Sunday, May 17 has been set aside as a day to rededicate the United States of America back to God. It is patterned after the event that took place 250 years ago on May 17, 1776, when the Continental Congress declared a day of fasting, prayer, and repentance for this nation to turn their hearts back to God just weeks before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

I believe that one of two things will happen on this May 17. The first possibility is it will be a token show. The scripture that comes to mind is when Jesus says in Matthew 15:8, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” This was originally spoken by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 29:13. God spoke of the people’s hypocrisy of placing tradition and man-made rules over keeping the word of the Lord. Their worship was empty and in vain.

So, if an empty, token show is the motive behind this May 17, there will be nothing left behind from all the preparations that have been made. There will be no heart changes – hearts will still be far from God and the nation will continue to drift further from Him.

But there’s a second possibility of what might happen during this day of rededication to the Lord. If it is a sincere rededication, there’s a chance of producing true heart renewal.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “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.” True repentance that comes from the heart and a return to the Lord is the only real hope for this nation.

Many people think of “revival” as an event. There is worship that stirs the emotions and preaching that convicts the soul. It may go on for days, building momentum as lives are touched by an outpouring of God’s Spirit. But the test of time will prove if it was just an event or if it produced heart renewal and transformation.

True revival is an individual happening – one heart at a time. It begins with the conviction that we need forgiveness and the realization that we need a Savior. The only Savior that ever was or ever will be is Jesus Christ, God’s One and only Son, who willingly gave His life so we can live.

As we acknowledge our need for forgiveness and cry out to Jesus in true repentance, we will receive the heart renewal that’s needed to bring about transformation in our lives. Then one by one, heart by heart, life by life, as each dedicates our lives to God, that is when true revival will sweep across this nation.

So, each of us has a decision to make as May 17 approaches. Will we watch a token show and give lip service to it, or will we participate in true heart renewal and revival? There is a 2 Chronicles 7:14 call going out to America right now to humble ourselves, to fast and pray and seek God’s face, to turn from sin and wickedness, and to return to the Lord. 

Will you answer the call? As one by one we do so, then we can expect to see what God will do in response to our obedience.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 845-482-5300.