The Great Mercy of God

Ezekiel 18:32 - "For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!"

This is an incredibly difficult period of American history. Just a short time ago we, as a nation, were going about our daily lives in peace each concerned only with our own individual situations. Now, we are in a state of war. Many of our personal concerns, so large three weeks ago, are now completely swallowed by the realities of having been brutally attacked as a nation and seeking to defend our legitimate national interests. We have loved ones and friends in harm's way; yea, we ourselves are in harm's way. How drastically our lives have changed!

Many have scorned the idea that God had anything to do with the events of September 11. The thought would seem to be that either God was Himself a helpless bystander, or that He was not paying attention, or that the reins of Providence have been turned over to Evil. Which of these thoughts bring comfort? No, as difficult as it may be for us to take in God chose to include the tragedies of September 11 in His plan for America. There are sound reasons for considering that perhaps it was an expression of His holy displeasure with our national life. That does not mean that God Himself caused the wickedness to occur, that cannot be; but it does mean that God ceased restraining the malicious intentions of our enemies. This was not the first time that enemies had attempted to assault our nation's mainland; however, previous attempts had been frustrated by Providence. On this occasion, Providence allowed the enemy to do much of what he designed to do. Thus, while being justly angry with the terrorists who perpetrated this attack, our nation must also grapple with the fact that God permitted them to succeed in measure.

This must be a season of serious reflection and humiliation on the part of our leaders as well as the general populace. Do we really want to send our sons and daughters off to war, even a just war, if God still has a controversy with us?

What would it take to be at peace with God? Is it difficult to be reconciled with God?

God loves to bestow mercy. God has established the basis of peace by sending His Son to die in the place of the guilty. The infinite worth of Christ's death has purchased peace for everyone who will ever desire and seek peace with God through Him. What God requires of us is that we humble ourselves, confess our iniquities with repentance, and trust Him to be merciful for Christ's sake.

We cannot pursue peace with God in the place of others. We must each one deal with God as individuals. But, we must make sure that we do that-that we deal with God regarding our personal transgressions. We must also intercede for our nation. Even if many will not seek Him, we must entreat His mercy on behalf of our entire country. God told Abraham that He would not destroy Sodom if even ten righteous persons be found in that ancient city.