We live in a sin-stained world where evil runs wild. While the pain of sin still hurts we are no longer alarmed by the wickedness we readily see on our televisions and smart devices. Just this week there was yet another school shooting in a suburb of my hometown in Denver, Colorado. I continue to be saddened by the news of the deceased and many injuries surrounding the event as well as the emotional and spiritual confusion that resulted.

“Why?” Why do kids continue to shoot and kill one another and why is the suicide rate among our youth one of the highest in the country? Is anybody watching? Does anybody care? I mean, if God is all-powerful, then why doesn’t He put an end to this? Moreover, if God is all loving, then how can this be His will?

These questions arise every time we see tragedy in our culture. The reality is that God is both all-loving and all-powerful! The reality is that the sinful nature of mankind continues to produce these results. However, God provides a solution. He invites His people to return to Him. This doesn’t mean a cavalier acknowledgment that He is God, but a rather a wholehearted return to Him with great humility.

Some of you may be thinking, “Yes, those pagans need to repent and trust Jesus.” I agree. Yes, they do.

But the point of this text and many others in Scripture is for God’s people to return to Him. Many believers have grown calloused in their love for God. They go through the motions, they say they read their Bibles, they say they love one another, but deep down they really only care about how God is personally helping them. This sin is the problem. Instead of God’s people seeking and submitting to Him we have chosen to live for ourselves and therefore are no longer leaning on the LORD.

May we repent with great humility and allow the LORD to restore our culture!

PRAYER

Dear Jesus. I repent that I have completely been living for myself rather than for you and your church. I want to return to you and allow you to have your way with every part of my life. For Your Great Name! Amen.