The Buck Stops Here!

President Truman had a sign on his desk with the words, “The Buck Stops Here” embellished across it. The actual saying goes back to frontier days and had to do with assigning who the dealer in a game of poker. If it came a person’s turn to deal and they did not wish to, they could “pass the buck” on to the next person. President Truman used the saying to indicate his intention to take care of business when it hit his desk rather than passing it on down the line to someone else.

The church has been guilty of passing the buck for a long time. If we carefully read the verse we are all so familiar with concerning national revival, we would recognize this. Think carefully about this verse so you understand what I am saying before moving on: “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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Take note there is no reference to Washington or any governmental office or power. There is no reference to who is in the White House. The only reference in this verse is “my people” indicating the people of God. If my people will carry out the obligations of this verse, national forgiveness, healing and revival are promised.

For too long, the church has been passing the buck for our national problems off on the wrong people. It is time for the church to recognize only we can stop the buck. The Washington establishment will change when God’s people take responsibility for the condition of our nation. The crime rates will drop; the addiction problems will cease; domestic violence will decline—if my people change!

Church, it is time for the buck to stop and only you and I can do that. Quit passing blame and look inward. Discover what it truly means to follow Jesus in purity of heart and mind.