Have you ever wondered why we are having all these excessive weather patterns like tornados, hurricanes, droughts, fires and then floods? Have you thought about the reasons why there is so much killing and crime in our country or why our Social Security funds are running out and every other government agency is “running in the red”. Are you concerned about our nation being overrun by illegal aliens (or more politically correct; border crossers), causing chaos and a financial drains on hospitals, welfare agencies, schools, Border Patrol and law enforcement agencies? Does it concern you that gasoline prices are careening out of sight and home foreclosures and bankruptcies are on the rise? Are you also concerned about the aids epidemic and other communicable diseases on the rise? I could go on. If you are normal you must be getting stressed over all these catastrophes and asking, “why doesn’t somebody do something?”.
Well, somebody can do something and that somebody is we Christians. Have you ever read 2nd Chronicles 7:14 - “If my people which are called by my name (Christians) will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and heal their land”. Also check out verse 13 - “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people”.
Then there is God speaking to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 - “And I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed”. Then, again God, speaking about the end times, (which we are in) says in Joel 3:2 - “I will also gather all nations, and bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead (or enter into judgment) with them there for my people and for my heritage, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted (divided up) my land”.
“Houston, we have a problem here”, as they say to NASA from the space ship or as the old political cartoon, Pogo, used to say, “We have met the enemy and the enemy is us”.
Not many preachers or teachers are talking about this problem. It, nonetheless is as real as God is real. The problem is, basically, two-fold:
Number One: We Christians, as a whole, are not being “salt and light”. We aren’t much distinguishable from non-Christians in many areas of our lives. The same was true with God’s people in the Old Testament and is addressed in II Chronicles 7:14. If we really want our land to be healed we, as Christians, need to 1) Humble ourselves and pray, 2) Seek God’s face, and 3)Turn from our wicked ways, then we can expect God to do His part which is to 1) Hear from Heaven 2) Forgive our sin and 3) Heal our land. It's that simple and it’s called REPENTANCE!
Number Two: We need to personally and publicly bless and not curse Israel. (Please note: At the time of this writing we are just 7 days past the 60th. anniversary of Israel's becoming a state - May 15, 1948) We can personally bless Israel by giving to legitimate charities that send money and/or goods to Israel. Some legitimate organizations are Christian Broadcasting Network’s (CBN) Operation Blessing, a relief organization, and Christians United for Israel. You can also join these organizations and give monthly financial support. Christians United for Israel (CUFI) not only financially supports Israel, but also puts pressure on the President and Congress to do things that help Israel defend herself.
Every time we pressure Israel to give away more land (see Joel 3:2, “and they divided my land”) to the Palestinians something bad happens to us. For example, as part of President Bush's "Roadmap to Peace" plan, in early 2005 the United States pressured Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel to give away land to the Palestinians on the Gaza Strip that belonged to Israel by the mandate of God in the Bible. Then on August 15, 2005 Mr. Sharon forced Israeli residents out of the Gaza Strip by tearing down their houses and businesses to satisfy that plan. Just 14 days later on August 29, 2005 hurricane Katrina made landfall on the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi causing the most devastating damage ever by hurricane in the US. Then in March 2006, Mr. Sharon suffered a massive stroke and had to step down as Prime Minister of Israel.
You may think that I am getting political with these statements of fact but I am just stating God’s position and His word as given in the Bible. It only becomes political when politicians get involved in the things of God, especially as it pertains to Israel.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee. Psalm 122:6
Glory to God
Hal Mitchell - Halmitch@cox.net
