Where to look…who to trust…what to believe…why care? These are understandable questions anyone could ask right now in this political and cultural climate. One moment we think we can trust and believe in someone or something, and before we know it, we’re disappointed. It’s quite possible this dilemma is being felt by everyone in our country, but who knows if this might not be exactly where our country needs to be feeling right now. Don’t get me wrong, I believe who we vote for is critical and that what cultural values are nonnegotiable is a must-have conversation, but ultimately we must believe that the only One who can help us now is Jesus. Our nation needs an awakening to its need to come back to the roots of its Christian faith and values. We need an outpouring of God’s Spirit that awakens the recognition of this nation to personal responsibility to God and salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. Could such a thing happen? Dare we pray for it?
Jesus taught us of the power of the Holy Spirit, the Helper. He taught us the following about God’s Spirit, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.” (John 16:7-12). The Holy Spirit can fall on any person’s mind and heart and convict them that they have sinned, that Jesus is the righteousness that God has provided, and that God will judge all things in the world. Jesus said that until conviction of the Holy Spirit happens, know one can even believe in Him. But once it happens, God can call any person to Himself with an irresistible call. We must not forget that God had the power to blind Paul, knock him off his horse, speak to him from heaven, and place a call and demand on his life. This understanding falls in line with other Scripture. The Word of God teaches us that God can divert the intentions and plans even in a king’s heart, and He can do it as easily as a man diverts a stream. The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. (Proverbs 21:1)
No matter who’s in power, who’s elected, or who’s driving the system, it is all within God’s providential power to change the course of men and answer the prayers of His people. Such faith gives us answers to the where, who, what, and why questions that can often cross or mind.