We are at a critical point in the history of our nation. It is not being overly dramatic to say that this upcoming election will truly determine the fate of our country: whether it will continue to be an example of freedom and democracy, or whether it will become a socialist state, with the government telling us what we can and cannot do, where we can work, how we must live, and basically destroying the nation as we know it.

America, we NEED God. Our help is not found in a man or a political party - although one party wants to build our nation, while the other wants to radically change it. We all want God to bless us and to bless our country, but here's the thing: God is not going to bless a people and a nation that have turned their backs on Him. We have ignored His Word, His laws, and His statutes for far too long in this country. We have allowed things He calls an abomination. We have allowed our churches to become get rich quick schemes, with preachers preaching wealth and prosperity messages and leaving out God's commands, much to the detriment of our souls. We have indeed sowed to the wind, and are about to reap the whirlwind, if we do not change the path we are on.

How do we change our path? Today's verse tells us exactly what we must do:

1. Humble ourselves. Admit that He alone is God, and we are not. What He says is true, and good, even if it steps on our toes. He created us, and He has the right to rule His creation. When we put our own wants and desires above the truth of God's word, we are exalting ourselves above Him, and God is not going to tolerate that.
   
   "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble." (James 4:6)
   
   
2. Pray, and seek His face. Oh, sure, we pray, sometimes. We pray and tell God what we want Him to do for us. But praying and seeking His face means not merely praying to get what we want, but praying with the intention of knowing God better, drawing closer to Him, learning what He desires in our situation. It's not just praying selfishly, it is truly communicating with the Father. James tells us:
   
   "You have not, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you mnay spend it on your evil desires." (James 4:3)
   
   
3. Turn from our wicked ways. Individually and as a community of believers, we must turn away from anything that goes against God's expressed word. We aren't wandering around blindly, trying to figure out what God wants from us; He gave us His Holy Bible to lead, guide, and direct us every day of our lives.
   
   "And the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now commands all men everywhere to repent." (Acts 17:30)
   
   

   Throughout the Bible, we see the way God deals with His people when they become willful and disobedient, and turn their backs on Him. It's the "If-Then" principal: IF the people of God repent, and humble themselves before Him, THEN He blesses them and their nation. He is not obligated to rescue or bless a wicked and wayward nation.

   This verse was given to Solomon when he became king of Israel. But God never changes, and the principal here applies just as much to us today as it did to the nation of Israel back then. If we do these three things: humble ourselves, pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, then - and only then - are we in a position to receive God's favor. And He has made it clear that IF we do these things, THEN He will hear from heaven, and will forgive our sin, and will heal our land. He is our only true hope, friends.