As I listened to the returns coming in last night, I had a great sadness in my heart. Yes, there were some bright spots. The marriage amendments passed. Some good people were elected. The Senate did not get the 60 needed to control completely. But there was a deep foreboding as well. Have we as a nation so offended God that He has determined a fierce judgment upon us? My spirit says, "yes".
I now can imagine how Jeremiah must have felt as he saw with his own eyes the Babylonians sweeping into his beloved city, taking innocent lives, smashing the babies' heads against the walls, looting and destroying whatever they chose. He had warned of its inevitability, yet I am certain that he was in great distress at the same time.
But the LORD had given what was now required:
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Jeremiah 29:4-14 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD. For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
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Now what?
It is now our responsibility, fellow believers, to faithfully serve our LORD and obediently carry out the duties He has assigned us. We are now likewise instructed:
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1 Timothy 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
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It is a time for repentance by the Church of God, that He will yet raise up a righteous people, worthy of His Name.