2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

From around 1980 this verse was greatly promoted, particularly by Rock Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Sadly, the impact of that movement seems to have been small. We tend to be quick to recognize societal sins, but fail to understand how we have contributed to them. After all, we’re just one person, so our sins are insignificant. What foolishness! Society is made up of individuals, and each one has an impact, however small that might seem. In particular, we sin by our silence, failing to call out sins for what they are. Lyndon Johnson, even before he was president, promulgated a rule that threatened churches with losing their tax-exempt status if they spoke out on political subjects, and in no time, most moral subjects became political! Thankfully, that particular rule has been largely eliminated, but now the devil’s allies are quick to call anyone who stands up for morality “intolerant,” “racist,” and any other insult they can come up with. The devil has a particular dislike for the US precisely because it was founded on Biblical principles. Her leaders – those who know the Lord – must take this verse to heart, submit themselves to the Lord, and resist the devil. (James 4:7) It seems incredible that relatively open communist politicians are in the ascendant, seemingly, but the only real answer is for at least a majority of the population to stand boldly in submission to God. Of course, leaders need to lead the way. That’s what leadership is all about! That’s not just politicians, though it certainly includes them. It is also leaders in commerce, manufacturing, and yes, the Church. America is certainly diseased at this point, but as overseas World Cup fans are discovering, it still has a lot of good to it. Those who know God need to stand up and live out their faith.

This all seems at something of a remove from me, since I haven’t lived in the US for over 45 years, but I am a very interested observer. That said, I am to be an influence for righteousness right here in Japan. Every Christian is a leader to some degree, and as a pastor, and having been a teacher for 42 years, that certainly applies to me. I am to speak the truth in love at all times, even when that risks losing friends. I was deeply saddened by a Facebook post recently in which someone I care about paraded his homosexuality, in a way that disgusted me. I am not to offend needlessly, but neither am I to remain silent when someone lives in denial of their profession of faith in Christ. Civic morality starts with the individual, and that includes me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. With America having its 250^th birthday, much attention is going to it. May that attention cause Your children to wake up to their own responsibility for society as a whole, so that there may be genuine repentance and healing, just as this verse talks about, for the blessing of the world and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!