1-20-22

 

If you have been watching the news this past year you have probably been inundated with reports of

overwhelming crime increases in our larger cities in this nation. It must be very frustrating for residents of these

large metropolises as they struggle to deal with increased robberies and violent crimes that have become a plague

in our country. We are fortunate to live in a smaller city that seems to not trend in the same direction as bigger

communities. But make no mistake, we do not go unscathed as this criminal pandemic will eventually touch us all

in some way whether financially, physically, psychologically, or spiritually. Why are we experiencing this rise in

criminal activity?

The answer can be made into a complicated soup of mashed together

excuses. Here is a list of causes, some more valid than others: The existence of

poverty, lack of fathers in the home, deteriorating family values. not enough

policing, anti-police idiocy, corrupt political leaders, ignorant political

leaders, lenient and ineffective judicial system, lenient criminal processing, gangs

allowed to thrive, drugs and drug laws. You name the crime, we have multiple

excuses for it. Not that these reasons for crime are untrue, but the Bible boils the

problem to simpler reasons.

In 1962, prayer was outlawed as an allowed activity in our public schools.

In 1973, the killing of unborn babies was legalized in all states. In 1980, the Ten

Commandments were removed from those same schools where open prayer had been removed. What has

happened? We have slowly but surely turned our face and heart from seeking God. Psalm 14:1-3 says, “ The fool

has said in his heart, “ There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who

does good. 2 The L ORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand,

who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No,

not one. ” In James chapter 4, we are told that fighting and wars amongst ourselves occur because of our lustful

desire to have, and the reason we don’t have is because we refuse to ask God. The 2 nd book of Chronicles says it

like this, “ 14 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.”

So why are crime rates rising? We have slowly but surely kicked God out of the public square and out of

our hearts. He is no longer invited in our schools to shape the lives of our children, so what did we expect would

happen? So how do we change this pandemic, take the advice of God from 2 Chronicles 7:14, turn to God, seek His

face, and He will heal our land.

 

Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris