No nation, and no individual, is ever totally beyond hope—no matter how far gone they appear to be. God is sovereign, and He is able to bring revival and new life to even the coldest heart or the most rebellious nation. The psalmist prayed, “Will you not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:6).
At the same time, when we repeatedly scorn God’s ways and continually follow paths that are destructive and immoral, we will eventually pay a terrible price. We will pay it as a nation, leading to conflict and social disruption and widespread evil. And we will pay it as individuals, leading to addictions and broken relationships and unhappiness and death. The Bible warns, “Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. … For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption” (Gal. 6:7-8).
Don’t give in to despair, however. Instead, turn to God and pray for our nation and its leaders (particularly as we enter another election year). Pray too for those around you who do not know Christ, and ask God to help you be a witness to them of Christ’s joy and peace. Do they see Christ reflected in you?
Most of all, however, ask God to bring revival to your soul—a revival of love for Christ and His Word, and a revival of love for our lost and chaotic world. Jesus’ command to His disciples has never been rescinded: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and. … love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31).
