Recent events in our nation have greatly disturbed me. I’m grieved by bold pronouncements of chaos, protests, anger, bitterness and hatred as well as the targeted violent attacks on innocent citizens and those who are sworn to protect us. I’m also deeply concerned about what these events say about the heart and soul of our nation and our world.
How do we make sense of it? What do we do with the grief?
I’ve continued to ask and process these and other questions. But the one that has haunted me most is, “What can I do about it?”
The Old Testament book of 1 Kings 19 records a dramatic scene when the Lord God passed by as the prophet Elijah stood in the mouth of a cave.
First, there was a great and powerful wind, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice—the gentle voice of Father God speaking to His frightened, weary child.
God used the earthquake, wind and fire to get Elijah’s attention, because He had something to say. Our situation is so similar to Elijah’s. I have lost count of how may strong winds, earthquakes, storms – these have come in the political, social and economical spheres of Uganda. What is God telling Uganda today?
What matters, is what God says. When you quit ringing your hands and listen, His voice is clear.
It’s time for warfare on a spiritual level.
God told Elijah He would bring help. And He did. He brought Elisha alongside. God will bring us help Uganda. But we have to ask for it. Physical fists will not help us much.
“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.” (2 Chr. 7:14-15)
(The call is clear, and it is full of hope IF … If God’s people hear and heed the call.)
These storms have given ample opportunity for us to understand that life is about something bigger than we are. It’s a good time to reorder our priorities and private world.
God is with us. He has promised, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5b) God is right there in the midst of out turmoil. With you. Now! And He understands what we feel.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12)
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19)
As a nation, we are under attack from spirits of anger, fear, judgment, bitterness, hatred, strife, immorality, and more. The principalities are obvious, but God has given us authority over them. We can bind the evil spirits. We also have authority to loose opposing spirits—of love, righteousness, compassion, peace, unity, and so forth, as the spirit leads.
I can make a difference. You can too. Together, we can make a difference.
Jesus said, “from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” (Matt. 11:12) It’s time for the children of God to become violent (forceful) in dealing with our own sins and shortcomings.
We may be nobodies in the worldly scheme of things, but we belong to the King of kings. He is sovereign over all. When He speaks, things happen. All things are possible for Him (Matt. 19:26), and He is our refuge, strength, help, and deliverer.
“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because (when) they take refuge in Him.” (Ps. 37:39-40)
Have you wondered what to do?
Let’s join together in battle to make a difference. May the kingdom of God come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Ends
Kay Camenisch with additions from Anne Graham Lotz, second child of Billy and Ruth Graham.
Photo: Students of Makerere University protest against the official procedure to scrap a presidential age limit from the constitution in Kampala on September 21, 2017. Ugandan police had banned any protests set for today when lawmakers debate plans to scrap a presidential age limit. AFP PHOTO / Isaac Kasamani
