The attack on the WTC in NY on September 11... has forever changed America. We are all still in a state of horror and shock, but in the weeks and months ahead we shall begin to experience how the freedom's we have so taken for granted all of our lives will be changed.
We need to understand that God is in control of all things, and the importance of our being in right standing with God at all times. Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. This may be a foreign concept to many who call themselves 'Christian' in this country. It is unfortunately true, however, that persecution and suffering is the only way to get many people's attention. When things become difficult... is for many the only time they turn their attention towards God. Just as the children of Israel experienced God's deliverance from the servitude of Pharaoh... they still had to learn to walk in obedience to God's commandments to them. God has a purpose in all that He does. God's chosen people walked in rebellion, despite the great miracles they witnessed.
For forty years God tried their hearts in the wilderness... and at the end of that time... only Joshua and Caleb along with the new generation actually entered into the promised land. Because they repeatedly hardened their hearts and refused to walk in obedience... those that were called to enter in all died in the wilderness, never obtaining God's promise.
What is our excuse going to be? Are you aware... that we have the same responsibility to obey God today? God is in control. We always have a choice... we can rail at God... or we can humble our hearts before Him, and come into right relationship with Him.
Exodus 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or not. We need to take notice... the 'thou shalt not's' are just as important as the 'thou shalt's.'
This world is a proving ground. We will all be tested and tried, to see if we will follow God, or not. The attack on America this past week has shaken this country to its core. No longer do we consider ourselves immune from the hatred others feel toward America. No longer do we feel save and secure in this country. The violence that has long been ravaging other countries around the globe has struck here... we now know what if feels like to be a victim. This should be a wake-up call to all of America. And more specifically, to all believers. The call has been going forth to prepare our hearts for a long time. Some have heeded the call... the majority have not. This is not the end, but the beginning of sorrows. We are now a nation at war, against an unknown enemy. We should redeem the time; heed the warning; and turn to God with our whole heart.
In HIM, and in HIM ALONE is the safety we seek. There is nothing of greater importance than our relationship with God. Know that we all need to examine where we have placed our trust and confidence. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Galatians 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Our relationship is a personal, one on one thing. It is between us and the LORD. Not us and our Church, or our Denomination, or our loved ones, or our Pastor or leader... but between us and our Creator. Be aware, that believing in something broadly, as in 'God so loved the world that He gave Himself for it,' and believing in God with all your heart are two different things. Walking in obedience to that which God reveals to you directly, and walking in what appears good to our carnal reasoning are also two different things. One is general, an exercising of our carnal appreciation for the difference between right and wrong, while the other is tapping into a far deeper level of consecrated committment. The world is full of 'good hearted' people that are headed straight for hell. If we are not walking in a relationship... being led by the Spirit of God, we won't know the difference.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
From the accounts we are seeing on the national and world news, a line is being drawn. Either you are for us or you are against us. There is No Neutrality. This is being set before the other Nations of the world, in relation to the U.S. and our allies in this war against terrorism.
God is calling out to man. Now is the time to respond. A separation is being made between those who will serve HIM, and those who are play-actors. Just as this is a serious time for this nation, it is also a serious time for all who call themselves Christian.
Malachi 3:16-18 Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Be not deceived, these are the last days. We are most capable of deceiving ourselves, of deceiving others, but we cannot deceive God. He sees and knows the very thoughts and intents of our hearts. Today we are in desperate need of an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Today we are in desperate need of spiritual discernment. Only the quickening of the Holy Spirit can reveal that which is of God from that which is false. Men's hearts will fail them for fear, at the troubles which are coming upon the world. God has not changed. All down through the ages, with each successive generation, He has called out to man. Will we be counted among those that serve Him, or those that refuse Him? Where we stand to be counted makes all the difference in how we will survive the troubles all around us.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. We are not to keep our eye on the troubles that surround us... but on JESUS. We are not to walk in fear and confusion... but in power, love and a sound mind. There is a price for following Christ.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. This is not something to fear...
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
This is why we are in such an urgent need of a personal relationship with God. We should not be surprised as we begin to walk in close relationship with Christ, when we are cast out from among the company of some who also claim to be followers. Jesus said in Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. It is pretty shocking the first time it happens. But as we persevere and draw nearer to God, we also grow stronger and more bold... till we no longer fear what man may think or do... our aim is to be obedient to the Father.
Now is the time of testing. Now is the time to get your house in order. Now is the time to decide who you will serve. We all will be proved. America is no longer exempt. Our lives will change just as much as those in other lands have experienced. This is not the time to give in to fear and suspicion, but to willingly let go of all that we possess, that we might come to the place of "Not my will, but Thine be done." May we all say as David did in Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
