A Nation Under Judgement

“Now when these things had been completed, the princes approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, according to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites. For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has intermingled with the peoples of the lands; indeed, the hands of the princes and the rulers have been foremost in this unfaithfulness.” When I heard about this matter, I tore my garment and my robe, and pulled some of the hair from my head and my beard, and sat down appalled. Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel on account of the unfaithfulness of the exiles gathered to me, and I sat appalled until the evening offering.

But at the evening offering I arose from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn, and I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to the LORD my God; and I said, “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt, and on account of our iniquities we, our kings and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity and to plunder and to open shame, as it is this day.” Ezra 9:1-7

The judgement of God on a nation is usually experienced through the consequences of individual transgressions. Though the effect is cumulative (the more an individual sins, the more widespread the judgement), God is willing to forgive and restore.

The healing of a nation in bondage to moral captivity begins with repentance in the Christian community. We cannot point the finger of accusation for our country’s problems at someone else. That’s why Peter wrote: “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God...” (1 Peter 4:17). Until the body of Christ is serious and contrite over sin, how can we expect unbelievers to acknowledge their rebellion?

What begins with repentance must continue with fervent intercession. God is moved by the prayers of His people - especially the petitions of a cleansed, humble church of believers who understand their plight apart from the mercy of God. It was the sincere repentance and prayers of a beleaguered Jewish remnant that brought them out of captivity and restored their nation.

The resolution of America’s problems begins at our doorstep with confession and forsaking of sin and humble, consistent intercession for our land and our leaders.

“If...My people...humble themselves and pray...then I...will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14