"Roots"

People hunger for a way of life,

That they touched along the way,

Maybe at their grandpa’s farm,

In a far-off yesterday.

Maybe they remember,

Their hometown rodeo,

When they flew the flag a-horseback,

A long, long time ago.

Or when once on vacation,

On a rural road out west,

They saw the sun-burned cowboys,

Crossing cattle at their best.

Perhaps from someone’s garden,

They ate tomatoes sweet,

Or drank some cold spring water,

And thought it can’t be beat.

A life that once was closer,

To the soil and what it grows,

And even that the right and wrong,

Creation’s God would show.

When men would look you in the eye,

And firmly shake your hand,

And if he gave his word to you,

It meant with you he’d stand.

And people bowed their head and prayed,

Because there was belief,

That if you put your trust in God,

He would bring relief.

When the leather of the Bible,

And the leather of Dad’s belt,

Were more than someone’s theory,

But something that you felt.

Is it too late to go back there,

And regain what was lost,

To find that down home way to live,

Might sure be worth the cost.

God said if His people,

Would call on Him and pray,

Turn from all their selfishness,

He would make their land okay.

So maybe Cracker Barrel,

Is better than Starbucks,

And cowboy boots and country roots,

Will bring us better luck.

“Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and see My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NLT)

The promise was made to Solomon when he had completed the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. For this reason some people believe that this promise from God cannot be claimed for our current situation. I don’t agree with this conclusion, but even if I did, it’s still a very good idea to humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face and turn from sins. No one doubts our land needs healing. Let’s all pray God will help us.

Lord, forgive our sins and heal our land, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tim Cox, timcox.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Tim, and God bless you.