Following the losses to Israel and Syria (Aram), Judah’s king Ahaz still rejected God. The Lord continued to humble Judah because of Ahaz. The small land of Edom invaded Judah and took captives. The Philistines invaded in the south and took land belonging to Judah. Instead of calling on God for help, Ahaz still rejected God; held God in contempt.
Ahaz tried to appease Assyria for help. He robbed the temple, the royal palace and the homes of his officials to buy off Assyria. But that did not work. He closed the temple and set up shrines to pagan gods. All of this led to his ruin. God’s anger was aroused at the abject wickedness of this king.
Lord, in the morning watches I shall seek you as friend and ally. I ask that my beloved country and its leaders seek you as friend and ally.
A 2020 Call for men and women with the “Obed Factor”
Today angry mobs are in the streets, rioting over certain injustices committed. But they go to far. Destruction of their very own countrymen robs the moment and the movement of its important significance. We cannot be a nation of lawlessness. We also cannot be a nation without humane recourse. But mob rule, mob justice, will not govern by either.
We read in 2 Chronicles 28 that the Lord was not pleased with Ahaz, king of the southern Israelite nation of Judah (vv1-4). Because of the heinous sins of Ahaz God used an alliance between Syria (Aram) and Israel to bring remedial judgment on Ahaz and Judah. Israel of course was the rival northern Israelite nation bordering Judah. The nation of Israel was more than happy to join in the fight against Judah. [The prophet Isaiah offered a way out for Ahaz, if he would but call upon God for deliverance. But Ahaz rejected Isaiah’s words of counsel – Isa 7:1-12]
The result was that Israel slaughtered 120,000 warriors of Judah, took 200,000 women and children captive, intending to make slaves of them and seized enormous amounts of plunder. But this victory went too far as they were indulging their own lust for superiority. So when they returned to the capital city of Samaria the prophet Obed met them. This is the only place we read of this particular prophet. Few would recognize his name.
Listen to these words of Obed (vv9-11):
“The Lord, the God of your ancestors, was angry with Judah and let you defeat them. But you have gone too far, killing them without mercy, and all heaven is disturbed. And now you are planning to make slaves of these people from Judah and Jerusalem. What about your own sins against the Lord your God? Listen to me and return these prisoners you have taken, for they are your own relatives. Watch out, because now the Lord’s fierce anger has been turned against you!” (NLT)
We have seen angry and arrogant mobs are in the streets of our cities rioting over certain injustices committed. They are right to protest injustice. In America we have the right to peacefully protest. But, like Israel, these mobs go too far. They kill, hurt and maim their own countrymen. They destroy, lute and burn the businesses of their own countrymen. They ignore the rule of law and put the lives of all their own countrymen in danger. We cannot be a nation of lawlessness. We also cannot be a nation without humane recourse. But mob rule, mob justice, will not govern by either.
What is the “Obed Factor”?
#AgentOfCompassion
Who is this Obed? The name Obed means, “servant; worshipper.” Obed was a man of God, a servant and worshipper of God. “His prophecy [is merely] an argument [for] brotherly kindness and affection, and yet few men have ever rendered a nobler service to their fellow men than that recorded of him.”– The Biblical Illustrator. Obed goes alone with no one to stand with him. He faces the prospect of ridicule and mocking. There is no hint of fame for him but only to forgo the further harm and desecration of Judah, their Israelite brothers.
He goes alone but in the background there are four other men of conscience. Perhaps there are many others, but they are afraid to speak (much like our day today). Yet, four men are named in Scripture who cut across the grain of the moment. They come forward to stand with Obed. I will name them here because Scripture does so (v12). Their fathers are also named. All this reminds me of the sacred trust I have for my sons and daughters and that speaking up for what is right, just and good is worthy of recognition. They are, “Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berekiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai.”
The end result was that the prisoners were released. The four men mentioned were the ones who came forward to lead out in the distribution of clothes from the plunder to the naked prisoners. They gave the prisoners sandals to wear, food to eat and dressed their wounds. The prisoners were taken and returned to their own people in Judah. Lives and honor were saved that day.
The“Obed Factor” is the comportment of an individual or group of individuals who have a vital relationship with God and the presence of mind to speak clearly and take action for God when called upon by his Spirit. The Obed voice is that voice in our country and in our communities that speaks out in humanitarian mercy for God and the good of all. #AgentOfCompassion
Where are the Obeds Among Us?
