On Praying for America
And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. (Ezekiel 9:4)
It is awkward to use this passage in connection with an appeal to pray for America except for this: we are not yet where the people of Jerusalem were when Ezekiel wrote this. In the above case, prayer time was over. An awesome slaughter was about to take place but before the judgment began the angel of death was to mark some to be sparred. Those who were to be spared were those who had taken sides with God and had sighed and cried over the wickedness of their nation.
So, where are we under the hand of God in America? Make no mistake about it, we have become an exceedingly wicked nation and as has been said all my life by many preachers, “If God does not severely judge America, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah for burning down their cities.” In Ezekiel 9:4 above, the death angel was to begin executing people at the Jerusalem Temple.
Peter takes up this principle in his writings: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1Peter 4:17) God was allowing great persecution of Jerusalem and the Jewish people in that day but warned that it was nothing compared to what is going to come upon the rest of the world.
In Leviticus 20 God goes into detail about what Israel was to do to avoid losing their nation and concludes with this warning: And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. (Lev 20:23) There is not room here to reproduce the text of Leviticus 20, so please follow the red link in this sentence and read it.
May I please suggest that if you are not already praying daily for America that you spend at least 5 minutes a day without-fail in praying for America. Discipline yourself to do it. Regular prayer creates an appetite for prayer, so the five minutes may grow into a longer time of prayer. Do it for the rest of your life. Be as those in our text today: sigh and cry over the abominations of our nation.
Thank God for what remains good in our nation. Pray for our president and all of those in the House and Senate who make laws and for our court system. Pray for the thousands of policemen in many roles of patrolling our streets and highways and who put their lives on the line every day. Policemen die every day in America. Pray for our soldiers. Pray for the pastors God has called to preach and for the churches they serve.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1Timothy 2:1-4) Ω
THIS ARICLE IS EDITED and reprinted from an article by the same title, published July 10, 2015
Read Through the Bible in a Year
NOVEMBER 14, 2017 - TUESDAY
A.M. Ezekiel 7-9 P.M. Hebrews 10:24-39
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
Good Verse to Memorize:
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Song for Today:
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (3:28) (Calvary Mem. Choir)
https://www.facebook.com/100009410046480/videos/2032918803698435/
You may have to adjust the volume and delete Ad.
And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. (Ezekiel 9:4)
It is awkward to use this passage in connection with an appeal to pray for America except for this: we are not yet where the people of Jerusalem were when Ezekiel wrote this. In the above case, prayer time was over. An awesome slaughter was about to take place but before the judgment began the angel of death was to mark some to be sparred. Those who were to be spared were those who had taken sides with God and had sighed and cried over the wickedness of their nation.
So, where are we under the hand of God in America? Make no mistake about it, we have become an exceedingly wicked nation and as has been said all my life by many preachers, “If God does not severely judge America, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah for burning down their cities.” In Ezekiel 9:4 above, the death angel was to begin executing people at the Jerusalem Temple.
Peter takes up this principle in his writings: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1Peter 4:17) God was allowing great persecution of Jerusalem and the Jewish people in that day but warned that it was nothing compared to what is going to come upon the rest of the world.
In Leviticus 20 God goes into detail about what Israel was to do to avoid losing their nation and concludes with this warning: And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. (Lev 20:23) There is not room here to reproduce the text of Leviticus 20, so please follow the red link in this sentence and read it.
May I please suggest that if you are not already praying daily for America that you spend at least 5 minutes a day without-fail in praying for America. Discipline yourself to do it. Regular prayer creates an appetite for prayer, so the five minutes may grow into a longer time of prayer. Do it for the rest of your life. Be as those in our text today: sigh and cry over the abominations of our nation.
Thank God for what remains good in our nation. Pray for our president and all of those in the House and Senate who make laws and for our court system. Pray for the thousands of policemen in many roles of patrolling our streets and highways and who put their lives on the line every day. Policemen die every day in America. Pray for our soldiers. Pray for the pastors God has called to preach and for the churches they serve.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1Timothy 2:1-4) Ω
THIS ARICLE IS EDITED and reprinted from an article by the same title, published July 10, 2015
Read Through the Bible in a Year
NOVEMBER 14, 2017 - TUESDAY
A.M. Ezekiel 7-9 P.M. Hebrews 10:24-39
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
Good Verse to Memorize:
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Song for Today:
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (3:28) (Calvary Mem. Choir)
https://www.facebook.com/100009410046480/videos/2032918803698435/
You may have to adjust the volume and delete Ad.
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