Psalm 22 is a fitting chapter for Independence Day. Isn’t interesting how God arranges little details like that? It begins with a couple questions that one might think are coming from our country today. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning”? Ever feel like that is where we are as a country today? That God has left. That He has turned His back on us and is far away? It might feel that way, but it really isn’t. God hasn’t left us. He hasn’t taken any steps from us. He is simply waiting for us to put Him back where He belongs.
The psalmist goes on and writes: “I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame”. Was this written in our time? It sounds like America…..in you our fathers trusted…..to you they cried and were rescued. We have that heritage here in America. God was the center of our founding fathers and the country they created. And God did respond and has often ever since.
But often it is us that turn our back on God and want to do things our way and in our time. That is when it feels like God has moved. We cry out “be not far from me” just as they did in the days of old. When we take our eyes off God and put those eyes on self and what we can do alone, then it feels like God has moved. In fact He hasn’t, but it seems like that because we are looking the wrong place. But here is what they were crying out for:
- “deliver my sould
- save me
- trouble is near
- evildoers encircle me”
It looked bleak and the psalmist is feeling overwhelmed.
But he rightly lets us know how we can again get connected with God. It happens when we put Him where He belongs and live in right relationship with Him. Check out the actions that are taken to put God on the throne again:
- “I will tell of your name
- I will praise you
- Glorify Him
- Stand in awe of Him
- Seek Him
- Remember and turn to the Lord
- Worship before you
- Before Him shall bow all
- It shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation”
Do you see it? God is put back where He belongs. “Kingship belongs to the Lord, and He rules over all the nations”. When we get that right, then things work the way they were designed. When God is put first and as King, life just works. We need to “proclaim His righteousness” and “turn to the Lord” so we can experience His blessing and grace. God hasn’t moved. It is time for America to return, and that begins with you and me!
Posted by May God Continue to Bless America « God's Word for Women on July 4, 2012 at 5:52 pm
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