A while ago I listened to an audiobook I borrowed from our library. It is called "Turn" by Max Lucado. It's only an hour long, but it is very powerful and thought provoking. It conveys how we, as a nation, need to turn from our wicked ways and get back in touch with God. The following Bible verse really sums it up:
"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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14
Right after I'd finished listening to the audiobook, the Lord laid upon my heart the song "While You Were Sleeping" by the group Casting Crowns. I'll post the lyrics below. I can't really describe what came over me while I listened to that song, but it was very powerful. I had such a burden for our country, coupled with the sadness at what I see we have become.
In the song, I find it interesting how the songwriter has compared
The lines "As we're sung to sleep by philosophies That save the trees and kill the children" just broke my heart. It's way too true. The priorities and convictions of many of our countrymen have gotten so mixed up.
How deeply are we sleeping? Can we wake up in time? The good news is that God has promised that if Christians humble themselves, pray, seek Him, and turn from their wicked ways, then God states that He will hear us, forgive us, and heal our land.
He's given us a chance. Now, what will we do with it? What will YOU do?
"While You Were Sleeping" by Casting Crowns
Oh little town of Bethlehem,
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep,
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark,
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne,
And is sleeping in a manger tonight
Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man, And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history,
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping,
While you were sleeping
Oh little town of Jerusalem,
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son,
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save
Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history,
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping,
While you were sleeping
United States of America,
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies,
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark,
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned,
And has carried His bride away in the night
America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again,
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history,
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping,
Will we be sleeping
United States of America
Looks like another silent night
If you haven't had the chance to hear this song … try to find it. You will be blessed. It is on the "Lifesong" album, and the artist is the awesome group "Casting Crowns". (The song "Set Me Free" that inspired another of my blogs is on that album as well.) You can also sample songs at www.imeem.com ; type in the song title and group in the search window.
Look for the book "Turn" by Max Lucado in your local library. If they don't have it, perhaps they can obtain if for you through the Inter-Library Loan service. It can also be found through various sources online. Audible.com offers it in the audiobook format at:
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