Tornados have continued to pound our country. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so many. The destruction and loss of life is shocking. Flooding is a concern in some areas. Destruction is or will be left in the wake of the water.
Do you think it is all just a coincidence? Do you think we just happen to have more bad weather on top of the record-breaking snowstorms we’ve had over the last couple of years? Could it be more to it?
Has God lifted His hand of protection from the United States? Are we being chastened? I’m going to give you a little history today, and then you can be the judge.
According to the records at the Library of Congress – viewable online, the Continental Congress got together on September 5, 1774. They went through some preliminaries and decided to convene the next day. On September 6, 1774, they set up rules for the Congress. It was decided that on September 7, 1774 the Reverend Mr. Duché would open the Congress with prayer.
The footnote in the record is as follows:
Duché attended in full pontificals, read several prayers in the established form, the collect for the day (Psalm XXXV), and then “struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the bosom of every man present. I must confess I never heard a better prayer or one so well pronounced. * * * It has had an excellent effect upon everybody here.” John Adams to his wife, – September 1774. Joseph Reed thought the appointment and prayer a “masterly stroke of policy.” Ward recorded “one of the most sublime, catholic, well-adapted prayers I ever heard.”
Our country had many such moments in early Congress. If you study the records and documents, you will find that they were prayer warriors, and Bible studiers. Their faith in God got them through the years. They were all about God as they went forward.
Over the years our country has strayed. Consider what Joshua told Israel about straying.
And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.
Joshua 24:19-22
When Israel strayed they got punished. What do you think that means for us? Are you praying yet?
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to pray. Ask God to show you the truth about all this weather we are having. Pray for boldness to stand for what is right. Pray for boldness to take America back to where she belongs. Pray for revival. Understand that God is real, and He does chasten His children because He loves us.
Pray also for those around the world who are in the path of storms, earthquakes, floods, and tornados. Pray for God to give them peace and protection. Pray for them to draw closer to Him. Pray for the lost to come to the Lord.