As I look over the landscape of 2020 I ask the question, “Where are the Obeds among us?”
Who among us in 2020 has the Obed courage of his/her convictions? Who among us in 2020 can and will take some Obed action to curb the base instincts of man? Who among us in 2020 has the presence of mind to speak, not in hot-blooded condescension, but in a calm, clear Obed voice, speak nobly?
OBED: Kentucky Attorney General, Daniel Cameron, is an Obed in our midst. He shows courage in the hour of difficulty. He said this on September 23, 2020,
“..If we simply act on emotion or outrage there is no justice. Mob justice is not justice. Justice sought by violence is not justice. It just becomes revenge. In our system, criminal justice isn’t a quest for revenge. It is a quest for truth, evidence and facts and the use of that truth as we fairly apply laws. Our reaction to the truth is what kind of society we want to be. Do we really want the truth or a truth it fits our narrative? Do we want the facts or accept our own version of events? We, as a community, must make this decision.”
OBED: Minister, Rev. Franklin Graham, is an Obed in our midst. He shows courage in the hard times. He will lead a prayer vigil through the Washington D.C. National Mall, Saturday, September 26, 2020. The vigil and walk will start at 12:00 noon (EST). You can watch the prayer vigil on live stream, hosted by Mike Huckabee & Cissis Graham Lynch.
I cannot attend prayer vigil in person but I intend to watch the live feed and spend time on Saturday, Sep 26, in fasting and prayer for our country, its leaders and its cities. Lord, may this sentry be an Obed voice, an Obed spirit, and have the heart of an Obed on behalf of my beloved country and the community in which I live.
Judah, for her sin, and for the godless, even heinous sin of her king, Ahaz, were suffering under the hand of God. Their severe judgment came in large measure at the hand of their own rival countrymen, Israel. But Israel’s victory went too far. She mercilessly slaughtered thousands and intended to make slaves out of thousands more taken captive.
BUT, a man of God, a prophet, Obed, mentioned only here in these few verses, stands alone in a crowded mob who are arrogantly celebrating a bloody victory. His cry is for Israel to consider her own sin. Might God now turn his anger on Isreael? His call is for the humanitarian treatment and return of thousands of prisoners of their own national heritage, to Judah.
Would Obed be shouted down, silenced, “canceled”? Or would he be recognized and his voice be heard? Four leaders in their community courageously stood with Obed’s noble course of action. Lives and honor were saved. O Lord, would that this sentry have the same courage to stand up and speak for what is right, just and fair.
Summary Point: Read the Scripture. Learn the platforms. Watch the policies. [Pray for wisdom]. Vote there. As Christ-followers we will never find ourselves on the wrong side of Scripture, which is where we will all be judged.
[Democrat v. Republican Platforms & Policies] As a Christian, I don’t vote for people or parties. I vote for platforms and policies most closely aligning with the teaching of Scripture.
The party platform tells me what a person believes in relation to the Scripture. The policy is the execution (or not) of that platform, telling me what that person ultimately believes in relation to the Scripture.
If a person says [he/she] supports a platform but doesn’t execute it in policy, I stop voting for that person. People lie. Parties lie. Platforms can lie. But policy always tells you the truth.
Read the Scripture. Learn the platforms. Watch the policies. [Pray for wisdom]. Vote there. As Christ-followers we will never find ourselves on the wrong side of Scripture, which is where we will all be judged.
Paul closes his letter to the Romans with a long list of folks whom he deeply respected, loved and appreciated. Romans 16:7 is representative. There are too many to list here, but they have been called a “Galaxy of Saints” (Griffith Thomas). Paul mentions attributes of each.
My take away causes me to reflect on the “Galaxy of Saints” who have been instrumental in my life. Pastors, mentors, fellow laborers in prison ministry, close friends in Christ, parents and my dear wife. What an array. Indeed a galaxy of saints for whom I give thanks to the Lord. They are treasures more precious than gold.
In the quiet of the night watches a thoughtful sentry might reflect on those great lights who have influenced his/her life.
Some of Paul’s closing words to the Christians in Rome are, “I am eager to visit you, to enjoy your fellowship“ (v23,24). But first he must go to Jerusalem. Paul’s final prayer request is that he be “rescued from unbelieving Jews” there. Then, “BY THE WILL OF GOD,” he would go to Rome with a “JOYFUL” heart to rest and enjoy time with them.
Paul expects one thing. But God works according to his own will and purposes. In Jerusalem, resentful Pharisees incite a riot against Paul (Acts 21:27,30). This leads to his arrest and appeal to Cesar. Ultimately Paul’s trip to Rome became reality, but as a prisoner in chains. Paul’s response? “I am [JOYFULLY] willing even to die for the sake of Christ” (Acts 21:13). Lord, keep me joyfully flexible along the path of the journey.
This sentry’s prayer may be limited by perspective, but it’s unlimited by God’s eternal scope.
In these verses Paul reveals the primary motivating factor in our prayers for others. Prayer is motivated by our love towards others, GIVEN by the Holy Spirit (also Gal 5:22). The Spirit himself is motivated to glorify Jesus (Jhn 16:14).
Sometimes this love is a reconciling love, praying for those hard to love (Mat 5:44); sometimes a tough love for those who have drifted away (Gal 6:1); sometimes a pastoral love for those seeking to walk in faith (Jhn 17:9); sometimes a redemptive love for those lost in sin (Jhn 17:20). Ultimately, sentry prayers are inspired in love by the Holy Spirit and glorify Jesus. Paul says, God’s will be done.
With the trip to Jerusalem foremost in his mind, Paul requests earnest prayer. He is headed back into the teeth of Pharisee country, his former Jewish party. To unbelieving Jewish countrymen He was not Paul the apostle, but Paul the apostate. He was also concerned that some Jewish believers might be offended by prejudices at the offering sent by Gentile believers to them.
Believers today may feel cornered by spiritual forces of darkness. These can only be defeated in prayer. So Paul asks friends, Believers, to “join in the struggle by praying.“ Praying for others is to take part in their battles of life and also ministry. “Prayer is not preparation for the battle, it is the battle” – (Ravenhill/Chambers).
Lord, may my sentry prayer be fervent and earnest taking every opportunity to consistently and eagerly contend for the welfare of others; that they might stand mature and complete in the will of God (Col 4:12).
This is not a topic about which I was ready to speak. I have thought about it for several months now. It likely won’t be received with much enthusiasm. I take no pleasure in bringing the topic up. But Speaker of the House of Representatives, Congress Woman from San Francisco, Nancy Pelosi, has put the topic on the table.
Here is what Nancy Pelosi said about the recent hurricanes and out of control fire disasters in California, Washington and Oregon. “Mother earth is angry. She’s telling us the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast, the fires in the west (whatever it is) that climate crisis is real and has an impact.”
But could it be that it is the Sovereign God of the Bible that is the one who is angry? And it would not be about a “climate crisis.” Consider also the worldwide COVID pandemic, economic upheaval, rioting, violence and unchecked crime in the streets of our major cities? All these kinds of disasters have intensified dramatically. Might God be trying to tell to us something?
HOW GOD MIGHT VIEW OUR WORLD
America has long since left her spiritual roots. She has drifted far from her godly heritage. BUT REALLY, has she drifted that far? Well, let me ask, how should God view abortion on demand in America, or rampant and open homosexuality? How should God view no mention of Him in the classrooms of America, or prayer? How should God understand the political correctness that no longer tolerates a Christian witness in the market place? What might God be thinking of corrupt leadership in government and corporate America? What might God’s heart be regarding the failed family unit in our world? Is God trying to tell us something?
We are living in perilous times and subject to perilous men. Hear the words of the apostle Paul in Second Timothy 3:3-9:
1) You should know this, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2) For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3) They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4) They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5) They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
6) They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7) They are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth. 8) These teachers oppose the truth just as [those who] opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 9) But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they have been. (NLT)
What must the sentry on the watch do? It is not my role to condemn or judge. It is my task to just simply sound an alarm; ask the question. What the apostle Paul says in Second Timothy sounds perilously like our world today.
QUESTIONS TO CONTEMPLATE
Here is a question for us to contemplate: If God was angry at America, what might it look like? If God were to remove his hand of blessing from America, what might that look like? Might it look a lot like the disasters we are witnessing today? I’m just asking.
We may also ask, where is the voice of the church in the midst of these disasters? Where are the calls for prayer to an almighty God to intervene? Where are the ministers and Christians in the cities, calling for peace and putting their lives in God’s service to work for peace and bring people together around the Gospel of Christ?
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE INTERCESSORS WORLDWIDE working overtime in prayer. They are offering up mighty intercessions for America and other nations around the world. I have myself participated in many of these calls to prayer. What I am saying is this. Where are the days when pastors, prominent leaders, government officials and even news castors were standing up and calling for prayers that God might intervene? Their voices are nowhere to be heard. What does that mean for America?
WHAT IS GOD TELLING ME?
The single greatest need of America is revival and spiritual awakening. America and many of America’s churches have drifted far away from God. Many Americans openly oppose the name of Jesus. While there is still time, the church and America must repent and return to a humble and godly reverence [respect] for a sovereign and compassionate God.
What is God saying to me? 2 Timothy 4:1-5 tells me more. It’s not to late to turn back to the God of the Bible.
1) I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2) Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3) For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4) They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5) But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
My eternal charge, next to the spread of the gospel and to watch and pray is to build up, edify, all those in my path. I cannot effectively spread the Good News or, with good conscience, watch and pray, if I am at the same time tearing others down or causing them to stumble.
As I grow in Christ I am responsible to encourage others by my witness, prayers and Christlike example. This is my charge to keep – influence men for Christ. Lord, may this, my charge, be so for you.
Wherever people gather there will be differing opinions; the potential for debate. All of Romans 14–15:13 challenges two such topics: eating meat sacrificed to idols and what days are to be considered as “holy.“ [Today such debates may occur around instruments or no instruments in church, style of worship, hymns vs choruses, et al]. This entire section needs to be understood in the context of Romans 12 and 13.
What should govern every debate? A culture of Christlikeness, genuine love for others, respect for authority, giving God room to work in people’s lives, etc. Rule #1 – Do no harm (13:10). Rule #2 – Consider your own accountability to God (14:12). Rule #3 – Keep the main thing [preaching the gospel] the main thing (15:20). Lord, prevent me from judging others.
We had an incredible thing happen last Friday and we’ve been laughing about it all week.
[Our daughter] has been asking for a parakeet for about a month.* We told her no way. She has not ceased in praying for one every night. She asked [her grandparents]. They gave a hard “No” as well. [Our daughter] explained to us a “certainty” she feels in her heart when she prays. I said – “That’s the Lord- but it doesn’t mean a bird is coming.” I’m always thankful for conversations like this because I love listening to her faith. I still assured her- “We won’t buy you one.” She continued to pray anyway.
Last Friday I had a rough day [COVID & school closures strike again]. I had a very discouraging conversation with a friend. [Her daughter], who has been blessed with some of the best teachers in the world was still crying about online learning. So many struggling that mean the world to me. I couldn’t stop crying. Just a heavyhearted day.
I went by the “Cookie Genius” for the porch pick up and they were sold out of cookies so I jokingly sent a text that said – I’m having the kind of day – I might run my suburban through your front door. I knew [the owner of] the “Cookie Genius” would smile at my ridiculousness.
She actually laughed and then went the extra mile. Later that afternoon [my “cookie genius” friend] brought over a box of her “mistake” cookies. Such a sweet gesture that was so dear to me. I cried telling her about my day and how I’d just gotten off the phone with another friend who’d prayed [for me that] the Lord would surprise me with His goodness.* We then walked to her car.
As we’re standing there talking – she says “Hello beautiful bird about to land on your shoulder.” It actually landed on her car. I then stuck out my finger and it stepped on my finger like we’d known each other forever. It was a parakeet.* Truly unbelievable. [My friend] said, “What in the world?” I said, “I don’t know but [my daughter] has been praying for one of these.” [We both] laughed so hard and marveled at a parakeet coming out of the sky on a 114 degree day.
[Later we] walked in [to my house, gave my daughter the parakeet and told her the story. She] received the bird with tears and thankfulness. [My husband] said we could buy [the bird] a cage if [our daughter would] pray nightly for [my husband to have] a full head of hair.
Can a heavy heart be lifted by a parakeet? It’s the craziest thing, but I can now answer, “Yes”. Turns out God’s eye is on the sparrow and the parakeet and on me,* a mom struggling to figure out how to honor Him in this life we’ve been given.
Meet “Cookie”…a gift of joy and grace to us as long as she stays in our home. Our God is a God of the unexpected…And I’m asking that in this season of crazy – He’d surprise you as well.
Man was created for greater things than he has achieved. So bring your angry divided heart to a banquet of joy in Christ.
