A Memorial Day Message - 5/27/2007

What now, America?

Today I want to talk about the challenge that America faces in this world, and what I believe is the way to victory over those who desire America’s destruction! This is not a political sermon! I have no intent of endorsing or condemning the policies of our President or the legislative agenda of the Congress. It is not my desire to reflect views that are either Republican or Democratic. I am a Christian first, then an American, and then comes my political affiliation. It is not my intent to assign blame for the wars that we are fighting, or to even say if those wars are justified!

America faces a difficult future!

∙ The fact is that we have hundreds of thousands of soldiers and employees of the American government engaged in bloody wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan that appear to be ongoing for years to come.

∙ Conflicts are boiling in Lebanon and among Palestinians in Israel that could explode and involve Americans at any time.

∙ Elements of militant Islam continue to seek to bring destruction to America and to her interests around the world.

∙ Iran is making very hostile moves towards Israel and the United States.

∙ Everyone wonders if Russia is going to return to an adversarial position with President Putin making more and more statements that challenge America’s interests around the world. Some suggest that Russia will attempt to re-establish her empire, which crumbled along with Soviet Communism in the 1990's.

The next 10 years hold little promise of peace! Regardless of who holds power in Washington, DC it is quite likely that we will be at war, in one way or another, for the foreseeable future. Those wars are expensive, both in terms of human suffering and death, and to our economy, which is having an effect on our prosperity here at home. Health care issues and the needs of our aging population are being pushed aside to fund the wars.

So, I ask - ‘what now, America?’

There is a text in the OT, from which I draw some parallels and lessons in principle for us at this time.

TEXT - 2 Chronicles 20

READ vv. 1-4

The king of Judah was facing a crisis. The armies of three nations were camped just a couple of days march, about 30 miles, from the city of Jerusalem. This king had ruled well to this point, leading his people to justice, to godliness, and to general prosperity. Now, everyone is filled with anxiety. They are clinging to each other, full of questions....

What does the future hold?

Can we resist the combined forces that are marching against us?

Jehoshaphat made a decision that I would like to see our own leaders make! He called for a national prayer meeting, along with a genuine time of repentance. Now know that he was not just doing this, because he had no other options. He didn’t say, “What do we have to lose? Prayer doesn’t cost anything, so why not try it?”

This king had resources! He had armies to mobilize. He had built store cities, in which there were reserves of grain to used in desperate times. He enjoyed widespread popularity. He called for prayer, because he knew that his ultimate resource was God’s Presence and protection.

It is rather lengthy, but I want to read his prayer this morning. 2 Chronicles 20: 5-12

As I read it, note the depth, the passion, the faith in the prayer. This is not a little squeak, “Help, Lord” uttered in the dark in his royal bedroom. This is a prayer of utter reliance on the Lord, confessed publicly before the people of his nation.

READ

As I have already outlined this morning, America faces real challenges.

What would it mean if Believers saw these threats as a call to prayer, as a reason for new devotion to God?

I do not mean to imply that nationally we are the ‘people of God’ as Judah was in the time of this story. There are important differences. The Jews were both a nation and the covenant people of God. Today, those who are Christ’s followers, Believers the world-wide, are God’s people. He does not favor one nation over another as His chosen people. However, if Christians in this nation, gather and seek God’s face on behalf of all who live in our land, I believe we can see God’s intervention!

There is a principle that repeats in the Scripture.

God spares the entire nation for a righteousness minority who intercedes prayerfully for them.

It does not require thousands, upon thousands, of faithful Christians to make a difference. It requires a praying few, who earnestly reach out to the Lord, who fearlessly stand as intercessors, bringing the power of heaven to touch the pain of earth!

We need to become a prayerful people who broaden our prayers beyond -

“Lord, bless me today. Give me more money. Bless my kids. Give them more money. Keep me healthy. Fill my refrigerator with delicacies. Make my life comfortable. Help my church to meet my needs and my Pastor to be entertaining.

Oh, and Lord, don’t forget - bless the troops and the missionaries. Amen.”

Such is the anemic prayer life of all too many Believers today!

What if we started praying prayers that gripped our hearts like the prayers of Jehoshaphat?

What if we engaged ourselves in times of fasting- abstaining from creature comforts and/or activities for short times - so that we could more attentive and receptive to the voice of God?

Note what happened when Judah prayed!

Go back to the text again this morning – READ 2 Chronicles 20:13-18

What a phrase – “The battles is not yours, but God’s!”

When Jehoshaphat assembled his army, they went to field of battle singing worship songs! They were praising God singing, “Give thanks to Lord, His love endures forever!”

They met an amazing sight as they neared the desert where their enemies had made camp.

READ 2 Chronicles 20:24; 27-30

Let me very clear this morning. I do not believe that America occupies the same place in God’s plans as ancient Judah did. But I do very much know that you and I, as members of the Christian church through faith in Jesus Christ, do!

Peter uses the same language once used to describe Israel to about Believers, telling us - "you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9, NIV)

In The Message it reads like this – " you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—" (1 Peter 2:9)

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So, in this simple message on this Memorial Day weekend, my challenge is just this –

Pray like a real priest on behalf of our nation, our military members, our President, our national leaders.

Instead of living fearfully, defensively, or even critically –

become a world-changing Believer who asks God for specific things for these United States.

Make it personal by learning the names of men and women who are serving in the military or in war zones, praying for them every day! (Ask people to call out names of those they know. David Rhinehart, Andrew Herzer ) Pray specifically for their protection and for God to use the rigors of military life to gain their attention and change them into godly people.

This is an act of obedience to the command of the Word which tells us –"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.

Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

This is good and pleases God our Savior," (1 Timothy 2:1-3, NLT)

Amen.