Our nation seems to go from one era of catastrophe and civil issue to another. We have endured tragic events such as 9/11 and the Boston terrorist attacks. We have suffered through a myriad of mass shootings and perpetual periods of civil unrest. What must the rest of the world think, as they look on? We all have to wonder, “When will things change?” “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.

We are in unsettling times. Having gone from being in the throws of a pandemic and quarantine, then moving into a time of people rioting in the streets!

Men (and women) riot in our streets! And fear grips our nation… yet again.

We fear the differences between us. We fear the things that we don’t know about each other.

Mankind has been around for many millennia and yet fear continues to run rampant in this country and the world. It is a large part of the current civil unrest and riots that we are experiencing.

We fear what one man will do to another and we fear that there will be no justice. We fear that one race will harm another. That there will be no brotherly love, but that hatred will direct our actions toward each other.

I have some very sobering news. Man (apart from God) is incapable of justice.

More sobering news. Man (apart from God) is incapable of love.

We cannot love apart from God because He is love. We cannot know or mete out justice without God because He is the creator of justice.

Jesus summed up the answer to all the issues that this country faces in Matthew 22:37. In the previous verse (Matthew 22:36), Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest. His reply is in Matthew 37-39. “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

When we love the Lord with all our heart soul and minds, He is our first priority. Pleasing and honoring Him becomes paramount. When that is our goal and Christ is Lord of our lives, we will love our neighbor as ourselves.

There is no fear in what someone will do to us if they are loving us as they love themselves. There is no need for justice when we are moving and acting in selfless love toward one another.

We will not see or experience true justice or righteousness until Jesus returns. “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” 2 Peter 3:13.

However, if we are living out the two greatest commandments, there will be a lot less conflict.

And, let’s not forget that if we (as a nation) repent and pray, God would hear from Heaven, forgive us, and heal our land. “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.

We ask, “When Will Things Change?” Change starts with us. If we will love more and aspire to be more like Christ, the change will begin to take place.

Until the hearts of men are repentant and turned back to God, change will be just out of humanity’s reach.

Father, forgive our selfishness. Forgive our pride. Forgive the way that we harm one another and dishonor You with our actions and our speech. Lord, bring about a revival in this country, the likes of which the world has never seen, please. Glorify Yourself to the world by the humbling and repentance of Your people Father. Holy Spirit, help us to love one another with a supernatural love. Father, let us see one another through Your eyes and love one another the way that You love us… sacrificially.

Also, Father, we thank You that our spiritual brother, George Floyd, is in glory with You right now. We pray that You would pour Yourself out on his family, who are left behind, Father. Fill them with Your peace and comfort. We pray that they would be a powerful testimony to Your forgiveness, peace, and love. Let Your church overwhelm them with a supernatural outpouring of love, Father. And Father, change the hearts of men and begin with me. Make me more like you, Jesus!

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, please pray the prayer that is outlined on our life preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). God wants to forgive you. He wants to give you hope and peace. He wants the change to begin… in you. Please pray. And, once you have, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I’d love to be in prayer for you and help you learn to walk out your faith.

Luv Ya!