“O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority… O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!” (Psalms 8:1-6, 9 NLT)
Lead this dear lady, America, to develop a hunger for and obedience to God’s word
Prevent Satan from blinding her from truth
Lead this dear lady to want to know more and more about Your love and forgiveness
Lead America to think about why she needs Jesus to forgive her sins
Send an anointed messenger who will tell America about Jesus
Lord, make me brave enough to speak to this dear lady, given any opportunity
Convince America she needs to turn from her sin and follow Jesus
Put it into the heart of America to really trust in Jesus
May this dear lady, America, truly believe that Jesus is Lord
Praying From Psalm 145:1-7 (The Message)
May America once again exalt you Oh God and King. May she praise your name forever and ever. May she praise you every day. Yes, praise you forevermore.
You are great Oh Lord! You are most worthy of our praise! No one can measure your greatness. May the generations of children in this nation tell their children of your mighty deeds; may they proclaim your power.
May this beloved nation meditate once again on your majestic glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. May your awe-inspiring deeds be on every tongue; may America proclaim your greatness.
May everyone share the story of your wonderful goodness again; may she sing with Joy about your righteousness.
AMERICA, yea even the world has been experiencing an upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, major social unrest and devastating economic fallout. The entire world has been in lockdown, sheltering in place, to slow the spread of a deadly virus. In midst of this life altering lockdown has come the cries of “police brutality” after the death of an African-American man in Minneapolis. The streets of cities large and small in America and around the world have been filled with protests and violence.
I found myself expressing the notion to some that during this time in
history, the church seems noticeably absent.
With “shelter in place,” cover your face and social distancing orders, people are not only cut off from each other, but Christians have had no voice. In fact they have been told not to gather for worship and if they did gather they were told, “Do not sing.” Couple this with the social unrest and clashes within our culture, there is a perfect storm.
Where is the church? Why, she is locked away at home. Muzzled by a mask and not allowed to get close enough to anyone to have a conversation. Having a conversation is what the church does best. Let alone taking to streets and being at risk of not only a pandemic but also violence. Christians have been neatly stashed away while Satan, the evil one, the enemy of the hearts of men, runs loose in the streets and operates unhindered by the likes of any Holy effort inspired of God.
The church has been reeling. BUT, she is getting her legs back under her. Christians have stepped up with online posts, blogs and webpages. They are online and they are not silent. Pastors are preaching to more folks than ever, online. New avenues of ministry are being sought after.
In addition, the numbers of online prayer calls have increased. Thousands of intercessors around the world are breaking the barriers in the atmosphere of cyber space. Their voices of praise, adoration, confession, repentance and surrender to a holy God are being lifted to the throne room of heaven daily. The church is showing up online with force and the power of the Holy Spirit to win the hearts of men.
We are seeing answers to our prayers.
We are seeing clarification for parents and teachers about starting school up again in the fall. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting there. The spike in COVID-19 cases in Fla and Tex has begun to plateau.
CBN News, July 21, 2020:
Mike Ansari, who runs Mohabat TV, one of the most popular Christian satellite channels in Iran told CBN News that Mohabat TV is recording 10 times more online [conversions to Christ] than this time last year.[1]Ansari says, “We are registering around 3,000 personal decisions by Iranian Muslims to leave Islam for Christianity during this ‘COVIDF revival’” That’s three thousand people each month who have decided to follow Jesus Christ since the pandemic began in March, [2020].
The large number of people leaving Islam is causing a backlash against the church. Dozens of Christians have been arrested and imprisoned for responding to the gospel message since March, [2020].
Kingsley Clement Reports on July 19, 2020, hundreds marching for Jesus over the Brooklyn Bridge.[2] This is the church taking Jesus to the streets
A friend working in Church Relations at the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention reported to me on July 13, 2020, that SBTC pastors and SBTC staffers are proposing, “RETHINK.” Rethink ministry. Re think Evangelism. Rethink opportunity. Rethink church. Rethink, Rethink, Rethink.
So … Where Is The Church In 2020?
“She IS here. She IS present and she IS accounted for.
Jesus Has NOT Forsaken His Beautiful Radiant Bride!”
Friend and fraternity brother posted the following thought on FB recently. I added a couple bracketed comments to it:
“America… God’s incredible miracle….Under attack! A call from Almighty God to humble ourselves!
