I believe that in these last days, there is a demonic spirit sweeping over and spreading into the very heart of Black churches across America. This spirit has come to do exactly what Jesus said he would (see John 10:10).
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.
The devil has been displaying destructive images throughout urban Black communities for years. The senseless killing of innocent Black men through black-on-black crime has become a serious—and, it seems, interminable—detriment to the Black community. Issues that are equally disconcerting include police brutality, gang violence, single-parent households, mass imprisonment, and drugs. While we may disagree on how to prioritize such ills, all of us can attest to their existence, and we are all woefully concerned about them. However, what we must see, especially as Christians, is the devil’s hand in all of this; after all, he is the thief. That is patently obvious.
One other thing that is irrefutable is that God has blessed Black people with an indomitable spirit that refuses to be denied. He has blessed us with the skill, prowess, and fortitude that have not only helped us survive but have also made us a force to be reckoned with. Most importantly, however, it has been our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that has caused us to prevail against all odds.
It was faith in God that inspired men and women like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Sojourner Truth, to fight relentlessly for the emancipation of the Black race. But what about lesser known men and women who, because of their faith in and obedience to God, made an impression on the Black race, and the world at large, that cannot be erased.
People like Amanda Smith who, in the mid 1800s, preached the gospel at home and abroad long before women could even hope to be accepted as preachers. She became known as the American Evangelist to the World. And what of George Washington Carver who has been credited with saving the South from poverty. You may have known that, but did you know that Carver’s ability to help the south grew directly out of his intimate relationship with God. The story of Charles Albert Tindley touches me. During the early 1900s when poverty ravished America, especially Black Americans, Tindley noticed that the city’s attempt to feed the poor was severely lacking. In response, he marshalled his congregation to feed massive numbers of people—day after day—better than the Government had done and with no help from the Government.
I want to ask my African American Christian brothers and sisters a question. Where does your trust rest upon? Does it rest upon the Government, a presidential candidate, a certain politician, or does it rest solely upon God? God has provided us with an endless parade of Black heroes—both then and now—who are stalwart examples of how through faith in God, we can always turn tragedy into triumph. We never have to settle for anything less than God. We never have to compromise our Biblical principles for political promises that never come to fruition. God can—and He will!—take care of us. We need only to trust Him.
I wholeheartedly believe that we, as the Black community, were never to trust in the Government. Of course, we are admonished to honor, respect, and pray for our leaders:
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
And I acknowledge that God has ordained Government and has used it, at times, to bring about positive change. And I would never suggest that we stop engaging in the political process. What I am emphatically saying is that we should we should not place our trust solely in the Government. We should instead cast our cares upon the Father because no one cares for us like He does, and no one is more capable of helping us.
We must resist the temptation to idolize any man or woman, regardless of their status. We must come together as a people, pray as a people, and seek the face of God and receive our instructions from the Holy Spirit, and we will see the glory of God manifested. I am certain that the social, economic, and prison reforms we seek will not come by looking to man but rather looking to God and His Word.
I remember growing up in my Baptist church, knowing that I could turn to the Church for what whatever problem confronted me. There were men and women in the church who were doctors, lawyers, accountants, HR representatives, nurses, child development coordinators, and all sorts of professionals who would not only provide practical help but also provide scriptures for mediation, as well as pray for God’s blessings of mercy and favor. I saw firsthand men and women who would point you to God first and the Government second, and most of the time, I saw God step in and help when the Government did nothing. This is the importance of the Church in this day in age. The Church has the answers for God’s people.
Today, I am speaking to people of my race, not out of disdain for other races, but out of concern for my own and at the urging of the Father. The Apostle Paul once felt similarly compelled to his race:
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God (Romans 10: 1-3).
Will you pray with me now?
Father God, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your children. May we continue wholeheartedly in your ways. Give attention to our prayer and plea for mercy. Oh Lord God, hear the cry and the prayer that your children are praying in your presence this day. May your eyes be open towards us as you promised in 1 John 5:14. That if we ask anything according to your will, you will hear us. And if You hear us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of You. Father God, thank you for hearing the supplication of your children as we pray, and we receive forgiveness.
When we as a people have been attacked by any spiritual enemy because we have sinned against you by turning to other people, nations and government for help, and when we turn back to you and give praise to your name, praying and making supplication to you then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people and may restoration, healing and deliverance for our homes, children, communities and churches be once again restored to its original intent.
Forgive us Father for murdering our unborn children in the name of convenience and for our support of people and organizations that constantly rally for abortion. Forgive us for not returning to the Bible as the example as how to educate our children, stabilize our homes, grow our churches, and build our marriages. Teach us the right way to live, and help us to look to you only as our leader, guide, provider and sustainer.
When distresses or an enemy comes against any of our cities or whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea goes out from your people, thank you for bring forth the change we so desperately need. Finally, may we as an African American community truly be united as a people who know what their God can do! In Jesus’ Name….Amen!
God bless and may you continue to hear His Voice.
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