Joshua

Being a follower often entails the difficult task of subordinating personal opinions to the directions of the guide.

Many a Christmas Eve I learned anew how important instructions from the creator of a complex multi-pieced gift can be. Usually after a false start or two, I’d break out the directions written to help me complete the task.

How You must laugh at my futile efforts to get life right without a map and an experienced guide. But this aptly describes America today, we need a guide to get it right.

Unfortunately, I and too many of Your followers often decide to begin our spiritual efforts without consulting the directions first.

We’ve been given directions and a master guide. Will we follow?

America is lost if Your followers don’t follow.

AMEN

Scripture: “Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. Joshua 1:7

You created America as a beacon of light for billions of people around the world trapped in desperation without hope for a better future. You endowed her with men and women of sacrificial courage who spent their blood and their riches across the globe to free others from tyranny.

We’re not perfect, led by fallen men and women…but committed to being better tomorrow than we were yesterday…and You were our God. No true today…Oh, there’s still a remnant willing to sacrifice for the common good…willing to accept personal accountability…not seeking a scapegoat for failures. But, I fear America is no longer brave enough to be free.

You alone can restore the morality, character, and selfless courage required for freedom. Turn our hearts back to You. May I be found among the remnant.

AMEN

Scripture: “Make sure you are very strong and brave! Carefully obey all the law my servant Moses charged you to keep! Do not swerve from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successful in all you do.” Joshua 1:7

I am never alone, You are my savior and best friend.

Clearly, many people who turn to You in an emergency barely know You, if at all. But with a life and death crisis beyond their control…they turn to You to plead for help. We treat You like a nitroglycerin tablet…stored up in a handy place for use in case of heart pain…otherwise, the bottle gathers dust on a shelf out of the way (like the family Bible). Too often I have treated You like an after-thought. Forgive me for not making You the center of my everyday life.

Help Your children refocus our priorities…America has no hope unless You become the center of our families again. With You on the sidelines we are without hope or a future.

AMEN

Scripture: “Study this Book of the law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8

America is recreating ancient history.  We have acted corruptly against You, not keeping the commandments You gave Moses.

Like Israel of old, we’ve ignored the God of our fathers.  We are “One nation under God” in name only.  I fear we have removed ourselves from Your blessing. Nehemiah’s observation of Jerusalem could be directed toward America today, “the (people) are in great distress…the wall is broken down and  the gates are burned with fire.” We have treated You and Your Son with disrespect.

We need to fast and pray and seek Your face.  You are the great and awesome God who keeps His word.  Your loving kindness is legendary. Forgive us and heal our land so that we might again become “One Nation Under God”.  Use me, Lord.

AMEN

Scripture: “…be careful to do according to all the law which Moses commanded you…so that you may have success wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7