1st gut punch to [the security of our nation]…9/11
2nd gut punch to [the health of our nation]…COVID-19
[3rd gut punch to the economic stability of our nation…lockdown every business]
[4th gut punch the heart of our nation…Social-Cultural Upheaval]
When will we acknowledge our ways before God?
2Chronicles 7:14 “Humble yourselves… turn from your wicked ways….I will heal your land.”
_______________________
Two people can experience the same tragedy in life but have two totally different responses. One may shake his/her fist in the face of God and curse him, turn their back on him. The other may fall to his/her knees and seek for God’s mercy, grace and deliverance.
This is a time for personal reflection. What is my personal response to what God is doing in 2020? Here’s a sobering thought from the Psalmist, David:
“O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.”
It would be so easy for David [for ME] to sit back point fingers and judge everyone else. BUT…David continues…
“Search [ME], O God, and know [MY] heart; test [ME] and know [MY] anxious thoughts. Point out anything in [ME] that offends you, and lead [ME] along the path of everlasting life”(Psm 139:21-24). [1]
It’s not about everyone else. “It’s me, it’s me O Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.” This is about how I am living MY life.
It is not my place to point my finger at the Church or the world around me. It is for me to be on my knees interceding for the beautiful but often wayward and complacent Bride of Christ, his Church, of which I am a part. It is for me to be on my knees interceding for a broken, hurting, frightened, sin-sick humanity for whom Jesus gave his life on a cruel cross.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”(Mat 11:28). King David said, “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psm 50:15)
ONE TRAGEDY, TWO RESPONSES: Turn a back on God or humbly seek his forgiveness and grace. Lord, may I choose the later. May I humbly put the good of others ahead of my own. May I make the good of thy kingdom my priority. I am weak, but you are strong.
The fate of the world is not yet sealed. God is long suffering with men (Romans 9:22-25). Final judgment has not yet been fixed. While the world may be crumbling around us, the mission of every follower of Christ remains unchanged. The mission of the church is to point men to the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
I am asking God this day to make certain my faithful witness to a lost and confused world. It’s not my job to judge or condemn the church or the world. That is too easy. It is my job to intercede and to witness. It is my job to encourage the church and to share hope with the world. It is up to me to be obedient to what God asks of me.
I don’t know that we have faced as turbulant times as these in 2020. I have personally not seen such turmoil in America since the mid to late 1960s. I was on the streets of Detroit, Michigan during those riots. It was ugly. The images of those days are emblazoned on my memory. I pray the church today is quicker to respond than it was then. But in the 1960s, God was also gathering an army. The 1970s ushered in a powerful movement of God that brought a counter balance to the weight of the revolution of the 1960s. It was called “The Jesus Movement.” It was a cold drink of water in the fires of turmoil; a time of refreshing by the Spirit of God.
DO IT AGAIN LORD!
Lord, your return is near. It may be tonight; it may be yet a ways off. But I pray that there would be in progress, a great gathering of mission-minded young men and women. May they usher in a spiritual awakening that will sweep across the landscape of America like a great prairie fire. May the fires of revival be fanned with the inexhaustible wind of your Spirit in churches across this land. May there be an in gathering, a spiritual harvest, of souls, the likes of which America or the world has never seen. May there be a healing in the hearts of men that will stand the test of time. If the Lord shall tarry, I have my eye on the rising sun of 2025, 2030. What shall be the outcome? May it all be to the honor and fame of your holy name, O Lord.
In1904 a little known man by the name of John Hyde left America to serve as a missionary to India. He was in a place the where the Spirit of God had been prohibited. A call was sent out for prayer. That call resulted in what would be called the Punjab Prayer Union. This union of intercessors, Prayer Sentrieslike us, was the forerunner to the 1905 “Sialkot (sā-âl-coat) Conventions,” where great seasons of prayer and Spirit-filled preaching ignited a revival. John Hyde, “Praying Hyde,”as he was called, and his spirit of prayer, was an inspiration to this movement of God’s Spirit.
From the book, Praying Hyde: A Man of Prayer, by Basil Miller we learn that the members of the Punjab Prayer Unionsought to answer and succeed at five questions or principles. We too, as intercessors, as Prayer Sentries, ought to seek to succeed at these principles:
“1. Are we praying for quickening in our own lives, in the lives of our fellow workers, and in the Church?
