Help Us, O God, For You Alone Are Our Hope!
By Bruce Cannon
Mitchell County
As I write this article there are so many things America is grappling with…issues that must be decided biblically or we will be carried further and further away from God. All of these issues need to be prayed over by those who understand that the Lord is the only One that can lead us through them and that His will and His ways must be followed! Check out a few of the ones most pressing on my heart:
*The Supreme Court is grappling with what to do with Roe vs. Wade. We all know what should be done. It should be overturned. Sixty-plus million babies have been aborted and this current Court has the votes to be able to do so. Yet, they are hesitating in announcing a decision. Why? Because of the fear of reprisal. Already justices have been threatened. If they do what is right (overturning the law) it is predicted there will be mass rioting all across America. If they overturn, they will be in danger of personal attacks upon themselves or their family. They are in a very difficult position! We must pray for them!
*The economy is in shambles. Inflation currently is at a 40-year high. Gas prices are terrible. Food costs have gone up considerably. Seniors and others on a fixed or limited income are having to decide what to cut out: medicine, food, bills owed, etc. How we need the Lord’s help on this issue!
*This week we took a huge step away from the Lord and His will by reopening a Palestinian embassy in Jerusalem. The previous administration closed it and by doing so recognized, as the Bible teaches, that Jerusalem and Israel belong to the Jews, not the Palestinians. God honors those who honor His chosen people: the Jews, not the Palestinians.
*The NC Senate voted overwhelmingly this week to allow medicinal marijuana as a legal inhaled drug in North Carolina. Even some of the more liberal thinkers believe this is a huge mistake as it will lead to the recreational sale of marijuana here as it has done so in so many states and too much greater addiction. How sad!
*The shortage of workers in 2022 is leading to a further lessening of the production of desperately needed goods. Raw materials needed for food production, the building industry, and other very important services are not being produced simply because of a shortage of workers. This also is further hurting the economy because we are still giving out stimulus checks, to those who could be and should be working, when we do not have the funds to do so. The lessening of the labor force is also causing decreased federal, state, and social security taxes to be paid which also further hurts our economy.
Who can lead us out of this “darkness” into the light? Only the Lord! And, He can! He can help us if we will seek Him. He will provide for us if we will turn to Him. While I don’t see Washington doing that you and I can. We can stand in the gap and beg the Lord for His mercy. This verse has been used so many times but it is still very relevant: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14). He will hear and He will heal if we will humble ourselves.
On this, another birthday of our Nation, pray. Encourage others to do so. Seek His Face. He is our hope. Claim His promises. Be at peace as much as possible as you understand that no matter what, He will help those who call upon Him. He will be found by those who seek Him with all their heart! Amen!
______________________________________
Reverend Bruce Cannon currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church in Bakersville. Formerly he served as Director of Missions for the Bladen Baptist Association and he has served on the General Board of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
You can read more Good Christian News from Pastor Cannon HERE.
______________________________________