COME TOGETHER
Our nation is reeling in shock from the murder of George Floyd and the ensuing events. How should the church react? To what is our Lord calling us? The words of the prophet Joel reach us over the ages.
Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast,
call a sacred assembly.
Gather the people, consecrate the assembly;
bring together the elders, gather the children,
those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room
and the bride her chamber. Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the portico and the altar.
Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.
Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,
a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”
Revelation 5;10 tells us that we, the Church, are together a Kingdom of Priests. Christ has given His Church the authority to rule through our prayers. It’s time for weeping, for intercession, for crying out to God in repentance for our nation. Will we obey? Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the Glory of God?”
A MORNING AFTER RAIN
Once again, a night of rain. And I’m remembering the lyrics from “Camelot” – “no rain may ever fall till after sundown…” and I’m giving thanks for the redolent fragrance of the summer morning, the bright sunshine that streams through the trees, the sound of last night’s raindrops falling onto the ground as a gentle wind ruffles the leaves. A clear sky, a new beginning.
And I remember a piece of poetry from King David’s dying words.
“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.
The God of Israel spoke,
the Rock of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,
when he rules
he is like the light of morning at sunrise
on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
that brings grass from the earth.’ (2 Sam. 23:2-4)
The whole world lies in wickedness in this present evil age. “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” the psalmist queries. Our apostle Paul gives us the answer in his letter to Timothy.
I exhort therefore, that FIRST OF ALL, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; FOR KINGS; AND FOR ALL THAT ARE IN AUTHORITY, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth(2 Tim. 2:1-4)
Could it be, Church, that we get what we pray for?
EMPTY KLEENEX BOXES
Well, here we are in 2022, chaos swlrling all around us, darkness and evil seeming to close in on us. Yet, as believers, we are so privileged to be alive in this time. I personally am so grateful to live in the here and now. There has never been a day like this day, a more opportune time for the Church of Jesus Christ to shine. Remember this verse from Isaiah 60?
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”
Jesus made an unconditional promise: “I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. No ifs, ands or buts. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5 that He is returning for a glorious Church, without spot or blemish. Not some old hag on death’s door, but a beautiful and perfect Bride, “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners”. Hallelujah!
What does all of this have to do with empty Kleenex boxes? Could it be that Jesus’ church, His army, needs to think about the weapon of corporate intercession?
Jesus was moved with compassion for the lost, and he poured out his life for them. He wept over the unbelief of the Jews at the tomb of Lazarus. He cried over Jerusalem and the horrors of Rome that she would suffer. Even on the way to the Cross, He offered up prayers to His Father with “strong crying and tears”.
In 1 Timothy chapter 2, Paul gives us instruction in corporate prayer, including intercession for all people, especially “kings and all those in authority”. Did he really mean it? Don’t forget that Nero was emperor of Rome at this time.
Compassion can’t be worked up. But it will come, as we together yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit. Imagine the power in our united intercession under His anointing. An emergency run to the store for more boxes of Kleenex!
Years ago, in another state, we heard a news report that Uganda’s evil dictator was rounding up all the missionaries there for no good purpose. On that Sunday night a spirit of intercession fell on our church and we cried out to God for these people. Result? We learned later that his evil plans collapsed and the missionaries were safe. Has God changed? What a privilege we have to intercede for the lost!
PRAY
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering. “(Hebrews 13:3)
Church, let’s pray without ceasing in this time. We know that for many believers martyrdom is a reality in our world today. We here in the west have been so sheltered by our Judeo-Christian heritage. Still, we are told to join in suffering with those who even now are probably giving their lives for Jesus. We are One Body, and when one suffers, all suffer. So let’s take it on.
The Apostle Peter tells us, “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” Let’s pray that the Spirit of glory will rest upon our brothers and sisters. Let’s pray that like Stephen, even before the first stone hits, the first gunshot is fired, the first sword falls upon them, they will see our Jesus standing at the right hand of God to welcome them home. The world does not understand martyrdom. We who know Him know that if you have Jesus, you have everything. He is worth it. Let’s pray that they will feel the peace that doesn’t make sense, the supernatural peace that passes understanding.
0 Comments