In the first three chapters of this book, I have outlined and delved into the problems and issues in the black community. But, my friend, we cannot continue to be a part of the problem, we must finally make a decision to be a part of the solution. In the words of Evangelist Daniel Whyte III, "the only somebody who can help us now is God." Here is the only way out for our people as it was for the children of Israel:
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land." - II Chronicles 7:14
Notice what this verse says and how it gives a solid solution to our problems as it did for the Israelites.
First of all, I want you to look at the fact that God is addressing His people which are called by His Name. This means that God expects His people, the people who claim to be God-followers in our communities, to take the first step and do what needs to be done:
1. Humble Ourselves -- This means that we need to acknowledge the fact that we are "not all that," and that God is in charge. We need to follow Him, obey His Word, do His will and stop trying to make Him do our will.
2. Pray! -- My friend, Daniel Whyte III, has a sermon that he preaches entitled, "A Praying Time." If there ever was a praying time, folks, that time is now! We need to commit ourselves to fasting and prayer for our community, and particularly for our young people. I appreciate what the great television host Tavis Smiley wrote in his book, The Covenant with Black America. But the truth of the matter is that after we do all that he and others have proposed, at the end of the day, we must pray!
Much Prayer, Much Power!
Little Prayer, Little Power!
No Prayer, No Power!
Not even "Black power" can save us now. There are those in our community who think that we can turn things around without the help of God. But I am convinced that "only God can help us now." Therefore, we need to invite God into our dire situation through prayer.
3. Seek My Face -- Not only do we, as a race of people, need to seek the face of God, but this entire nation, needs to seek the face of God lest we all be destroyed. We need to turn to God and repent of our sins and begin to show our love for Him by living for Him. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). He also said, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord; and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).
4. And Turn From Our Wicked Ways -- God is calling upon us to turn from our crime, to turn from our robbery, to turn from our murder, to turn from our sin, and turn back to Him. May I lovingly encourage you, my fellow African-Americans, and, yea, America, to turn back to the God Who created us, Who loves us, and Who died for us, and then, He will hear from Heaven, forgive our sins, heal our land, and turn our shame back to glory!
SEGUE
One of the main problems that I see in Black America is that we have what the Bible calls a "form of Godliness" but we "deny the power thereof." In other words, we have a lot of emotional religion, but little living out of that religion outside the church walls. Oftentimes, people go to church out of tradition, but they do not allow the church to change how they live on the outside. We are people who the Bible calls, "Hearers of the word, but not doers of the word." We have a religious faith, but not a biblical faith. This is the same problem that God had with the children of Israel--His chosen people. Many of the Israelites had fallen into a false religion as well as many of the priests of that day. And unfortunately, we have the same thing happening in the Black community today. Read On!
"Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving." - Benjamin B. Warfield
