“Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 119:89-90 (NIV)
God’s word is absolutely true. Yet so many only believe it in their heads, but not in their hearts. Jesus gave us a parable of seeds being sown and how the enemy comes immediately to steal them (Matthew 13:19). Trails and challenges can strengthen our faith because it is in them that we must believe what the word says. But these same trials can lead us into despair, doubt and wandering away from the truth.
Right now, we are facing many challenges, trials and opportunities to trust even when we cannot see. Each trial provides us an opportunity to grow, to take territory from the enemy and to trust God’s ways like we never have before! That’s why James tells us that rejoice in trials, because they can lead us into maturity (James 1:2).
So, the word says, “if My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 – ESV). Do you believe that this is God’s word, God’s will, God’s desire? Do you believe He is still faithful to watch over His word to fulfill it (Jeremiah 1:12)? Do you act like you believe it?
God promises that if His people, that is His church, His ekklesia, His remnant of faithful followers, would pray, He would not be deaf to them! Can I just say, His church, His people, who are called by His name have risen up into the greatest prayer movement in history! We have prayed with intensity, with zeal, with faith, with perseverance, these past few years. Millions upon millions have and are praying! And our absolutely good God has not been ignoring us. We have humbled ourselves! We have sought His face and have repented. Sure, not every believer has pressed into God over this season. In fact, many have fallen away, or just simply wandered off. Many have given up, because of the apparent delay. After all, hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12). But God ALWAYS looks to the remnant, the fringe dwellers, those who chose to seek Him until they find Him! These people who are called by His name are precious to Him. Actually, they ravish His heart through their faith and passion for Him (Song 4:8-9).
Having said all that, God is about to move powerfully on our land, because of the people who are called by His name. He is a faithful God, who will fulfill His word. His promises are yes and amen!
So take time today to thank God for being faithful, even when we don’t see it. Thank Him for collecting the million upon millions of prayers AND listening to each of them. Thank Him for allowing you to be alive at such a time as this. Ask Him to renew and sustain your faith, your passion and fire for Him. Ask Him to help you be ready for what He is about to do in our nation and around the globe! Ask Him to refresh your pastor and renew his faith.
May your church be an epicenter for God’s powerful shaking and the releasing of forgiveness and healing in our city and beyond!!!
