Climate change. School shootings. Political dysfunction. Racism. Homelessness. Immigrants overrunning the border. The opioid and fentanyl crisis. Suicides. War. Famine.

I could go on and on with a list of the ills of this country and our world. I think we all feel the heaviness and often the frustration that so little changes into a more positive direction. The pressure from society is to do something. So commissions are formed. Protests are conducted. Bloggers, radio and television commentators highlight the problems and exhort us to do what they think needs to be done—elect certain types of politicians, create new public policies and laws, make your voice heard by those in the position to change things, and, perhaps considered most important, send money.

I have been in the prophets of late and they have reminded me of something very basic when our world goes awry—instead of trusting solely in ourselves to overcome difficulties, whether ours or those of our society, we need to be seeking the Lord. Here is what the Lord proclaimed through Isaiah to the Israelites,

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.” (Isaiah 31:1)

From what I see in our culture, this is where we are at. Even the Christians seeking to solve one or more problems in our society typically emphasize much more a reliance on certain actions than on seeking the Lord. It’s like in the many board meetings which I have been a part of. Even in crisis situations, the prevalence is to focus on the problem much more than to seek the Lord. I remember such a meeting many years ago. Our campus ministry was in deep financial trouble. I called an emergency board meeting. We did pray for a bit, but our time was dominated by discussing proposed solutions, mostly drastic budget cuts and increased emphasis on fundraising. And I felt the burden was mostly on me to turn things around. I left the meeting very discouraged and overwhelmed. In talking with my wife later that day, we decided to seek the Lord, fasting and praying, and asking for his help.

I don’t want to paint myself in too positive a light since I could have insisted that our board focus much of the meeting on prayer. I didn’t. Instead, I let the agenda be formed without any objection. And I can’t even say with great certainty that without my wife that I would have sought the Lord in the way we did. Yet, it was the right posture. And not only did we seek the Lord, we repented of our own wrongdoing. As the Lord spoke through Jeremiah:

“I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. None of them repent of their wickedness saying, ‘What have I done?’ Each pursues their own course like a horse charging into battle.” (Jeremiah 8:6)

The result? The Lord provided us not only the needed funds, but so much more than we asked or imagined! (Ephesians 3:23)

Over the weekend, my wife and I were discussing many of the problems in the world, those mentioned above. We acknowledged that no matter our grandest attempts, we will not solve them on our own. Can we really bring climate change under control? Can we eliminate poverty and homelessness? Can we erase racism and injustice? Can we prevent gun violence and wars? Yes, we can do a lot of things, but the problems are beyond our ability alone to solve.

Because I’m a pastor and involved in various Christian circles, I receive a lot of emails about how important Christian activism is to change our world. Honestly, there is little emphasis on seeking the Lord and acknowledging our helplessness to solve so many problems. Instead, there is an acknowledgement of God (most of the time) and then it is on to what they need me and other Christians to do—charge into battle on the course they have laid out for me on the horse of their choice.

I think we would be wise to change our approach. Instead of spending the majority of our time, energy, and money on attempts to change the direction of our culture and world, that we use those to seek the Lord, confessing and repenting where needed, and to encourage others to do the same. As Jesus taught us, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

© Jim Musser 2023 All Scripture references are from the New International Version, 2011.