Time to Decide

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV).

Our Nation is at a crossroads.

We face a decision that is far more critical than simply choosing between capitalism and socialism, conservative or progressive, Republican or Democrat. Right now, we stand at the junction between survival and desolation. God has put the ball in our court, so to speak. We have the power to choose whether we will be the recipients of His continued benevolence or whether we will feel the wrath of His judgment. Our collective decision hinges on a single issue; obedience or continued rebellion.

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known” (Deuteronomy 11:26–28 ESV).

But, let me be clear. It is not for the United States of America to repent.

A government can neither rebel nor repent. Real estate set apart by geographic boundaries does not have a heart, a mind, or a conscience. When we call upon any nation to repent, we are calling upon those men and women who live within those borders to repent. We cannot hide in the bushes and point the finger of blame toward the holders of public office. There is an appeal to those who hold offices within that government to repent of their personal and corporate sins, and having repented, to show the fruit of their repentance by enacting legislation in keeping with the laws of God. However, we must remember that ours is a representative government and those who inhabit the halls of government represent the hearts of the population who seated them there.

As they laid the foundations for the nation, our founders entered into covenants with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In his inaugural address our first President, George Washington, spoke these powerful words:

“Since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained: And since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”

Washington could not have been clearer: No nation should expect the blessings of God should the people of that nation turn away from Him and reject His eternal rules of order and right. The nation that turns away from God will surely lose the blessings He has bestowed upon her.

Upon taking the oath of office, Washington became the federal head of the United States of America, and as such he entered into a covenant with God. This covenant was not made with some “higher power” or an unknowable theistic force of the universe. He entered into a covenant with the God of the Bible—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Washington entered into a covenant on behalf of the nation that America would follow God. That covenant, made with the agreement of the Congress, stipulated that should America turn from God America would lose His favor and blessings. Washington was sure God would keep His promise. God always keeps His promises. The greater issue is this: Would America honor the covenant as well?

America has not kept the covenant, and as a result the American people have forfeited the blessings of that covenant. One piece of shocking evidence of this forfeiture was delivered to our shores early on the morning of September 11, 2001, when for the first time since the War of 1812, America was successfully attacked by the enemies from which God had so long protected her.

Politicians in Washington, as well as at state and local levels, are edging the nation further and further away from that covenant. We have not simply forgotten God; we have tried to kick God out of office. We have foolishly, even wickedly, thought we could impeach God, and America is paying the price of that disastrous delusion. Despite every malicious attempt to marginalize godly influence, God is still on the Throne of the Universe. And despite our prideful national confidence, we cannot sustain our nation apart from the favor and protection of God.

Josiah became king over Israel at the tender age of eight years old after his father had been assassinated in 604 B.C. He reigned for 34 years and was instrumental in bringing the people of Israel to a renewed relationship with God. He was responsible for closing down pagan worship sites and practices and restoring Davidic worship to the temple. My friend John Goyette says in his book, The Power of Return, that every spiritual renewal in Biblical history is marked by the rise of strong, godly leadership.

There is open warfare in Washington right now. We can see the political warfare, but most are not aware of the warfare in the shadows, in the spiritual, unseen realm. It is not a warfare between Republicans and Democrats—it is a war waged with powers and principalities, spiritual wickedness in high places. It is a warfare for the soul of America, and it troubles me that so many within the church are convinced that this warfare can be won in the political arena. It cannot be won through elections and legislation. This war must be won on our knees using spiritual, not carnal, weapons of warfare.

We need a strong, godly leader who walks in the anointing of God, who is fearless before the enemies of God, and who will set his face like a flint to the restoration of America to the covenants of God established by our founders. This type of leader cannot be simply be elected; he must be raised up by the Hand of God Himself. This one will come only through much prayer and fasting.