There comes a point in life, a fork in the road if you will, when belief beckons us to choose between passionately living by our convictions or passively going with the flow of the culture around us.

One such intersection of belief and conviction happened just last week for my husband and me. Out of the blue, we were faced with an issue that affected us and immediately put our beliefs on the line. Instantly, the question- how far would we go for what we believe demanded an answer. 

While we knew there was no question that we would stand for what is right, the reality of potential consequences of taking that stand was sobering.

As I laid in bed that night, I found myself feeling very frustrated and upset at the condition of our country- at how far it has gone from the morals and values it was built upon. My mind raced with a long list of grave concerns for our country’s future. Yet, in the midst of my inner turmoil, God reminded me that this is nothing new. In fact, from the beginning of time, ALL of mankind has had to make the decision of whether to follow or reject God’s principles.

It just so happens that over the last few months I have been reading through Kings and Chronicles in the Old Testament. And as I have read about the different kings, it has been mind-boggling to me that so many of them were evil and did what was blatantly wrong in the sight of God and as a result received God’s judgment rather than His blessings and favor. I found myself getting so frustrated, that is, until I came to 2 Kings 22:1-2 which tells of one king who dared to be different:

Josiah did what was RIGHT in the Lord’s sight and walked in all the ways of his ancestor David; he did not turn to the right or the left.

Hallelujah! Someone finally turned the ship around and brought Israel back to God! My relief was short-lived, however, because as I read on the very next king after Josiah went back to doing what was evil in God’s sight.

What is wrong with these people, I mused. Did they completely lose their minds? They knew what was right and deliberately did not do it! They traded God’s favor for a life lived unto themselves. And then it hit me- are we any different today? Do we walk in ALL of God’s ways or are we like the Israelites who swerved far to the left and to the right?

As I thought about this question last week, I realized how quick I was to judge Israel when in reality I can be guilty of the same thing. No, my actions may not be as evil in my eyes as the Israelites’ sin, but the truth is- ALL sin grieves God’s heart. And when I choose to do what is wrong or even to swerve to the right or to the left of what I know are God’s principles, I am living just as the Israelites who wandered from God.

Yikes! How convicting is that? All of a sudden, this was not so much about how others are living or what our country is doing, but rather how am I living before an almighty God?

As if that wasn’t enough, God further challenged my heart this morning, when I read 2 Chronicles 7:14, a verse that I have read many times but today saw it in a new light:

“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.”

From that verse, I couldn’t help but notice that the entire formula for bringing revival and healing to the land was based on God’s people coming back to Him. And then the lightbulb came on for me-It’s not so much about our culture and how they choose to live, but rather it’s all about God’s people humbling ourselves, turning from our wicked ways, and praying and seeking God’s face.

There is no doubt that our land needs healing, but I am convinced more than ever that it must start with US! Instead of looking all around us and casting blame and judgment, we must first look within and make sure WE are walking right with God and living holy lives before Him. Yes, we still need to look within our culture and stand for what is right, but perhaps our impact will be even greater if we do so from a framework of personal revival and unswerving commitment to our God.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times that I have arrogantly looked in judgment at others, when my own heart is flawed and can drift away from You. Help me to make sure I am living right before Your eyes in such a way as King Josiah did with a life that didn’t waver or swerve to the right or to the left. I admit that I don’t have all the answers, and as I look at our world today I know it must grieve Your heart to see the moral depravity, the violence, and the way the enemy has deceived and destroyed. I ask You today, Lord, to help me to be brave and bold in standing for what is right. May I be led by Your Spirit rather than my emotions and may it all come from a heart of love and commitment to You. Our land needs healing. Our land needs You, Jesus! Revive our hearts, and may it start with me.