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Great?

             The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel. All the people will know it— Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria— who say with pride and arrogance of heart, “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” (Isaiah 9:8-10)

…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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (II Chronicles 7:14)

          Some time ago, there was a best-selling novel out called The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn. In it, the author spends quite a bit of time on this passage, especially in light of the aftermath of 9/11 when (he says) politicians quoted the last part of the passage in a way that puts America in God’s sights for the same judgments He poured out on Israel. If you haven’t read the book, you probably should. If you have read it, you should probably pray about it for a long time before you place the book as a cornerstone of your life.

          But as we are in another election cycle (and since politics is rarely out of sight even when we aren’t), this passage should pause us. It’s basically unavoidable. The most recent two are “Make American Great Again” and “Build Back Better.” But an unfortunate key for all those trying to win power is the promise of a great future. Would you, after all, want to elect someone who promised you that life will continue about the same and it’s up to you to make the best of it? The hype has to be there, and for the hype to be there, arrogance is required. We are going to rebuild. Life may seem a shambles, but “follow me and I will” make everything all better. A chicken in every pot, and all that rot.

          As Christians, we sometimes fall into this same idea. “If my people…” we quote as if checking off each item in the list guarantees that our land will be great. But greatness is not promised. Healing is promised. Healing does not equal greatness. In fact, the desire for greatness, the “We will rebuild” idea is what God condemns in Isaiah.

          I’m not suggesting that you not vote in November. Please vote. As a Christian, it’s a duty to vote. But voting doesn’t reduce any of your other responsibilities. The government isn’t there to love your neighbor as yourself for you. It’s not there to serve God so you don’t have to. Just remember that the goal isn’t about America becoming great. It’s about America getting well.

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