If you follow the history of Israel in the Old Testament, you will notice a clear trend. When the people were truly following God, they prospered in all they did. When they fell away and worshipped false gods, they suffered humiliating defeat at the hands of their enemies.
Here is one very popular promise that is the basis for some great prayer movements. It applied to ancient Israel, and there is no reason why it would not apply to us as a nation (any nation) today.
If my people, who 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 sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Note that it is referring to God's people. That is all that's required! We needn't expect the enemies of God in our nation to humble themselves and pray. If God's own people commit to doing it, that is enough! The rest will then fall into place.
Now, let's move from a relatively well known verse to a relatively unknown, but fascinating, prophecy in Zechariah:
It will be, that whoever of all the families of the earth doesn't go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Yahweh of Armies, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt doesn't go up, and doesn't come, neither will it rain on them. This will be the plague with which Yahweh will strike the nations that don't go up to keep the feast of tents. This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations that don't go up to keep the feast of tents. (Zechariah 14:17-19)
I believe this prophecy is being fulfilled today, in the Church Age. "Jerusalem" is in the New Testament equated to the true Church of Jesus Christ. "Rain" is a symbol of God's blessings. With that in mind, here are a few scenarios to consider:
• The United States was founded as a Christian nation, with its Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and laws based largely on the Bible. It grew to become the greatest nation in the world.
• Over the past few decades, the USA has largely tried to push God, and especially Jesus, out of the picture in the name of "tolerance." What has that bought us? Exponential increases in crime and the national debt, for starters. And loss of jobs to countries such as India (which, by the way, is in many ways opening up to Christ).
• Uganda's AIDS rate 10 years ago was over 25%. In the last few years, the country has been committed to Christ. People are changing their ways and God is moving. The AIDS rate today is under 6%.
• North Africa was once a breadbasket of the Roman Empire. There was much Christian influence in the area, including the great theologian Augustine. Since then, however, Islam has spread throughout the land -- and the Sahara Desert has spread with it! It's interesting that the prophecy specifically mentions Egypt, which of course is in North Africa.
Coincidence? You decide.
Do you want your nation to prosper? Then get as many citizens of that nation as possible to confidently proclaim that Jesus Christ is the answer!
All Scripture is taken from the World English Bible (WEB).
Author : Micah Yoder; 11/11/2004
Extracted from http://jesusislife.net/articles/ChristIsTheAnswer.html
Note : Singapore had just celebrated her 45th National Day on Monday, 9 Aug 2010 and is expecting the economy to grow between 13 per cent and 15 per cent this year. Singapore's foreign reserves as at Jul 2010 is about US$ 206,933.90 million and is one of the top ten richest countries in the world. Christian population is approximately 14.6% based on census of population 2000 as compared to 12.7% in 1990.
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