[My complaint]
Come on, God, don't You know what's going on in this country? Don't You hear our prayers? Why do You seem to look the other way when evil is prevailing? We are praying for justice to rule.
Don't You hear our prayers for judgment on those unlawful nations which threaten to destroy us? They are fierce and hotheaded, blood-thirsty and dangerous. Their leaders are out of their minds, like loose cannons. They don't honor You. Their poison is spreading all over the world. They seize what doesn't belong to them and murder their captives. They laugh at us, mock us.
Sure, we know our country isn't perfect. But remember, we are Your people, called by Your Name. We have committed some gross sins too—but we are still pretty righteous compared to how bad our enemies are. We are in social ferment and even physical conflict among ourselves, our leaders are corrupt, and we have lost our way. Natural calamities are coming upon us. Because You are just and holy I know we're really not going to get away with our transgressions, but—please, God, we really want to be great again....
Come on, God, don't You know what's going on in this country? Don't You hear our prayers? Why do You seem to look the other way when evil is prevailing? We are praying for justice to rule.
Don't You hear our prayers for judgment on those unlawful nations which threaten to destroy us? They are fierce and hotheaded, blood-thirsty and dangerous. Their leaders are out of their minds, like loose cannons. They don't honor You. Their poison is spreading all over the world. They seize what doesn't belong to them and murder their captives. They laugh at us, mock us.
Sure, we know our country isn't perfect. But remember, we are Your people, called by Your Name. We have committed some gross sins too—but we are still pretty righteous compared to how bad our enemies are. We are in social ferment and even physical conflict among ourselves, our leaders are corrupt, and we have lost our way. Natural calamities are coming upon us. Because You are just and holy I know we're really not going to get away with our transgressions, but—please, God, we really want to be great again....
[God replies]
You may not like My answer. Write this down because you may not believe it. I want everyone to know very clearly. Of course I don't endorse evil and I reward the good. And I don't overlook those who are righteous, who are just and live by faith and who honor Me. But My way is not to rain justice down from heaven. I am going to judge your evil oppressors in My time frame and in My own way.
If it is My will to use other nations, heinous as they are, to punish your nation, that is My prerogative. *Your enemy may even rule over you for a time, but I will judge them and all those super powers around you too and they will fall into ruin. Don't question My methods or My timing. Be patient and trust Me. I hold history in my hands.
You may not like My answer. Write this down because you may not believe it. I want everyone to know very clearly. Of course I don't endorse evil and I reward the good. And I don't overlook those who are righteous, who are just and live by faith and who honor Me. But My way is not to rain justice down from heaven. I am going to judge your evil oppressors in My time frame and in My own way.
If it is My will to use other nations, heinous as they are, to punish your nation, that is My prerogative. *Your enemy may even rule over you for a time, but I will judge them and all those super powers around you too and they will fall into ruin. Don't question My methods or My timing. Be patient and trust Me. I hold history in my hands.
Was the above scenario
written in 2017
about the United States?
about the United States?
No! Almost verbatim
(paraphrased) the above was written by the prophet Habakkuk in about 612-589
B.C. in the Old Testament Book bearing his name. God had just shown
the prophet that evil Babylon was poised to overrun Judah as God's
judgment on His people Judah. The subject of this prophecy is the destruction of Judea
and Jerusalem for the sins of the people, and the consolation of the
faithful under national calamities.
The
governments of the world are on the shoulders of the “Child born to
us, the Son given to us” the One Whose Name will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6) He has not abandoned His people who aspire to be
righteous, but His hand is in all the affairs of men and nations
throughout history until it culminates in the Return of the Prince of
Peace, Jesus, at the conclusion of Planet Earth's history. It may be
applaudable for us to desire that our nation be great again, faithful
to its godly heritage, but the more commendable prayer is that our
God be magnified and HE becomes great again in the hearts of
our nation's people.
*
Reminder from history:
Today,
we have the advantage of seeing centuries of this cycle in
retrospect. We know, like the Hebrew prophets, that God used Assyria
to judge Israel, Babylon to judge Assyria (and Judah), and later,
Persia to judge Babylon. We also know from later history that the
Macedonians brought down Persia, and in turn, Rome over the
Macedonians and on through the centuries. If you search more recent
history, you’ll see the same process at work in our global
political context as the prophets did.
(I take responsibility for the
above personal, non-political, non-partisan thoughts the day
after the President's Proclamation of a National Day of Prayer.)
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear" said Jesus.
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