Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (Proverbs 14:34 NLT) We cannot underestimate the power of a government that is guided by the direction of the Word of God and a vital understanding of intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. Whenever a nation veered from that intended relationship with God the Father, judgment was sure to follow. We need only look at what happened to the Israelites as they set about to both find their promised land after leaving Egypt and then what happened when they became comfortable or complacent once they were settled there. The division of the tribes into Judah and Israel, incorporating the worship of false gods, and then their subsequent captivity by various rulers wasn't God's intention, but it was the consequence of their losing their attentiveness toward God. Godliness makes a nation great. We are reminded, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and ...
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16 NLT) Those who 'shelter' under his wings will be assured of not only protection, but rescue when they need it. Protection is remaining out of trouble - rescue is needed when we pursue trouble or find it pursuing us! We might not realize just how often we pursue trouble, blindly just going in the wrong direction, trusting our 'instincts' or 'intuition' instead of our God's inner voice warning us not to pursue that course. There we are - "IN TROUBLE" - and here he comes - into our trouble, to rescue and hold secure once again. How many times do we have to be 'in trouble' before we realize that it isn't the right place for us to be? If you are anything like me, you have...