• Samson was abandoned when he persisted in his disobedience.
• Israel was abandoned when she would not stop going after other gods.
• Jesus Himself was temporarily abandoned on the cross. For our sin, the Father turned His ear from the cryings of His only begotten Son.
• North Korea was abandoned when its leadership turned its people away from worship of the one true God and caused them to worship human idols that took over the country.
• The United States is in the process of losing its protection as it allows more and more of the things that God hates. December 7 and September 11 are only two of the tragedies that have befallen our country. One thing that is playing itself out as I write today is the inability of God-fearing moral men to find a candidate to run for the Presidency. Some of us may have had trouble with Billy Graham's ecumenical ways, but where now is the "prophet" who whispers in the ears of our leaders the things of God? Where is a national voice of righteousness being raised up that people are hearing? Unless America repents there will be many more tragedies.

So how does the abandonment of God get reversed? We use the same cast of characters:

• Samson repented. For the rest of his life he wanted to be God's man and win God's victories. God gave him that chance and came back to him.
• Israel followed hard after God in Babylon and God heard her cries for restoration. Another chance, another temple, revival! God's people prayed.
• When our sins were paid for, Jesus was released from the old beaten bloody body, and was glorified and resurrected. Perfect obedience.
• Consider also the persecution of the Roman Empire. As God's people preached the Gospel "underground" the entire Empire was salted down and made worth saving.
• Ex-Communist countries of our day have the same testimony. Freedom came to them as the underground church became such a factor as not to be ignored any longer. Life erupted out of the death in persecution.
• Today there are believers inside of North Korea spreading the Word of God, praying, believing God for a great national miracle. They are repenting that they ever followed and believed the government. It seems to me that our job now is to keep feeding that surge of life until it too erupts. Keep the Bibles flowing into North Korea. Keep sending men and women in. The refugees who come out must be reached for Christ. Many will go back in and lay their necks down for Jesus. And North Korea will be abandoned no longer.
• As for America. May she only look at Chosun and see her future if she does not straighten up her act. Mercy! Mercy! Today pray for America, perhaps so very ripe for judgment. Could it be that a time will come when the prosperity of this nation will be swallowed up and totally forgotten in unimaginable poverty? Why not?