Former U.S. vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin recently gave the keynote address at the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. After her speech she was asked a number of questions, including what she thought the top three priorities of Congress should be. One was to stop spending, another was to develop an independent energy policy and the third was to seek divine intervention.

"I think, kind of tougher to put our arms around, but allowing America's spirit to rise again by not being afraid to kind of go back to some of our roots as a God-fearing nation where we're not afraid to say, especially in times of potential trouble in the future here, where we're not afraid to say, you know, we don't have all the answers as fallible men and women, so it would be wise of us to start seeking some divine intervention again in this country, so that we can be safe and secure and prosperous again. To have people involved in government who aren't afraid to go that route, not so afraid of the political correctness that, you know, they have to be afraid of what the media said about them if they were to proclaim their alliance to our Creator."

Her words are generating a lot of controversy. The liberal blogs have castigated her for her comments, and not all conservatives are happy with them either. But is it really wrong to admit "we don't have all the answers as fallible men and women, so it would be wise of us to start seeking some divine intervention again in this country"?

Isn't that what God wants us to do? Most Americans believe in God. If we want to please God, why not admit that we need His help?

Notice what God inspired the prophet Isaiah to write: "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts'" (Isaiah 55:6-9).

Throughout the Bible, God calls upon His people to repent, which means to turn away from sin, and return to Him. Jesus Christ Himself called upon the people of His day to "repent, and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15).

Imagine what this nation would be like if we determined to follow just one or two of God's Ten Commandments. Take the command "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15). There would no longer be a need for locks on our doors, security programs for our computers or worries about abductions. There would no longer be embezzling or theft.

What about the command "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14)? We would not have to see couples go down in flames over infidelities. There would no longer be child porn or striptease clubs. The family would be protected and, therefore, our nation would be stronger.

Why can't we "go back to some of our roots as a God-fearing nation"? Why can't we admit that we have problems and quit deviating from God's law of love? Remember what Jesus Christ told the young man in Matthew 19:17-19? Here, Jesus said, "But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." When the young man asked Him which commandments, Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

We don't have to wait for what Congress should do. We can start now in our personal lives to get back to God. God's commandments are for our good and for our benefit. The apostle John wrote in 1 John 5:3: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."

The United Church of God has prepared a booklet that details the need for all of us to keep God's commandments. The Ten Commandments reveals why God's law is still relevant for us today and why God wants us to turn back to Him. Let's forsake our wicked ways and seek the Lord while He may be found!