July 18, 2016

PRAYING FOR OUR TRUE NATION

Wisdom of Sirach 36:1-4 LXX

Have mercy on us, O Lord, the God of all, and look upon us,
And put Your fear on all the nations.
Raise Your hand against foreign nations
And let them see Your power.
As in us You have been sanctified before them,
So in them may You be made great before us.
Let them know You as we also have known You,
For there is no God but You, O Lord.

Personal Challenge

If we read this passage through the filter that we, God's children, are not citizens of the earthly kingdoms that we live in, but ambassadors of the kingdom of God, then we come away with a very interesting perspective. This passage does not say anything about God making this earthly kingdom great and godly. In other words, as Christians, we should not spend our time praying that God makes America a nation that is all Christian. We should be praying that He will raise up His people, His nation, where we live, and help us to be beacons of light of His love, mercy, grace, and salvation. This is how we bring people to Him. America is an earthly nation that will always be comprised of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, atheists, agnostics, pagans, and everything in between. We, as members of God's heavenly kingdom should live our lives so that those who do not know Him, want to know Him because of how we live our lives. Glory be to God!