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Are We to Give Up?

by Jerry Ousley  
7/22/2016 / Christian Living

"I give; I give!" It's easy to get one's little brothers to surrender. When you're the oldest (as I was) you're bigger, stronger and faster so it is really no contest. It was different with my sister however. She was close to me in age and nearly as big as I was. She grew up with three brothers and no sisters so she had learned to hold her own. It wasn't nearly as easy to get her to surrender and, though I wouldn't admit it at the time, often our tangles ended with my own surrender.

I don't know why older brothers feel a need to wrestle with their younger siblings and make them give up, unless it could be because they are the one doing all the giving up at school. That's the way it was in my case. I was skinny as a rail growing up and was often the one picked on at school. So I suppose after a full day of it you just want to be the tough guy for awhile and that's where little brothers and sisters come in. Hey they are good for something after all.

We've talked about some hard things in the last few articles that include religious prejudice, protests, religious violence and racism. We've been trying to look at these things from the Christian point of view.

We know that our country, the beloved United States of America, was founded on the basis of religious freedom. A very large percentage of people in this country still share the values and morals that our founding fathers had. Yet it seems that the majority is being ruled by the minority. If someone doesn't like a Christian slogan on anything that has to do with government, very soon they win and the slogan or wording is changed or eliminated.

It seems that things like abortion have been forced upon us. Drug abuse is running out of control and we see more and more people killed in our cities and even in our small towns. There was a time, particularly in the small town and rural areas, when you didn't need to lock your doors at night or even when you were away. For the most part people were honest and you knew that they wouldn't take anything from anyone they didn't earn. But times have changed and even locked doors don't serve as a deterrent anymore; many folks not only lock their doors but also turn on alarms and security systems.

So as Christians what are we supposed to do; just roll over and give up? Not hardly. I'm not suggesting that we just remain silent and let the country and the world go to pot. But I am saying that we need to use the wisdom from God when standing up for our rights. First and foremost we should always have winning the lost in our minds. I believe we have the right to defend our families and property but as Christians we should also desire to do what Jesus would do.

Also we have a weapon that is more powerful than any weapon of mass destruction found in the arsenal of war and that is none other than prayer. Sometimes we push it off. We minimize it or use it only as a last resort. But I believe we should pray before anything happens and pray for God's wisdom in all situations. Prayer is powerful.

So what about our great nation? We have often heard this verse quoted in Christian patriotic gatherings. They are the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14 and it reads, "If My people who are called by My name will 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." It's been quoted time and time again in reference to the good ole' US of A. In its proper context God was speaking during the night to Solomon. He had just finished the temple and dedicated it to the Lord. God spoke to him that evening and gave this great king the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14. Does it then apply to us? Sure it does. God is always ready to restore His people.

In reality will this happen for our country? As much as I would love to see it and as much as I want it, because of the end of time prophecies I really doubt it. Men's hearts are going to wax worse and worse. But don't be discouraged. Don't give up. Instead stand true until Jesus comes, because He is you know coming that is. And while we're patiently waiting we might as well be a good witness and take as many people with us as we can. We might not change the world but we can certainly be used to change the lives of those around us and if all of God's people would do this just think of how much change it will bring to our own world.

Jerry D. Ousley is the author of ?Soul Challenge?, ?Soul Journey?, ?Ordeal?, ?The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional and his first novel ?The Shoe Tree.? Visit our website at spiritbread.com to download these and more completely free of charge.

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