in order to keep others safe and to prevent the spread, don’t we?

Behavior expressly condemned by Scripture is enacted into man’s law and far too many of God’s churches say “Amen!” Too many churches readily adopt secular understandings of gender and sexual identity, failing to uphold Scripture. Sin is sin, no matter how we sugarcoat it. We all fall short and instead of helping our brothers and sisters to the narrow path, we again acquiesce. It is the law of the land after all!

So many are praying fervently for God to reach down and bring sanity back to this world. We pray that God intervenes and saves this great nation. We pray the God will bring a revival and bring us closer to Him. I am praying just as ardently for God to reach down and save us. But we must understand our role in what is happening to this nation that was originally founded based upon Judeo Christian values. God cannot be happy with the utter collapse of our nation into secular recklessness. God cannot be happy when Christians continue to willingly fall into the trap set by the Evil One. God cannot be happy as Christians are content with the status quo that will continue to persecute Christianity.

Our government is filled with representatives that place their desires ahead of those they represent. Our government is filled with those who place their own glory before our God and King. Our government is not “by the people and for the people”, it has become party first, citizens last. Our government is crushing free speech, freedom of religion and our God given right to the pursuit of whatever happiness one is willing to attain. What has become so sad is that the “silent majority” refuses to speak up. What we have become is a lost generation, engaging in self worship, so enamored with our own wants and desires, that our inaction is actually destroying the very freedom that allows our selfishness to flourish.

We, as a nation, have fallen far from the narrow path and have run headlong to the wide path of acceptance, diversity and fairness that must have the Evil One laughing with glee. “Our lives begin to die the day we silent about things that matter.” Said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his “I have a dream” Speech. Will it be necessary for God to lead this nation into the wilderness for forty years, or will enough of His people stand up for what is right, true and pleasing to our Lord and Savior? If we Fail to act to elect those who respect and love the Lord and continue to place self-serving politicians that lead us to that wide path, we will surely need to be humbled and our hearts be tested. Only if we decide to respect and obey His commandments as a testament of our love for Him will God rescue our nation. Stay as we are and a reckoning is necessary. Silence will never bring about change, and most definitely will not be the impetus for a revival. It is long past due to end our silence and get involved. It’s never too late to convince God of our faith with our words and actions. Will you speak up for God?