Amos 5:24 But let justice roll on like a river,
    righteousness like a never-failing stream!

This verse has been appropriately quoted by such crusaders as Martin Luther King. It is the climax of the judgment on the Northern Kingdom, that shortly after this was carried into exile in Assyria. It is striking to me that the Northern Kingdom had gone heavily into idolatry, but what the Lord is speaking to most strongly here is how people are treating each other. It has rightly been said that politics is downstream from culture, but I’m coming to the conclusion that culture is downstream from faith. If you don’t start with an awareness of the reality that we are created beings, as well as have at least a moderately accurate conception of what the Creator is like, then society itself will be badly distorted. American culture went off the rails only after prayer and the Bible were banned from public schools. From there it was a simple progression to the widespread distortion of biology, the destruction of the family, and disdain for life itself. Right now we are seeing a backlash from all of that, a pendulum swing, if you will, but unless there is reformation in the churches, a genuine revival, any changes will be no more than cosmetic. America has been an exceptional nation for the past 250 years, flaws and all, but as the Founding Fathers recognized, it will survive only by the grace of God. Right now we see almost unimaginable corruption in our institutions, but before we go accusing the institutions, we need to examine our own hearts. We are about to get a “flash flood” of justice, and there will be a lot of turmoil, but it must be founded on an unceasing stream of righteousness that comes from the Fear of the Lord. Those who know God have a lot to pray about in these days!

Living in Japan I have been somewhat insulated from the cultural rot, but I can’t say it hasn’t touched me. The Internet is pervasive! I am a very interested observer, at any rate, and prayer knows no geographic boundaries. I am to commit to a life of justice and righteousness myself, and pray earnestly for those in the middle of the fight. Right now people are being chosen for important positions, and there will be a lot of resistance to some of them, precisely because they will be champions for justice. Those who are scared of what they deserve will fight with all they have! I am to pray for God’s justice to be established and lift up those in the middle of the conflict, and I can do that as easily from Japan as from somewhere in the US. God is doing some very interesting things, and I am to trust Him and cooperate however He directs, for His glory.

Father, thank You for Your mercy on the US. Many are deceived and confused, some horribly so. I pray that Your truth would prevail in every circumstance so that people’s eyes would be opened and they be set free to love and serve You, rather than their flesh or the devil, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!