“2. Are we longing for greater power of the Holy Spirit in our own lives and work, and are we convinced that we cannot go on without this power?
“3. Will we pray that we may not be ashamed of Jesus?
“4. Do we believe that prayer is the great means for securing [revival in our churches and] spiritual awakening [in the land]?
“5. Will we set [time aside] each day to pray for awakening; willing to pray till the awakening comes?”
Basil Miller goes on to say this: “Revivals have never been the product of [a] spontaneous combustion of spiritual forces; rather [revival] is paid for by prayer…So now in Hyde’s life, as the revival of 1905 was about to dawn, men and women were paying the purchase price.” Just as we are today.
Praying Hyde and two other men joined in prayer for thirty-one days and nights leading up to the Sialkot (sā-âl-coat) Convention of prayer. Miller says, “…that for those days and nights the Throne of God was bombarded in prayer by these three men. Men who had long ago consecrated themselves to the task of bringing spiritual life to sin-deadened souls.” Awakening comes when an investment of time is spent in cleansingand prayer.
Miller concludes, “The record of those thirty-one days and nights of prayer is closed in the Book of Heaven, for no word of them has ever seeped through to the outside. Those [intercessors] were not on dress parade. They went forth to battle with their only weapon [PRAYER], with as much earnestness as soldiers in any king’s army.”
I think it appropriate that another question be added to the five questions of the Punjab Prayer Unionlisted above?
Here is the question:
6. Are we willing that no man know the record of our prayers offered on behalf of our nation and for the churches? Will we be satisfied in all humility that our prayers are offered in our closet, in seclusion, and for the eye of God alone?
Take this list of six questions/principles (above) into your prayer closet with the Lord. Over the next few days converse with God about them. Answer them carefully and honestly. Then watch and pray for an awakening of faith the likes of which man has not seen in this country and the church in over 100 years.
about them. Answer them carefully and honestly. Then watch and pray for an awakening of faith the likes of which man has not seen in this country and the church in over 100 years.
We don’t know how really desperate is our need to see Jesus. Anne Graham Lotz makes the point that even Isaiah, the prophet of God; the intercessor (God’s sentry on the wall) did not fully understand the depths of sin and its toll even on his own life. He had a head knowledge of sin and its solution. But this knowledge needed to make the journey 18 inches from his head to his heart.[1]
Isaiah had just pronounced five chapters of “Woe” on Judah and Israel. BUT when Isaiah himself had a VISION of God he cried out, “WOE UNTO ME!”
Isaiah 6:1-4 says, “It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2) Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having two wings to cover their faces, two wings to covered their feet, and with two wings they flew.
3) They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” AND 4) Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.” (NLT)
When Isaiah saw God he said, “It’s all over for me! I am doomed. I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips and I live with a filthy lipped people (6:5).” (NLT)
Isaiah thought his heart was right. But when God showed up, Isaiah realized how dirty even he was before a holy God and even he had to repent. When he did, God cleansed Isaiah’s filth and called him to service (6:7-12).
Like Isaiah, we don’t know how desperate is the condition of even our own heart. But when we get a vision of God, everything changes. Before God, none of us is as good as we think.
We seek revival, but often it is just a plea for God to help us to get back to where we once were…you know, when things were better (before 9/11; no terrorism. No horrible hurricanes or treacherous wild fires. No deadly COVID-19. No economic turmoil. No social and cultural upheaval – darkness, fear and despair). Can’t we just go back to when life was good?
But with God it is never about the way back; the way we were. It’s always about the way forward, what we need to become – humble, repentant and surrendered. Then the burning coal from the altar can touch and cleanse us. The Seraphim says, “See, this coal has touched your lips Roger. Your guilt is removed. Your sins are forgiven.” Oh, what cleansing I need.
As intercessors we are all in the same need. As we pray for God’s intervention, for revival and awakening, consider these questions about the people of God…about ourselves, before a holy, yet merciful God.
Do we have a truly deep and abiding hunger for God’s word?
Do we neglect private prayer or the corporate gathering to pray?
Are we satisfied with our level of spiritual health and vitality?
Are we 100% available to the Holy Spirit for mission?
Are we witnessing for Christ or do we fear what men think?
Oh Lord, how we need an expanded vision of who you are and a cleansing from within.
[1]Lotz, Anne Graham, Expecting To See Jesus (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2011) 68-84.
The Prayer Sentry 