“When they cry for help, I will not answer.

    Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.

For they hated knowledge

    and chose not to fear the Lord.

They rejected my advice

    and paid no attention when I corrected them.

Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way,

    choking on their own schemes.

For simpletons turn away from me—to death.

    Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.

But all who listen to me will live in peace,

    untroubled by fear of harm.”

Proverbs 1:28-33 (NLT)

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Who wants to turn on the TV or radio these days? Or check the internet for news? Or read the newspaper? Everywhere I turn, the images are of fire, destruction, rage, and anger. Families are being torn apart. Politicians are trying to make a name for themselves. Citizens have turned against each other. Police are disregarded.

I remember a bumper sticker from my growing-up days — Respect Authority. We have a generation of young people that ignore, taunt, fight, and are proud to tell the world of their illegal actions and disrespectful opinions. They may hide their faces under a mask or hood, but mothers know. Some are willing to grab that child and take them home.

Why is all of this happening? Because we have lost a generation that respects or fears God. He is all but buried in all forms of civil discourse. I’m not saying that injustice has not been done. But the answer for the rage and anger is forgiveness. Wanting fairness or our own way is the action of a baby or young child. As we mature, we must put away those childish behaviors and look into the mirror and see the living God. There, we find perfect love and forgiveness as He forgives us for all the wrong we have done. Then we are able to forgive others.

I don’t have an answer for these problems. But God will not be mocked. 

I do know, that my peace is in Him.

Lord, protect our nation. May we fall on our knees and ask forgiveness from you and each other. Heal our land.