Daily writing prompt

How do you unwind after a demanding day?

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I just went to the “America Reads the Bible” website and the largest letters on the screen say in all caps: “PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP READING.” Yes, tonight this Bible-readathon will feature Trump (prerecorded) reading what God told King Solomon about how to make a nation great: “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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Donald Trump and most of his followers claim to be God’s people. If they truly want to make America great, perhaps they should not only read those words but continually obey them:

1) “Humble themselves:” Perhaps they could decide to set aside pride and to turn away from self-focus. Maybe they could make the decision to put away narcissism by daily obeying this Bible verse: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,” (Philippians 2:3)

2) “Pray:” Perhaps they could regularly obey this command from Jesus: “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:28)

3) “Seek My face:” To seek God’s face is to unceasingly seek to encounter His reality. It is to surrender more and more to His presence and His will. It’s to seek first the inner government of God in your life (Matthew 6:33) so you can be continually led by His Spirit. (Romans 8:14) It is the way to genuine greatness.

4) “Turn from their wicked ways:” It’s possible that the people who proclaim that they want to make America great again could ask God to show them their sins. It’s feasible that they could stop their wrongdoing, apologize, and make amends. Pride, self-righteousness, unproven accusations, insulting and mistreating people, twisting the truth, idolizing a political leader, refusing to love your enemies, and celebrating war instead of making peace are wicked ways that keep individuals and nations far away from true greatness!

Here’s the good news. “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

2 Chronicles 7:14 merely read (even by a President) will leave us spiritually dead and trapped in deception. However, when people who believe that they are God’s people will whole heartedly obey those words, God will heal their land and make their nation great. A national Bible readathon without a lifetime marathon of self-denying Bible obedience will produce self-righteousness instead of greatness.

The Good News of Jesus
Isn’t information.
More than Bible reading,
It’s transformation,
Spiritual formation,
Divine revelation.
“Till Christ is formed in you.”
(Galatians 4:19)