Pastor Robert Miller
 

     July 4th, Independence Day for this country, will be celebrated this month.  I feel that this year will be a special year for celebrating due to the tragedy of September 11 and the continuing war that we find ourselves engaged in.  As we look back over the past year however, we should concentrate on the blessings that the Lord has brought forth out of a great time of sorrow.  I believe this country is stronger than ever and more people are showing their pride in being an American.  We have pulled together during a time that could make or break us.  We have been blessed with a President that has risen to the occasion, shown himself to be a leader and is a Christian.  I believe he is in office because the Lord knew we would need a strong leader and someone who would not be afraid to make decisions that needed to be made regardless of political wrangling.  I know our military has been blessed throughout this time of war.  While we have suffered losses, there have not been many.  Even though each death is painful, there are many miracles that have taken place.  The stories that have come forth from September 11 of Christians being protected by their Lord are truly awesome.  We know that the tragedy of that day was not a surprise for the Lord.

      We, as Christians, have a divine opportunity during this time to do what the Word tells us to do.  In I Timothy 2:1-2 we find a verse that is well known to most Christians.  "Therefore I exhort (encourage) first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence (dignity)."  Our country is under attack in a way it has never experienced before.  The best path through it must be found.  I believe that it will take the church praying to bring the knowledge needed to see us through.  Our President has asked very specifically for prayer that the country would be protected.  The Lord has put on our hearts here at church to pray that our President would know things to come.  Plans of the enemy must be known in advance to stop the evil deeds.  Already we are hearing of plans found out and stopped before they had a chance to be carried out.  

     In Proverbs 21:1 we read, "The king's (or President's) heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes."  Having a President who seeks the Lord during this time is a blessing.  Let's support him in his endeavors.  We also must pray for godly counsel from those men who surround our President.  Every person in authority must be prayed for.  We don't want "politics as usual" to overshadow what the Lord has for us to do and to be.  Only a church seeking their God can benefit our country during this time of terrorist activity.

     Our country has a part to play in these end times and only prayer will make it known.  There are those in the body of Christ who believe that Isaiah 18:1-2, 7, refers to this country.  These verses refer to "a nation tall and smooth of skin, to a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide."  God has had a purpose for our land from the beginning and we have not seen it all come to pass.  The many miracles that birthed our country in many ways remind me of the miracles that continually take place in Israel during wartime.  Divine intervention, knowing the plans of the enemy, divine protection against all odds—these are not seen by everyone as God being on their side, but to me you have to be blind not to realize God is with us and Israel.  

     During our 4th of July celebrations this year let's take time to seek God's face for our country.  Remember the admonition in II Chron. 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 will forgive their sin and heal their land."  This country is not perfect.  We have laws that support an ungodly lifestyle and murder unborn children, but we are still called to be God's voice to a dying world with a purpose to be fulfilled.  Let's join together and pray that the purpose will be fulfilled and God will protect our land.