WAITING FOR A CALL-- Devotional for March 5, from "Good Seeds"

If I bring judgment upon the land, and my people respond by humbling themselves, and praying, and seeking My presence and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there for them: I’ll hear their prayers, forgive their sins and restore their countryside – and country – to robust health once again. In the meantime, I stand alert, listening, awaiting their call.
(II Chronicles 7:13-15 TM & SM)

This day in the year 2009 is especially significant for the citizens of California, the U.S.A. and the world. Today the state supreme court will hear arguments regarding the overturning of a proposition recently mandated by a strong majority of Californians which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Some opposed to this bill are comparing those who support it to German citizens who voted in the Nazi Regime! The deadline for the court’s decision is 90 days from today, at which time we will know the moral course that will be taken, not just by one state, but by our nation, and the entire world, for indeed our country tends to follow the lead of its most populous and powerful state and, for good or ill (in the past it’s always been good), the world tends to emulate the policies and values of America. At this writing Americans are feeling the strain and stress brought on by 1) a broken economy, 2) an enemy-making foreign policy, and 3) fear that we are taxing our natural resources to the breaking point, and that maybe sooner than later we will run out, and the world will run down. These are no more than elements of judgment from on high, reminders that things aren’t right – and we humans are at fault. But all is not lost, the situation is not entirely desperate, for the Bible says there is something we can do about it, to fix it. Notice unbelievers have no part in the solution – this is a mandate for God’s people! Our land is being judged, and Christian and non-Christian alike feel the blows. What should we do? First, we examine our hearts: no more pride, no more defensiveness, no more laying blame. No, we humble ourselves before God, we pray like we’ve never prayed before, we get down, get low – on our faces – before His presence. But it must not be the saccharine, sentimental worship so common in our churches today, but rather a worship replete with repentance, for our sins of omission – ignoring God, and sins of commission – replacing God with our pet projects and delights. And when we do these things – and only then – we can with confidence expect God to be there, awaiting our sincere call, restoration and blessing in His hands…for ourselves, our nation, and our world.