It Starts with the Church!
When you scan the headlines it is entirely possible to come away with a sense of hopelessness bordering on depression. When the politicians speak, it isn’t to offer solutions, but rather blame. The world is a dangerous and unsettled place right now, but the answer doesn’t come out of Washington or any of the state capitals; the only lasting solution starts with the church.
The author of the Old Testament book of Judges wrote these sobering words; “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6, ESV). This was secular humanism. It’s not nearly as “innovative” or original an idea as today’s humanists pretend it to be…
The people of Israel were following the gods of the lands they were moving into, instead of following the one true God who defeated idols, making them as nothing. God had also provided them with everything they needed as they wandered through the wilderness for 40 years.
God had divided the Red Sea for well over 600,000 people to walk upon dry land to get away from slavery in Egypt. Then God overcame the mighty Egyptian army by covering them with that same water that He had stopped for them. And for 40 years their clothes never wore out and their shoes never wore through. God supplied their meals and every material need, yet when they reached the Promised Land, it was as if the Lord had been forgotten.
So, God withdrew His protection, allowing other nations to overcome them until they turned their hearts back toward Him and cried out for His deliverance, which He always granted.
This happened time and again yet they never seemed to learn. Truly, they were to God a “stubborn people.” After many years God raised up a Judge named Samuel who also became the first prophet for Israel.
The story picks up as the people of Israel are tired of being ruled by the Philistines and they cry out to God and God presents the Judge Samuel to them. “And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, ‘If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve Him only, and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 7:3).
Thousands of years later, this Old Testament verse teaches us that the change we need here in the United States can only be achieved by returning to God. The church of today is far too distracted with the musings and gods of this day and age. We are enjoying all that the world has to offer but, like the Israelites of old, we fail to remember who supplies all that we need and have. The world, as revealed in the daily news, wants nothing to do with the real God, whom we serve.
It is time for the church to heed to words of James 4:4; “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” We must turn our hearts fully over to God and put anything that we deem more important to Him out of our lives for good. This world offers some very good things, but when they become more important to us than God, we become guilty of idolatry.
What idol (or idols!) steps between you and your Lord? It could be that your job has become more important to you than God. Perhaps sports, or a hobby or a lust you indulge? Whatever it is, confess that it is so, then repent and fully turn to God.
Turn away from those false gods that take you away from following the true God with all your heart. Do not waste your life with that which does not ultimately satisfy.
Read the words of the sweet Psalmist of Israel, King David; “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forever more” (Psalm 16:11, ESV).
Ultimate fulfillment and joy are found only in the God of the Bible through Jesus Christ. The cure for our world, the path to peace and the defeat of evil are all found in the same place – in the House of the Lord. May you find fulfillment and joy in Him today, so you can live in peace and contentment for all the tomorrows to come.