Crisis

"Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly." (Psalm 85:7-8 NKJ)

While crisis politics continue front-and-center in America, Americans struggle with technical glitches and increased online traffic trying to enroll in the new healthcare program which initially erected the current political stand-off in Congress. National worry and fear could have been avoided and serious issues could have been better managed, if cooperation and the greater good were truly important.

When one spouse physically forces his/her will on the other one, we call it abuse. When a parent physically forces his/her will on a child, we call it abuse. And when a government forces its will on the governed, it is abuse of power but we call it politics.

Wise leaders do not create a crisis situation. And when foolish leaders do, chaos and trouble always result. Note the division of a stable nation after a young, inexperienced leader rejected wise counsel and acted foolishly (1 Kings 12:15-16).

Yet, the Bible records that the national crisis in Israel resulted from the Lord's action (1 Kings 11:26-39; 2 Chronicles 11:1-4). And the Lord took this action because formerly King Solomon's administration had forsaken God, which was indicated by idol worship and disobedience of God's commands (1 Kings 11:33).

One wonders if the national crisis in America might be the Lord's doing. Warning after warning seems to fall on deaf ears in Washington. Our political leaders meet with religious leaders for counsel, yet they fail to act on the wise counsel, opting for harsh measures that create worry, fear and national unrest.

And just as the "word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God" for peace in Israel's crisis, America needs a word from the Lord today. We need men and women of God to speak the peace of God in our national crisis. There is a reason the Lord has allowed it to occur. Let us seek the Lord and listen for his solution.

Dear Father, thank you for your word of peace. Like the Psalmist we humbly ask you to show us your mercy and bring us deliverance. We pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Pray for peace and deliverance from folly,