In these articles, I try to bring a biblical perspective and also point to solutions to the situation I see developing in our country.   One thing, it seems to me, is that political leaders are not bringing many good solutions.  I see our nation slowly disintegrating.  There are some good men and women in the political realm who are trying to bring solutions but find the country so bogged down in a political quagmire that they basically are forced to go along with the status quo.  We have very few real leaders today.  The ones that really try to exert effort for the good of the country get quickly silenced or are forced out.  It seems there is another force that is actually running our country.  I really believe we are witnessing powers greater than our politician’s powers brokering and pushing our nation down a road that is not going to end well.  Two thousand years ago the following was written to explain how the power of evil works to influence communities, a nation or churches:  

Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Canada is beginning to show signs of reaping what it has sowed over the last couple of generations.  I really believe we are living in a time referred to in the Bible as the end of the “times of the Gentiles.”  As this age comes to a climax, we see not only our own nation but nations around the world going through great stress and trouble. Our Lord spoke of the condition that would be evident at such a time as this.  The signs in the sun, moon and stars are still to come. All of this is a prelude to the 7- year tribulation.

Luke 21:25: And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.

The following is from a pastor in the United States, Bill Elliff from Little Rock, Arkansas: 

“It is a tragic thing to watch a nation digress. The youngest of those who live in our nation today cannot possibly remember anything different.  But many of us can.  We remember a nation, not long ago where…

Every day in public school we began with prayer, asking God’s help and protection on our day. 

Political leaders disagreed, but they disagreed agreeably.  There was a level of civility that is now distant memory. 

The church had great respect from all levels of society and was making rapid advances. 

The things of God were not scoffed at, ridiculed, or mocked. 

Even non-believers understood the helpful role of spiritual life in the nation and in their communities. 

The immoralities that are common and defended today were not even mentioned. 

The needs of others were seen as more important than selfish needs.

Young people generally had a respect for all authorities.  

Those days were not perfect or even spiritual at times.  Those of us from that era have much to repent of…and there are many things that we see now that were terribly wrong.  But there was a general morality, based on Judeo/Christian truth.

There was much that contributed to the fall we have witnessed.  But it has eroded dramatically.  The last few years have seen this decline increase exponentially.

The next step in a nation is the lifting of God’s hand leading to the final step of anarchy that ensues when a nation forsakes God and everyone does what is right in his own eyes.

Nehemiah’s Example

Nehemiah watched a similar digression.  His people had disobeyed God and God had given them up to their enemies.  This was intended to bring them to the end of themselves and such desperation that they would return to Him.

Nehemiah realized the situation of his nation when he sought a report from his brother and others who had returned to Babylon from their hometown of Jerusalem.

“...I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.  They said to me, ‘The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.’ When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Neh. 1:1-4).

There are four responses we can make when we realize the walls are broken down and the gates are burned with fire.

    1. Gradual Assimilation.  If spiritual apathy exists, this will happen without knowing.  Like the frog in the proverbial kettle, we can gradually adjust our morals so that godlessness is part of our lifestyle and doesn’t really disturb us anymore.

    2.  Hopeless Resignation.  We can be disturbed, but just throw up our hands and offer no resistance.

    3.  Frantic Humanism.  We can rush around, vainly trying every human option to stem the tide of the enemy’s assault.  This can make a big noise, but in the end produce little substantive change.

    4.  Spiritual Repentance.  Nehemiah chose this response.  His appeal was to the God who is above the nations and rules over all.  He fasted and prayed and then immediately obeyed the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the directives of His Word. Read Nehemiah, Chapter 1 and understand the depth and perseverance of Nehemiah’s continual cry to God.  See his surrender – even at the risk of death – to lead in spiritual renewal.  In the end, his response led to one of the greatest nationwide revivals in the history of the world (see Nehemiah, Chapter 8-9).  Nehemiah knew that only God could stem the tide and reverse the decay.  Only God could mercifully forgive and return His glory to the land.  Only God.  Only God.

As you survey the land today, what do you suppose this is a time to do?

Father, forgive us, cleanse us, heal our land!  The walls are broken down and the gates are burned with fire.  Help us, like Nehemiah, to turn to the only One who can bring revival and spiritual awakening.  Create a humble, contrite heart in us that would respond in fasting, prayer, and repentant obedience.”

 – Used by permission.  Bill Elliff is the Sr. Teaching Pastor of The Summit Church in North Little Rock, AR, and also helps lead One Cry:  A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening. 

The content of this article is solely the personal opinions of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Prince Albert Shopper.