This is the conclusion of a four part series. You can read parts one, two and three here.
The Good News
I’ve spent three articles talking about the similarities between Jeremiah’s Lamentations over Jerusalem and where it looks like America is headed right now. They lacked foresight, insight and any other kind of sight to see the very real, and very sad conclusion to their own state of affairs. I’ve also probably totally bummed you out with such a negative tone, so I wanted to conclude this four part series with some good news.
Jeremiah wrote his lamentations over Jerusalem first and foremost because he genuinely ached for her. The great city that he had been raised in was gone. The glory that had once been God’s literal resting place on earth was now reduced to rubble. He was heartbroken. But more than that, he wanted others who followed God in the future to avoid such a fate.
Jeremiah wasn’t writing his lamentation mainly to the Israelites of his day, but mainly to us. To every god-fearing people after him. It is a testimony of what will happen to a nation, any nation, who sheds innocent blood and perverts justice. Israel had many other covenants before God that all other nations do not, but the thing in common that we share is the thing God will judge any nation for. And that means that if we will heed Jeremiah’s warning, we can avoid his fate.
Jerusalem sits as a warning to us today. One we can learn from. One we can grow from. I pray we will listen.
Hope For Today
We have hope today. We have time, but only a little. We are in a rare window of opportunity where I believe the Lord is offering us a chance to wholeheartedly return to Him.
2 Chronicles 7:14 was written specifically to Israel for their time of trouble, but I believe that God would apply it to us today as well. The difference is that 2 Chronicles 7:14 was written to national Israel. Today, God’s people, the church, can claim it over our nation.
I believe that if we have a national church repentance in the spirit of 2 Chronicles 7:14, then God will bless our entire nation on His people’s behalf. Let’s read that passage:
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
This was the promise that if Jerusalem had invoked in time, it would have avoided Jeremiah’s lamentations. We are at that point today. We need not enlist politicians to change our laws. We do not need homosexuality to end. Ending abortion will not stop the tide that is rolling.
What we need is nation-wide repentance from God’s people, the church. When we engage in that, we will see things change. When the church repents of our wickedness and returns to the Lord in humility, He will heal our entire nation on our behalf. Our politics. Our finances. Our morals.
I am all for enlisting politicians, ending abortion and seeking an end to societal acceptance of sinful lifestyles, but I have little faith that any of it will take root without a heart-level change. I believe that heart-level change begins with the church.
When God’s people seriously come before Him in humility, amazing things happen. Awakenings have rocked nations. Revivals have healed generations. We need that here. America needs awakening. We need revival.
The 7:14 Prayer
Would you join me, and many others, in praying twice a day for our nation. I believe that small, heartfelt prayers can change a nation. Watch this video and join the Facebook page. Would you help by enlisting others to help.
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Our good news is that we don’t have to be like Jerusalem. We can be like America. Our history is not written yet. Our fate is not yet sealed. Join with me and pray for our nation. Engage your pastors, leaders, Bible study friends and relatives to pray for our nation.
Your voice matters. Your prayers matter. It’s not too late. Start today, and don’t give up until God breaks in and heals our land!
I am a writer, author and purveyor of ink on paper. I also preach, teach and create Excel spreadsheets.