If you were watching TV during the day on Wednesday, you probably saw Katherine Sebelius (see information about her at: Kathleen Sebelius ) testify before congress. Frankly, I only watched about 15-20 minutes before I turned it off in disgust. Think about all the scandals, broken promises, dead locks and outright crimes in our nations capital and literally it is enough to make you physically sick. A senator made reference to the "not in Kansas, anymore" quote from the movie "The Wizard of OZ" as a jab at her because she was the former govenor of Kansas; with all the obvious implications of that statement. Frankly, over the past few years, I feel like I live in a different USA (A United Socialist America). Then, this morning, it hit me; that I am indeed a stranger in a strange land, for my true home is in heaven. Sound unusual? Remember this passage from the New Testament...
Hebrews, Chapter 11
1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. 2 For by this, the elders obtained testimony. 3 By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks. 5 By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God. 6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. 7 By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8 By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went. 9 By faith, he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Our society has changed; we are no longer a predominately Christian nation. The days of "Father knows best", "Leave it to Beaver" and "The Dick Van Dyk show" are gone. Innocence has given way to sin and like ancient Israel, we are sick from the head to the foot with the putrid effects of rebellion against God. Isaiah puts it this way...
Isaiah, Chapter 1
1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2 Hear, heavens,
and listen, earth; for Yahweh has spoken:
“I have nourished and brought up children,
and they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows his owner,
and the donkey his master’s crib;
but Israel doesn’t know,
my people don’t consider.”
4 Ah sinful nation,
a people loaded with iniquity,
a seed of evildoers,
children who deal corruptly!
They have forsaken Yahweh.
They have despised the Holy One of Israel.
They are estranged and backward.
5 Why should you be beaten more,
that you revolt more and more?
The whole head is sick,
and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it:
wounds, welts, and open sores.
2 Hear, heavens,
and listen, earth; for Yahweh has spoken:
“I have nourished and brought up children,
and they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows his owner,
and the donkey his master’s crib;
but Israel doesn’t know,
my people don’t consider.”
4 Ah sinful nation,
a people loaded with iniquity,
a seed of evildoers,
children who deal corruptly!
They have forsaken Yahweh.
They have despised the Holy One of Israel.
They are estranged and backward.
5 Why should you be beaten more,
that you revolt more and more?
The whole head is sick,
and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it:
wounds, welts, and open sores.
I really do not know if it is too late to save our country, but as Christians, we need to pray that God's will for our country be done. Please, Please pray for this country; I will!!! The movie: "The Wizard Of Oz" has many moral lessons in it, but the one I like the best is "There is no place like home". Pray to God that it becomes a fit place to call home once again!!!