By Keith Parker
Recently I returned from a mission trip to India. The hearts of the people are hungry for the Gospel. They were open, receptive, and appreciative of God’s Word. I met some of the most loving people that I’ve ever met in my life. The Gospel was preached and souls were saved; it was a very successful journey. However, being in India reminded me of the abundant blessings of America. Compared to the poverty of India, most of us Americans are rich; we’re blessed beyond words. We’re living in the greatest country in the world. As Lee Greenwood sang, “I am proud to be an American.”
But morally and spiritually America needs to be healed. Take a look at what is going on in our country. Divorce is no longer frowned upon. Homosexual marriages are being applauded. Abortion is an option considered by many. One can hardly turn on the television without hearing God’s name used in vain. The filth that Hollywood and the movie industry are spewing is sinful and sickening. The violence, greed, lusts, sexual immorality, nudity, and rotten language that are seen and heard on the screen are a reflection of the depravity in the hearts and homes of the American people.
What’s the answer? Let’s not be a problem-conscious people without being a solution-conscious people. As always, God gives us the answer: “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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). First, notice the people of this passage: “If My people, who are called by My name….” In Old Testament times the people of God were called “Israelites” or “Jews.” What about today? What are God’s people called today? We’re Christians (Acts 11:26). Followers of Jesus. The salt and light of the world. Christians can support clean and wholesome entertainment. Christians can refuse to spend money on the filth of HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime. Christians can object to ungodly movies. Christians can refuse to let Satan babysit their kids. Christians can make a positive difference in this negative world.
Second, notice the plan of this passage: “…will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways.” God’s plan starts with humility. Be humble enough to admit wrong. Be humble enough to change. Be humble enough to seek help. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10). Humility leads to prayer. Pray about anything and everything. Pray for wisdom in choosing the right movie to attend. “You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:2). Prayer leads to seeking God’s face and turning from wicked ways. Quit going to movies that bring you down spiritually. Stop renting movies that you would be ashamed to watch with Jesus. Make up your mind that you will not watch a movie that you could not show at church or show to children. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Third, notice the promises of this passage: “Then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” God promises to open His ears to our prayers: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12). God’s promises to forgive our sins: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). God promises to heal our land: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance” (Psalm 33:12). These are precious promises. If we’ll just follow God’s plan, they can be ours today.
It’s time for Christians to think. It’s time for America to repent. As always, we hope you will think on these things.
