A Needed Transformation

A Needed Transformation

Over this past generation our country has gone through wholesale changes in what we stand for and believe in. There are things happening today that weren’t even contemplated a couple of generations ago.

In 1965, after reading Billy Graham’s manuscript entitled, “World Aflame,” Ruth Graham Bell said, “Billy, if God doesn’t soon bring judgment upon America, He’ll have to go back and apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!”

The specific chapter she was reading vividly described the sinful conditions in America. But forward 55 years and what we see is an increase in wickedness of biblical proportions.

Yet, when I look back and see that God was willing to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if He could find at least 10 righteous people, even as wicked and sinful as it was, that gives me hope.

And that’s because of the Christian presence in the gates of our country that has withheld God’s judgment. But for how long? The Bible says God is long suffering, but it never says He is forever suffering!

We are in need of a transformation. A change is necessary, but what sort of change?

We look to our politicians, or to a particular political party, to bring the change we need to keep our country from God’s judgment. And while this may be beneficial, there is no system of government that will save our nation.

What is needed is a transformation, which is apropos because transformation, by its very definition, is something that begins on the inside and works its way out.

The only thing that will save this nation are people’s hearts changing, becoming aligned with God, His word, will, and ways. It’s a heart change of the people, not a political realignment, but a heart alignment. And this is especially true in the lives of God’s people.

The Lord cried out, “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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

And we see such a cry from the Lord through the prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah said, “A voice was heard on the desolate heights, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel. For they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the Lord their God.” (Jeremiah 3:21 NKJV)

And the Lord responded, “Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.” (Jeremiah 3:22 NKJV)

So, A Transformation is Needed

And this will happen only when the Spirit of God takes over our lives, because when that happens, we’re no longer going to be the same, and those who know us will see us in a completely different light. No longer will we be classified as what we were, sinners, instead we’ll be seen as to who we are in Christ, and that is, saints and warriors for God.

Now, the reason I say, “Warriors for God,” is because we see this transformation in the story of David and Goliath.

Today we face similar giants who threaten all that we stand for, all that we hold dear as believers in Jesus Christ. These giants spew out their hatred for God, the things of God, and the people of God much the same as Goliath did.

When David heard these remarks directed towards God and His people, he became transformed, so much so that even King Saul questioned who he was. This is interesting because Saul knew David as a musician, a person who through his music could drive away the demons of depression.

But now Saul saw David in a completely different light. He saw David as a warrior, and so he asked, “Whose son is this youth?” (1 Samuel 17:55 NKJV)

Saul no longer saw David as just a musician, but now he saw him as a mighty man of valor.

Now is the time for our transformation. Our friends and family need to no longer see us as singers of hymns on Sunday morning, instead they need to see us as mighty men and women of valor.

But just as David refused King Saul’s armor, we need to refuse the weaponry of this world.

Instead, we’re to fight with God’s armor, that is, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the sandals of peace, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, along with Holy Spirit directed prayer (Ephesians 6:12-18).

To fight the battles, therefore, a transformation is needed. This is why it’s my prayer that 2023 will be a year of transformation, where our hearts will be transformed, and we’ll be those men and women that God is calling for us to be, along with His church.