This is not a political statement but an observation of the depravity in much of what I hear or read in the daily news. Our (American) hands are covered in the blood of the killing of many innocent beings. From babies in the womb to our financial support and supplying of weapons for unjust wars, we are guilty.

There is also the sexual demise before our eyes. Young children are being groomed to be comfortable with perversions of God’s original design of men and women. The sexualization of video games and advertisements (for things like eye-glasses and cars) are desensitizing us to what should be enjoyed in marriage only.

This morning in a doctor’s office there was a little play area for small children. A Mom with her 3ish year old child was checking out near where the play area was just out of sight. Her son remembered it and went for it. The Mom looked visibly frightened that her little guy was moving out of her sight in an enclosed space with at least 50 people waiting. Though I didn’t talk to her, it was obvious that she was afraid he would be snatched.

When did things get so bad that a Mom in that setting couldn’t say, “Go play while I check out?” There is a darkness that has crept into our culture as we have abandoned God’s Word, the value of human life, and the security and safety that comes from a culture with the biblical family (Mom, Dad, and the kids) as its basis.

But, be encouraged! We have a God who, when we do obey Him, when we turn to Him, repent, and cry out for forgiveness, He will “make us lie down in green pastures” and “lead us beside still waters.” He will “restore our souls and lead us into paths of righteousness for His name’s sake!” (Psalm 23)

The question is, if Christians want to see these “green pastures,” what are we to do?  It has to start with personal obedience to God. We need to be the light that shines in the darkness, evangelizing and giving others an example to live by. We do not have to go along with the crowd to be “heard” as it seems many think.

The pro-life movement is a prime example. They have been “fighting against abortion” since Roe v Wade in 1973 (over 50 years!). There is essentially no improvement. There was a report yesterday that nationwide, Planned Parenthood still commits the murder of a baby in the womb every 80 seconds. That number does not include the babies whose lives are taken by pills in the seclusion of the home.

Yet when abolitionists argue for the complete elimination of abortion, pro-lifers scream that “that will never get through Congress!” Well, it won’t if we do not ask and even insist on it! Abortion is murder.

The green grass lies in our becoming bold with the Word of God. In studying Haggai, it was pointed out to me that the Lord sent Haggai to rebuke the Israelites because they had not rebuilt His Temple (the place they knew as His presence with them) in the 16(ish) years that they had been back from exile. He asked them to consider how things had been going for them, Haggai 1:9-11 points out all of the hardships they were experiencing because they had failed to rebuild God’s Temple.

We see here a combination of personal and national obedience.  As soon as the Israelite leaders obeyed and the people feared the Lord, God sent a message that He was with them. They were being faithful to Him and started the building process. They were just going for wood. There was nothing done yet – but the Lord was with them. The grass became green by the obedience of the people.

God was merciful to them because of their faithfulness, not a completed Temple.

Are we boldly faithful to God? Are we teaching our kids the Word of God? Do we do what it says so they see a living example?

Are we willingly (deliberately) getting into conversations that give us opportunity to speak the truth to other Christians who are more afraid of man than they are of God?

Are we willing to go to bat for His Word among those who can change man’s laws? Do we know His Word well enough to teach it at the water-cooler in the workplace?

Many pastures look dead right now. Green pastures aren’t always obvious to others. But, faithful, thankful children of God can know them well when we boldly obey and proclaim His Word.