Bobservations
by Pastor Bob Lawrenz
History is repeating itself. As ancient Israel was given warnings regarding the coming
Babylonian captivity, God’s word from the prophets were repeatedly rejected.
The prophets warned of coming judgment because their nation had moved further
and further away from God and His precepts. They were summarily shouted
down and persecuted for the words which God had given them to speak.
In recent decades, the United States has consistently elected to leadership
people who move us further and further from God. The “separation of church and
state” is as strong as ever, and is strengthening daily. Christians voicing a
need to return to Christ are shouted down and criticized for being out-of-touch
with the mainstream, and even persecuted for their statements.
It was just seven years after 9/11, a
President was elected who has strong Muslim leanings, the same faith proclaimed
by those who attacked us. This past week, in a post-election statement, we
heard our President say that there are bills coming from Congress that he will
not sign; that he will do many things which the Congress will not like. The
voice of the people will no longer be heard. Change has come, but not what we
had hoped for.
Israel was taken into bondage after ignoring the
prophets’ warnings, and the United States has elected a spiritual follower of Muslim
Iraq (modern Assyria). Though we are not taken away into
bondage, modern Assyrians and many other foreigners are coming. Our nation is
in the process of being invaded by foreign forces, all because we have left the
Lord as surely as did Israel. We are being told we must support these
foreign invaders and provide for them through social services, Social Security,
and welfare programs. Over two billion dollars has been redistributed, and not
even the poor have anything to show for it.
The Babylonian captivity lasted for a
generation because they did not let the land rest every 7 years according to
God’s word. While gone, the land rested, all because the people turned away
from God. What shall WE do? What does God call us to do? Without a return to
God, we can do nothing of our own strength.
“If my people,
which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my
face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14
