Lord, Change Us

    
    Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalms 20:7 (NIV)
    
    As we head into an election year in 2008, many people are beginning to become anxious. Never before in the history of our country have we been faced with so many moral, spiritual and political decisions as we are currently facing. As if the last two elections were not divisive enough, this one promises to split the country right down the center as friends and family dig deep into the moral fiber of their consciousness to vote on what is most important to them.
    
    It is not my intention to suggest to you whom you should vote for, but rather to ask you, What it is that is most important to you? Change is the banner theme of this election, and ultimately, we all would like a change for the better in our lives. We would like economic stability, health insurance, and safe and fair laws that protect and keep our families and us safe.
    
    Many tenuous issues are up for vote such as the legal right to acknowledge a same sex marriage, and the issue of abortion is still making its way to the ballet measures with respect to whether parents should be contacted when a child is contemplating terminating a life of an unborn baby. Additionally, partial birth abortions are being discussed and people are being asked to weigh in again as to whether it should be lawful.
    
    When we make our votes; when we cast our decisions; what will be the deciding factor of our choices. Will it be our desires of what we personally want? Will it be simply made because we have the choice and we want to keep that choice, whether it is morally right or wrong?
    
    In the beginning God wanted to have a theocracy, a government led by God Himself, and His laws and ways, but man wanted a ruler in the flesh to lead them (see 1 Samuel 8:18-22).
    
    God allowed mans request and man ruled harshly over the people, and imposed many things upon them that made for a harsh life. History reflects in the Books of 1st and 2nd Kings, the generations of those who implemented Gods ways, and how they flourished, and it also records the generations that turned from God, and His ways, and how they were oppressed, destroyed, and ruined. Each time went in the way of those basic choices of accepting Gods ways, or insisting on our own ungodly choices to live independent of Him.
    
    There has never been a successful separation of Church and State. God never intended it, and it is a recipe for disaster. So here we are in 2008, and what have we learned from history?
    
    Ultimately, we will be held accountable for our personal choices, and we will also be held accountable as a nation for our choices in the leaders that we vote for. We should ask and seek an answer as to where these potential leaders stand on Christian Biblical beliefs before giving them our endorsement. A quick look on past votes, actions and history of each candidate will reveal their true beliefs and willingness to lead our country in a direction that is in the perfect will of God. 
    
    It will be my hope and prayer that our nations leader will embrace the truth of Gods promise; that they will seek the mercy of Gods grace, and that they will seek the wisdom of Gods direction. It would be my hope and prayer that we vote for a leader who will lead this country in a spiritual revival, turning back to a Godly way of living; I would hope that just like Jeremiah did, that this leader would be strong enough to repent for what is taking place in our society with respects to the wickedness of both previous generations as well as this generations selfish desires to violate Gods commands.
    
    If we vote for a person who will not lead us out of this lifestyle, a person who endorses and implements laws that violate Gods decrees, then we will fall just like every other country that has taken this course. But if we, as Christians, repent, call out, and seek God as a country, then we stand a chance to be healed.
    
    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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
    
    Our economy is not our biggest concern, nor is our healthcare. Our biggest concern is seeking the will of God in every vote we cast, whether it is in the voting box, or in our everyday decision making with respects to living a Christian life. Vote wisely, this isnt about a political party; its about a battle of Good and evil. The enemy and his emissaries are attempting to vote out the Word of God in the name of an individuals right.
    
    You want Change? Good, because we all should want it. Consider voting for someone who loves the Lord, and who will seek Him for guidance. Then pray for that leader continually.
    
    
    STUDY QUESTION: Knowing the state of our country, with relation to Gods ways verses the way we have chosen to live, what should we be doing according to His Word as recorded in 2 Chronicles 7:14?
    
    PERSONAL INVENTORY: Its your choice to vote for the one who will lead our nation.
    
    
    APPLICATION: Pray before you choose