Nehemiah knew that only God could stem the tide and reverse the decay. Only God could mercifully forgive and return His glory to the land. Only God. Only God.
As you survey the land today, what do you suppose this is a time to do?
The Bible is not just written for our inspiration and comfort. It is here to model to us what we are to do and be. To instruct us in effective living and ministry.
The prophet, Daniel, found himself in a culture and season that parallels ours in many respects. The words in Daniel, Chapter 9, give us powerful instruction on exactly what we should be doing right now.
It is one of the ways of God. Periodically in history He opens the windows of heaven and comes down with His manifest presence. We call these moments “revival” as it affects the church and “spiritual awakening” as it impacts people without Christ.
Spiritual results happen at an accelerated pace with stunning results. These outpourings bring a course correction to nations and most importantly, they glorify God. Nationwide movements usually happen at the worst times in a culture, when they realize the church realizes their only hope is God and lift a united cry of desperation.
AND WHAT IF ... we would repent of not loving God with a whole heart and of not loving others with a whole heart? And what if God would respond by sending a mighty nationwide (or worldwide) spiritual revival to the church and massive spiritual awakening to those far from God?
And, what if this return to Him and others started with ME?
The last months have been filled with countless opinions of how we should view and respond to our national (and international) tragedy. Health and government officials have interpreted for us the nature of the problem and the potential solutions. We have been fixated on these reports each day and we have been directed by men’s opinions and best ideas.
All of this is good and helpful. But where is the Divine Voice? Are we hearing God’s opinions of these days and turning to Him for Divine solutions?
Will the Lord find us as men and women—and even leaders—who will admit our sin, humble ourselves, and cry out for God's mercy? Or will we move forward in unrelenting pride? If we turn and pray, He has promised to hear and heal.
It’s time to build an altar of fresh repentance and humble surrender to the Lord. It’s time to pray for the land.
It is sad to lose something that you value … Your health. Your relationships. Your financial employment and possessions. Maybe even your home. Your ability to be with others.
But there is one loss that is greater than all the rest ...
What do you do when you are in crisis? When the people around you are suffering? Or rebelling? When the nation you live in is spiraling downward spiritually and under the righteous judgment of God?
If you scan the Bible, you will discover that the men God used had an immediate and singular response.
They prayed.
