Isaiah 60:17-18 I will make peace your governor
and righteousness your ruler.
No longer will violence be heard in your land,
nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.

Reading this, I find myself intensely desiring it for America. I see less and less peace, and righteousness seems to be disappearing at an even faster rate. However, this passage will be fulfilled only when there is genuine revival, when people turn back to God and away from the idols of sensuality and lust. Throughout history to this point, America has been the one country most likely to “call her walls Salvation and her gates Praise,” because of the Biblical basis for the constitution (formulated shortly after the massive revival that has been named The Great Awakening). As recently as the 20th Century, Congress voted to add the words, “under God,” to the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. However today, any mention of God in the public square produces instant protests from a vocal minority who are committed to tearing America away from her roots. As a result, violence of all sorts is increasingly the order of the day, with the fundamental violence of the sacrifice of millions of pre-born infants on the altar of self-centered convenience and sensuality. There is uproar today over some incidents of “showcase” violence, but until there is repentance of the idolatry, the degradation of society as a whole isn’t going to stop. Several people have pointed out that the “showcase” violence, though tragic, is a drop in the bucket, or less, compared to the extreme violence against the pre-born. It is important to realize that “calling your walls Salvation” means recognizing that God is your ultimate protection. God is more than able to protect America, but America must be committed to God as a nation, in all humility, for that to be fully operative. “Calling your gates Praise” would indicate that the method of entry is to worship God. Such a nation would really be worth living in!

Like for many others, the slide in American morality “snuck up on me” over the years, and it wasn’t until the current political administration that it hit me between the eyes. That’s probably why the Lord allowed the events of the past few years, to wake people up! I need to repent, that is, follow through with change, over my prayerlessness over the issue and my silent complicity with the immorality. I am to be faithful in prayer and careful of my actions, not supporting the schemes of the devil by pandering to my own flesh. If every genuine believer in America would stop watching TV and movies that glorify immorality, for example, the industry would get the message! If every genuine believer would make the effort to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, the teen pregnancy rate would drop drastically, along with the abortion rate. Each individual’s sphere of action is limited, but we are to be faithful within that sphere. Only then will we see the revival, the societal change, that is so desperately needed.

Father, thank You for how You have used current events to wake me up. I pray that more and more of Your children would likewise wake up, committing themselves to You in truth, so that Your will may be done in and through us, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!