Lord, Heal Our Land

“I will put my laws in their minds and I will write them upon their hearts. I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Hebrews 8:10

In the beginning of Ezekiel chapter 37, Ezekiel describes his vision of a lifeless valley of very dry bones. It’s a desert. As Ezekiel gazes at this desolation, God asks him, “Can these bones live? Can they ever have life in them again?” Ezekiel answers that only God could ever know that. But looking at the bones, it seems as if all hope is gone. 

When we look at the present landscape, it seems just as bleak as this valley of dry bones. Of course economies around the world have suffered but ours is especially vulnerable. Unemployment has remained high in the Philippines, sadly it is almost twice the level of surrounding countries. 10.2 million of our countrymen had to seek jobs abroad which means fragmented families and millions of children deprived of parental supervision and support. It is heartbreaking that we are also in the midst of a learning crisis with our students consistently ranking low in international assessments.  Our health care system is also weak. In 2022, the Philippines ranked 58th out of the 60 cities analyzed worldwide with the poorest public transit systems. All this can be traced to widespread corruption. We hold the dishonor of being the second most corrupt country in Southeast Asia after Cambodia 😭😭😭

We hope we are over the worst of the effects of poor leadership, but we will feel its impact in generations to come. “Can we have life as we know it again” we echo the words in Ezekiel. 

If we look at this scenario, let us gaze through God’s eyes instead. Nothing is impossible with God. Only He can bring a fresh, new wind, the Holy Spirit, through this desolation. He says, “Hear My Word, read My Word, and I will dwell among you, and guide you, and you shall be My people once again…I will put My laws in your minds and I will write them upon your hearts. I will be your God, and you shall be My people.” 

Instead of helplessness, if we focus on God, He will be sure and give hope. If He can bring a valley of dry bones to life again, it will be easy for Him to get our country and people on track again if we turn to Him. “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 will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)