“… and I said, ‘O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens.'”  (Ezra 9:6)

The land of the Jews is filled with sin and the prophets cry out to the Lord. Seems like something from long ago and totally out of touch with the world today. But, wait a minute. What if Ezra were living in the USA in 2018? What sort of prayer might he offer to God? 

Would he be thanking God that he lives in a Godly nation? Or, would he be praying a prayer similar to the one quoted above. What would Ezra think about the corruption in our government? How would he view the absence of God from every public occasion, especially in the education of the nation’s youth? Would he see the number of daily murders as a blessing in disguise? What might he think of a society that was raising children who wanted to kill other children?

Do you think Ezra would be fooled by the motto on our coins, knowing that the biggest excitement of the day is the stock market report? How can a nation be said to honor God when it practices abortion, discriminates against so many different kinds of people and teaches hatred for enemies? Where are mercy and justice so desired by God? 

Task for Today: Think about our nation and what it really stands for. Is it a Godly country or a materialistic one? Is it a country of brotherly love or me first thinking? What kind of prayer will you pray? Will it be introspective?