Pt.2 National Rededications Gone Wrong

Preface: Many Christians in the United States are looking forward to "Rededicate 250," a spiritual rededication ceremony to be held in Washington, D.C., on May 17, 2026. The involvement of the White House and members of Congress has drawn significant political commentary. I am not writing this as a member of any political party. In all the commentary chaos, Heaven's perspective often ends up underrepresented, so I am writing from what we know of Heaven's perspective on reconciliation. Some Christians are willing to approach "Rededicate 250" with blind optimism, and others with blind cynicism. I do not yet know how I feel about "Rededicate 250," as many of the most important questions remain unanswered. I do not wish failure on the event. I attended 07/07/07 in Nashville, "TheCall DC" in August 2008, among other similar events. I hope "Rededicate 250" succeeds. So far, I have yet to hear anyone involved in "Rededicate 250" articulate the biblical conditions for the event's success. So let's look at a historical example where national rededication went wrong.

Misunderstanding "Dedication"

What actually is a "national rededication" from a biblical perspective? Dedication designates someone or something for a specific purpose. When a person dedicates themselves to God, they dedicate themselves to His purposes and His ways. Why do most of the dedications today sound more like asking God to bless our ambition, like praying over a meal? It's no wonder, then, that these phony dedication ceremonies don't have the desired effect. Such was the case in Jeremiah's generation.

To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it... Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me. - Jeremiah 6:10,20

The national leaders in Jeremiah's generation thought they already had all the answers. They didn't care to know God's purpose and way. They were too preoccupied with their ambition to notice their deviation from God, and their people suffered because of it.

They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,” says the Lord. - Jeremiah 6:14-15

Even in their failure, God pleaded with Judah to rededicate themselves to Him in truth.

Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’ " - Jeremiah 6:16-17

True dedication to God involves exchanging our ambition for His higher purposes and ways. National leaders who hope to lead a national rededication must begin by making an ongoing commitment to submit to God's ways. Failure to make this commitment leads to repeated "blessing ceremonies" that fundamentally misunderstand what dedication is. Jeremiah made this distinction plainly visible to Judah's leaders.

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” - Jeremiah 9:23-24

The truth is, God is not impressed by our might. Our preoccupation with our ambition only signals that we lack God's perspective. So what is God impressed by?

His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. - Psalm 147:10-11

I pray that the leaders involved in "Rededicate 250" would recognize where they have ignored God's voice in favor of their ambition, and that the event would represent an ongoing commitment to God's purposes and ways, evident in their behavior from that day forward. More to come.