Written by Pastor Calvin Lindstrom

To any discerning Christian it should be obvious that we have serious problems in our nation – morally, culturally, politically, and financially.

There are no simple or quick solutions.

While it is wonderful to see Franklin Graham and others call for gatherings of prayer, our problems are not going to be resolved by going to a massive prayer meeting or revival meeting.

We are under heavy judgment. Many in our land struggle to see it, because they don’t feel it directly. This may also be true in part because God still has been very gracious to the United States. We have not experienced the judgment that other nations in the 20th century have experienced. I am very thankful for this. However, in part because we have not tasted incredible suffering, we are still very soft. There are some Christians in our nation who have come from other countries where there is great suffering for the faith, and increasingly there are Christians who are learning this in our own nation; but for the most part we have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin (Heb. 12:4).

When the prophet Habakkuk realized the judgment that Judah was going to receive, he was initially not able to understand how God was going to punish his wicked people with an even more wicked nation.

You are of purer eyes than to behold evil,
And cannot look on wickedness.
Why do You look on those who deal treacherously,
And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours
A person more righteous than he?  ~Habakkuk 1:13

One of the answers that the LORD gave to Habakkuk who wrestled with these difficult issues is found in the next chapter.

Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith. ~Habakkuk 2:4

This is not an easy, quick solution to all of our problems. It is something much greater – it is the way of life that must be embraced in the face of judgment.

Friends, there are no easy solutions, and our trials may well deepen in the days ahead, but this does not mean that we do nothing or that we just roll over and pretend that we are dead. As we have already noted from Habakkuk 2, the just shall live by faith. The just shall continue to devote themselves to prayer (Rom. 12:12). The just must look for ways to speak and share God’s truth. The just will continue to commit themselves unto God unto whom vengeance belongs, seeking to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:19, 21).

As I stated earlier, a prayer meeting or 40 days of prayer are not the silver-bullet solutions that will remedy all our ills. But I would encourage you to at least set apart the first Tuesday of every month to devote as much time as possible to prayer and even fasting as the Lord would lead and allow. Seek God’s face, not merely out of obligation, but as a testimony that we live by faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Will you join with me and others in the great work of intercessory prayer?

And since, if we are honest, we know how weak we can be in prayer, will you not join me in renewing your dedication to the reading and studying of the Word of God? We desperately need to often be renewed or revived in God’s truth if we are going to live a life of faith. (Psalm 119:25, 107, 154)

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations,
forever and ever.  Amen. ~Ephesians 3:20-21

Rev. Lindstrom is Pastor of the Church of Christian Liberty of Arlington Heights, and the executive director of the Christian Emergency League. He and his wife are currently homeschooling their four children. He has a great passion for Christian education at home and in Christian schools.