King Solomon, gifted with wisdom,
above all men, made a statement: “When the righteous are in authority,
the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan
and sigh.” (Proverbs 29:2). We need not look far to agree with
him, as we witness today’s bleak scenario in our land. From the bottom
to the top we see corruption, greed, deceitfulness, godlessness. We
hear the groans of the nation and there seems to be no way out of our
dilemma. The enemy would have us believe there is no way out; this is
true for the unbeliever, but the Chief Shepherd longs to lead this nation
back to its foundations, because of those who are in covenant with Him.
As we reflected last month
on our nation’s foundations being destroyed, we must ask ourselves
what the solution might be. Fools make a mockery of sin and sin mocks
the fools. (Proverbs 14:9) God’s mercy poured out upon us should lead
us to repentance, but we continue on in a rebellious state refusing
His Word and counsel.
John the Baptist coming forth
out of the wilderness, cried, “REPENT – (think differently, change
your minds, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), “for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt.3:1-2)
Now this message of repentance
is not given to New Testament only for we see many instances in the
Old Testament.
Ezra, the priest, under deep
conviction and repentance said, “O my God, I am ashamed and blush
to lift my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher
than our heads and our guilt is mounted to the heavens.”
(Ezra 9:6) Reading on through
chapter 10, a beautiful thing is seen as the Spirit moved through one
man, humbled before the Lord; for while he prayed, confessed and wept,
a great assembly of people wept bitterly and entered into covenant with
the Lord. Oh! Lord, let this kind of conviction and repentance move
in our land that righteous might reign!
Ezra calls a spade a spade
in addressing the iniquities of Israel. Have we considered there is
a marked difference between sin, transgressions and iniquities? The
latter is a life-style of sin!
Isaiah’s conviction, confession,
cleansing, consecration and commission came as he acknowledged he was
undone! He found himself to be a man of unclean lips, living in the
midst of a people with unclean lips. This is not necessarily a cursing
man, but one whose confession is not unto the Lord, calling upon Him
for salvation.
These are only a few examples
of genuine repentance and the results it brings into an individual and
a nation. Iniquity and guilt are taken away and forgiveness comes.
Dutch Sheets
exhorted the body of Christ thusly: “We deserve His judgment for removing
His influence and authority from our government, schools, homes and
businesses; for the killing of 50 million babies; for leading the world
in the consumption and exporting of pornography; for passing laws to
reject His, etc. But mercy triumphs over judgment, and in His wrath
He remembers mercy. Please pray for this grace to be released again”
The prophet
Joel called for national repentance. (Joel 2:17-18) Let the priests
and the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar,
and let them say, Have pity and spare your people, O Lord, and give
not Your heritage to reproach, that the heathen nations should rule
over them or use a byword against them. Why should they say among
the peoples, Where is your God? Then was the Lord jealous for His land
and had pity on His people.
In closing,
one incident from the book of Acts, chapter 2:32-43. While Peter preached,
they were cut to the heart, asking what they should do; this is repentance!
That day when repentance came, about three thousand souls were added
to the kingdom.
Genuine repentance
brings change, because we have changed our minds and begun to agree
with God! Today, we hear much about “change”, but only the Lord,
by His Spirit, can bring changes bearing righteousness in the lives
of individuals and governments. Genuine repentance brings a new lifestyle
of obedience to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords – even Jesus Christ!
God’s Word says, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt trusting in
horses and chariots.” In other words, the arm of the flesh produces
nothing good and lasting. Without repentance we tie God’s hands to
bless our land and restore it.
He promises
the increase of His government and His peace of which there shall be
no end. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done. Amen. Even so,
come quickly, Lord Jesus.
The
Abused Bride of Christ
By Dr. Catherine Clark
Kroeger
Reprinted with permission from
“Prism”
Like many an abused woman,
the church is battered and bleeding from a wound that she fails to recognize.
Many evangelicals cannot bear to acknowledge that spousal abuse is an
enduring problem within our very walls. Both individually and as a faith
community, we are ashamed and humiliated to admit the presence of such
a problem.
It is far easier to deny, to minimize, and to conceal.
Evangelicalism has been effective
in proclaiming the redemptive and reconciling love of God to a world
in desperate need. In the last half-century, it has gained in both numbers
and influence throughout the globe. Believers can point to many accomplishments
and ministries through which they have sought to bring glory to God
and healing balm to those in need. We have recognized the need to be
doers of the Word and not just hearers.
In at least one area, however,
evangelicals have lagged far behind others involved in humanitarian
endeavors. We have failed to address the issue of domestic abuse in
any significant way. In actuality, our leaders have been caught in a
dilemma that leaves them with such a high degree of discomfort that
they cannot even acknowledge the problem.
Quite correctly, they maintain
a high view of the Christian home and seek to build strong families.
This is commendable, but it is important that a biblical perspective
be offered. In the Bible, one of the features most strongly emphasized
for godly homes is that of safety. Believers are promised that they
may dwell in safety, lie down to sleep in safety and that their homes
will be free of terror and violence. ”My people will abide in a peaceful
habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isaiah
32:18).
The theme is a recurrent one.
Indeed, the prophet Isaiah maintains that peace in the home, safety,
and righteousness is the inheritance of the believer (54:13- 17). Faithful
teaching on the Christian family must include at least as much proclamation
of these aspects as is accorded them in Scripture.
(Full Article)
Catherine Kroeger is RANKED
ADJUNCT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT GORDON CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
She co-authored No Place for Abuse: Biblical & Practical Resources
to Counteract Domestic Violence with Nancy Nason-Clark (Intervarsity
Press, 2001) and edited, along with James R. Beck, Healing the Hurting:
Giving Hope and Help to Abused Women (1998) and Women, Abuse,
and the Bible: How Scripture Can Be Used to Hurt or to Heal (1996),
both published by Baker Book House.
