This whole election
reminded me of a few instances in the Bible.
In Numbers 13, Moses
sent out 12 spies to scout out the land of Canaan, to see if it’s a fertile or
poor land. 10 of the spies came back with the bad report of yes, it’s a good
land, but the people there are like giants, and beside them there were like grasshoppers.
When the people heard the bad news, “all the members of the community
raised their voices and wept aloud.” (Numbers 14:1).
In Genesis 18:16-33, God told
Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their sin was so
grievous. Abraham, upon hearing this, began to intercede for the cities.
Did you notice that during this whole election and even post election, there were more than ever before people praying? Church
prayer meetings, interchurch prayer meetings, prayer in the offices, prayer in
the schools, prayer organized by groups of individuals from different churches.
It seemed like everyone was so on the edge about this election. Even
non-believers were seen praying, whether they believe in Christ or not. The
whole nation was crying out for justice.
When the sins of a nation
reach its fullness, God provokes intercessors to pray for their land. At the
same time, the clouds of judgment are also drawing near.
When we talk about sins of a nation, it’s not just the sins
of individuals. It also includes the sins in the land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked
ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their
land.” It says heal their
land, that means the land is sick.
How did the land
get sick? Lev 18:27 “All these detestable activities are practiced
by the people of the land where I am taking you, and this is how the land has
become defiled.” When people
sin, it not only defiles themselves, it defiles the land as well. This can show up in the physical in the form of natural disasters and destruction of our natural environment.
Who are the people
whose sins will defile the land? Lev 18:26-27. “ But
you must keep my decrees and my laws. The native-born and the foreigners
residing among you must not do any of these detestable things, for
all these things were done by the people
who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled.” Locals, foreigners, people who used to live
there all can defile the land.
What are the detestable
sins that are in this land? You can see it with your own eyes –
corruption, bribe, greed, racism, witchcraft, idolatry, adultery, slander, and
the list goes on and on. Not only sins that are happening now but sins that
were committed before us. Let me give you a few more examples.
In 1964 a monument of oath was established in Sabah to
commemorate the first anniversary of Sabah autonomy and the establishment of
Malaysia. The oath taking ceremony was conducted by a local witch, it covered
witchcraft, and it recognized the power of the gods and the willingness to
worship them, while praying to the gods to protect this land and the people.
During the ceremony, the witch killed a white rooster in front of the stone of
oath, and sprinkled its blood on the stone to indicate the strengthening of the
agreement with the gods.
In the recent election, rumors of bomohs (witchdoctors) being
imported in to curse the land were being circulated.
Obviously, our motherland Malaysia is defiled. Otherwise there would not be so many people
crying out. Until our land is cleansed of these detestable sins, it is very
difficult for God’s rule to reign here.
Next I want to show you the bigger power that is behind all
these.
