GOD’S PROTECTIVE HAND

Think about this:
God has blessed America into a ‘state of complacency’.
Complacency was not His plan, but it is an example
of how people can distort what God has provided for good.

His blessings were intended to draw us closer to Him, and
not to develop a lack of appreciation for what He has given us.
Complacency creates a lack of appreciation, which
causes people to look for fulfillment in other places.
Consequently, many people have stopped valuing the
freedom to worship and praise the Lord (especially in churches).

Although we don’t want to think of it in these terms,
it simply means that people (including some Christians),
have turned their back toward God, because they have
turned their attention to other things (worldly things).

The result?
Church attendance has dropped dramatically, which
has caused the closing of many churches across America.
When a nation is complacent about our Creator, it should
not be surprised at the issues and problems it experiences.

God loves us more than we can ever imagine.
He continually invites us to fellowship with Him, and
He is blessed whenever we praise and worship Him together.
Do we want to bless Him? Of course we do, if we are His followers!
Going to His House and praising Him with other believers is one of
the ways we can show the sincerity of our love and dedication to Him.

Can we worship Go alone? Of course we can (and should),
but it should never become a replacement for corporate worship.
God is patient, but whenever a nation has shown
it has other priorities, then God eventually removes His
hand of protection (along with His blessings) from the nation.

Is that cruel and unfair of Him?
No, it isn’t! It is a matter of perspective.
From a positive viewpoint, whenever we sense the absence of His
presence and protection, it can create a hunger and thirst for Him.
It seems that God is giving us one more chance to prove that
we want Him, and that we have a desire to praise and worship Him.

America is now experiencing what Christians
in other countries have been dealing with for years.
The lack of houses of worship (churches), and being
persecuted for claiming God as King, and Jesus as Savior.

It is a time for Christians to seriously understand
and participate in these words from God:
“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)

These words from God are for a nation collectively, but they are also instructions
for each and every individual who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
That means that the word “we” should be replaced with “I”.
In other words, we need to stop hiding in group dynamics
and look introspectively at ourselves, our priorities,
and our commitment to the Lord.

We need to say to ourselves:
“I will follow the instructions God has given me.”

“I have decided today, that when the pandemic is over,
I will no longer be complacent and find other things
to replace my time in God’s House worshiping Him.”

“I will not remain complacent about God and His principles.
I will actively exercise my privilege of voting for leaders
of my nation. I will compare political platforms to God’s
commands and vote against those who openly state that
they will violate His commandments.”

“I will renew my love for the Lord and welcome the Holy
Spirit to live within me daily, and guide me toward a closer
relationship with the God who loves and blesses me.”

“I will value the importance of worshiping with my
family of God, and I will realize how I can encourage
and be encouraged when I fellowship with other
believers, as God intended with these words…”,
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some
are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and
all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Question: What new commitments will you make today?

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