In 1956, we as a nation, intentionally placed upon our currency the bold inscription: “IN GOD WE TRUST”. I was 26 years old at the time. We were telling God the Father our intentionality to honor Him as a nation. He was our primary source of life, freedom, and prosperity.

            As a reaction to our expressed honor of God, the principalities of darkness began to move. Around the mid 1960’s there was an emergence of a false father’s voice. A more serious media-based invasion of Marxism began in our nation. The promises of socialism proclaimed, “We will take care of you from the cradle to the grave”.

            Many American citizens became frighteningly dependent upon an illusionary system. People once centered on God as their Father are now subject to a self-serving entity. Governmental failure will end in countless loss, disruption, and injury to those who trusted in an entity.

God, as our Father is seeking to return us as a nation to His Kingdom purpose. We, as believers, must gain understanding and refuse to react. A profound response that the scriptures present comes from the prophet Habakkuk. He processes a mature and authentic posture when things do not go as expected:

            Though the fig tree does not blossom,

            Nor fruit be on the vines,

            The produce of the olive fail

            And the fields yield no food,

            The flock be cut off from the fold,

            And there be no herd in the stalls,

            Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

            I will joy in the God of my salvation.

            Habakkuk 3:17,18.  

            Though there is little known of this prophet, his witness and declaration has been most valuable, as well as mysterious and demanding. It has been a lifesaver for Judith and me. As a nation, our responses have brought us to the reality of a critical and expensive self-reckoning. Jesus says in Luke 22:53, “The hour and the power of darkness are yours.” He is warning that human failure and greed have consequences.

            Creation is now expressing its own chaos. The negative issues are global; no nation is exempt. The sheer pervasiveness of what is happening propagates a false father’s message. The Kingdom of God requires personal responsibility. We must learn to ignore triumphalist declarations. As our true Father seeks to return us to Him, we, as His children, must embrace responsibility as a first step to trust and obey Him. May the hearts of the children be turned toward Father.

Bob Mumford