Have you ever had the feeling that God was hiding from you? Have you ever felt that He is far from you?
Looking at it another way; we can ask the question; Do you ever go looking for God? I believe that the answer to that question is, yes, but sometimes it is only when we are facing a crisis in our lives.
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For example; I am reminded that on September 11, 2001, the United States of America was attacked and the innocent lives of over 3000 people were lost. In the days and weeks to come, the television was full of broadcasts showing thousands of people and leader of Cities, States and the Nation filing into church’s and many prayer were made asking God to protect us from further attacks like those that had just occurred.
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Our nation was brought together by this major event; it seemed that we put aside our differences and pulled together, neighbor helping neighbor, praying together and comforting each other. Assuring each other that everything was going to be OK.
At that time our attention was focused on God as we asked Him for protection and we sought Him, asking that He would comfort those who had suffered the loss of a husband or a wife, a dad, a son or daughter. We cried out to God as a nation as fear rose, not knowing if another attack was imminent.
As the days, weeks and months moved on, we saw less of the prayer gatherings on the news. We heard less about the gatherings for prayer that had been so numerous until it seemed that as a nation, we went back to life as before. The crisis was over; we returned to business as usual, and life moved on.
I am reminded that this great nation was founded on believing in the Word of God. Prayer was part of our daily lives; prayer was even offered in Congress before the beginning of each session. Prayer and the public reading of the Bible was practiced in the public schools before the beginning of the school day.
As a nation; we have removed prayer from our schools, the reading of God’s Word has slipped into history; the Ten Commandments have been removed from the walls of our public buildings, and the list goes on.
Have we; as a nation arrived at a point where we have placed God in a glass case and attached Him to the wall, and we only break the glass, as it were and bring Him out, only in case of a national emergency? If that is true; how can we dare to ask God to protect us, when He is no longer the center of our love and affection? If this is true; we, as a nation are in deep trouble. God has blessed this Nation beyond measure over the years, but we have come to a point and walked away from God and His Mercy. God is not hiding from us, but we are trying to hide from Him.
It is time to seek the Lord while He may be found as Isaiah the Prophet has stated….
Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV)
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
And also in the book of James…
James 4:8 (NIV)
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
As an individual, family state and nation; it is time that we return to God and seek His forgiveness. Return to prayer as a source of everyday life. To create or reinstate our relationship with Jesus Christ; To repent of our sins, turn from our immoral ways; Then; we can ask God to Bless us once again.
PRAYER WORKS;
PRAYER MAKES THE IMPOSSIBLE, POSSIBLE!
