Unless one is living in complete isolation from reality, something is afoot in the nations of the world. We see radical elements being imported into university campuses taking emotional control of discontented students causing them to occupy their campus and restrict Jewish students from freely attending class. 

The borders in the United States are now fluid allowing an uncontrolled invasion of our borders. Many of those crossing our borders are simply seeking a better life. However, embedded in the larger invasion are those with less than integrous intent. England is farther down the road in this process having allowed anyone to enter their nation for decades. Some of those invaders are now being elected to office. The danger has been imported like a Trojan horse. It is no longer an invasion from the outside. It is among us.

David was pleading to God in prayer for things he saw taking place in his nation. He was so concerned that his heart was pounding in his chest as the terror of what was happening was assaulting him. Fear and trembling had so overwhelmed David that he could not stop physically shaking. He wished he could fly away like a dove and escape, but he couldn’t.
 

God was David’s only source of help. He prayed this prayer, “Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans, for I see violence and conflict in the city. Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness within the city” (Psalm 55:9-10). David was a mighty warrior who lived in intimate fellowship with God but he was shaking in fear and felt “overwhelmed by my troubles” (vs. 2). It doesn’t get that bad for a warrior of the Lord unless he has a real reason for his fear. David was not numb to what was happening. While we do our best to protect our family and the nation, the real enemy is already here.

Being “overwhelmed” by our troubles is what most of our citizens will experience when democracies fail, and disorder rules the streets. The Church has allowed itself to become numb under misguided teachings regarding the realities of a spiritual life. That numbing unawareness has defined our disconnection as the most spiritual response. 

While this is happening, we need to be awakened to two things – the presence of God in our troubles and placing our hope solely in God when we come to realize nothing in the natural order will change what is happening. Only God can turn the tide.

In Church history, it was the prophets who first announced what was happening in their nation. Their announcements were met with disdain, mockery, and dismissal as their words began to stir a numbed Church.  We must ask the Lord to wake us from our numbed condition.

Great suffering is coming, and it can only be interrupted by a Church that is aware and sensitive to what is taking place. When our sensitivity to the issues of life is personally felt and finally understood, we can then begin to pray and act against the issues that will eventually bring pain, sorrow, and suffering. Only an aware Church can move in that direction.