Today while I was walking, I noticed something that I hadn’t noticed before. In the picture above you’ll see barbed wire around a tree trunk. But do you notice what’s happened? The wire has been around it for so long that as the tree grew it began to grow around the wire. Now this foreign object is seemingly becoming a part of the tree. In actuality though, we know the tree would have relief if the wire was cut off and discarded, because eventually this wire will do major damage. If the wire was removed then the trunk could grow and repair itself.
When I saw this today, I immediately thought of America. In much the same way, we have had some very unamerican ideology that has been choking our country, much like this barbed wire, for many years. It has been happening so long, in fact, that some believe it to be truth. They are trading the truth of America and our American ways for a lie. That thought process has wrapped so firmly around us that it too seems to just be a part of us now, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
Were we to return to our original foundation and Biblical principles, that “barbed wire” would be cut back more and more until finally we were totally released from it. Don’t believe that it can be removed? Let’s look at Ninevah…
If you open your Bible and read the whole story of Jonah, you’ll discover the entire reason that he ended up in that big fish was because God wanted him to go prophecy in Ninevah, so that they would change their ways. If you will remember, when Jonah finally goes, he is SHOCKED that the king takes God’s warning and does make major changes in the city. They became a city devoted to God. Jonah wouldn’t be satisfied though, because he thought the city should still be punished, but that’s not what God wanted.
America is in the same type of situation. Many have been sent out to proclaim God’s truth and to share the good news, but in the same breath they condemn America as if she can’t be saved. There’s such hypocrisy in this way of thinking.
Is anyone beyond saving? Is any country beyond radical transformation by God?
If we’re honest, we would answer, “No.” It’s the pride in man’s heart that would say it’s beyond repair. Many would have said I was beyond repair when God lifted me from the muck and mire. Let’s not forget where we came from.
It’s time to stand up and proclaim the good news in our streets and pray in that same regard. God CAN save America. He can radically transform our country. He is NOT finished yet.
Prayer Moment: God, forgive me for every idle word I’ve spoken against America. Right now, I sever, break and destroy all those word curses in Jesus’ name. I release a word of hope and salvation across America from sea to shining sea. Let Your word pierce our hearts and transform this nation. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened. Jonah 3:10
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects his bones, not one of them will be broken. Psalm 34:19-20
365 Days in the Presence 