We enjoy a day off from our regular work. It is always enjoyable to see some fireworks. We are thankful for our nation and appreciate the freedoms that we still enjoy. However, in the last number of years, things have changed so much. One who is a little older can remember and think about all the changes.

We try to put an understanding of what has changed. Technology has changed greatly giving us cell phones and computers, but that is not what the basic concern is. What has changed is an attitude and thinking pattern that affects us greatly. More than 60 years ago our nation believed in God. Public schools started each day with reading from the Bible, prayer, and a pledge of allegiance to the flag. Government meetings started with a prayer and devotional before getting to the needed business. Since that time these things have been deleted from our public arenas.

The crime rate has increased greatly. One would think that a time of the Great Depression or World War One and Two would have affected the crime rate but they did not. What affected the crime rate the most was when the Bible reading and prayer were removed from the public arenas. Now we need metal detectors to see if anyone is bringing a gun to criminally shoot masses of people at public gatherings.

What is needed then is for us as a nation to get back to faith in God and the Bible. In 2nd Chronicles 7:14 is recorded this promise: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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.” This is our hope for our nation that we would return to faith and relationship with God. The United States used to be referred to as a Christian nation. This is needed once again.

So where does it have to start? It would be great if our government officials once again allowed public prayer and Bible reading. However, it needs to start again at the grass roots level of us as individuals and families. If we as a people will once again seek God and the Bible, it will eventually return to our government.

The prophet Jeremiah offers this beautiful promise in 29:11-13. He states that God wants us to experience peace and not evil and give us prosperity and hope. Verse 13 says, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” So God Himself desires our prosperity rather than punishment for evil. He promises that we will find God if we search for Him with all our hearts.

So what is the hope for our nation? It is that we as a people would change our ways and be revived and turn back to God. In turning to God, He wants to fill us with His power to enable us to walk in righteousness rather than evil. May God richly bless you as you and your family seek God and reap the hope we need for our nation!