Whether you turn on the news or read social media articles, it is evident that godlessness is growing at an alarming rate. What you see are people who are hungry, unsatisfied, and bent on serving themselves rather than loving their neighbors more.
An awakening needs to happen for God does not tolerate godlessness for very long. You see this throughout the Bible. Time after time, God has to put His special possession, as He calls Israel, into exile for they continue to turn their backs on God and live their own way.
You will know when judgment is near for there is a time of confusion within a nation where the enemy has infiltrated himself into every part of society, from the government down to the family unit. Do you see this in the United States?
What does an awakening look like that would deter God from bringing a strong nation down to its knees?
First things first, you must look to the Lord for help. You and I do not have it within us to do what is right. We love ourselves too much. A humbling needs to take place in each of our hearts where we let God lead us from this moment on. Secondly, you have to learn the posture of peace as you wait on God. You and I are in His Hands. This means that He is in control, and we are not. Go to Him with a surrendered attitude and let Him be God. Finally, believe that God hears you. Know without a shadow of a doubt that He is leading every moment of your life.
What do you receive from God when you live this way?
1. Know that you will fall. You will fall short of God because of your sinful nature. In Christ, He helps you to rise again on a daily basis. He will make a way for you many times a day, if necessary, to keep you abiding in Him. When you call to Him, He is there clearing your path so you both can remain intimate.
2. You will sit in darkness. Don’t let this startle you. Although you have been transformed by Christ when you said yes to following Him, you still reside in a very dark, evil world. Christ will be your light in the darkness. Protect it with all your might!
3. Because of sins that trip you up from abiding in Christ, God keeps refining you by correcting and disciplining you. He is helping you to strip off your old sinful nature and put on His nature. He’s preparing you for your eternal home. You can’t enter heaven with fleshy ways adhering themselves to you. God wants you to be patient as He transforms you into His likeness.
Once you begin to live this way, He becomes your defendant and fights for you. You have an enemy that despises God and anyone who relates themselves with Him. Since Christ defeated Satan, you will be victorious in all battles that you face for God is on your side. No one can come against Him which means you are protected!
God takes you from the obscurity in the darkness and brings you into the light where you will see His righteousness. The enemy will see that the Lord is on your side.
When you are in a correcting time, it will feel lonely, dark, and do I dare say, disappointing. God is building up your faith, so don’t give up on Him. He will get you to a place where you will trust Him without any fear or reservation. I can assure you that in dark moments when it’s hard to believe, God will prove Himself to you where He lifts your spirit to places that will keep you in awe. He is showing you that there is always hope when you follow Jesus. You will not have everlasting hope in this world.
The land you live in might become empty and desolate because of wickedness. Don’t be afraid for God has set you apart for His glory. He will use you in the dark world to hopefully convince people to follow Jesus. You will become like a construction worker out on the highway guiding people to take a detour for the road that they are on will lead them to their death. The bridge collapsed up ahead and you will drive over the cliff if you don’t take another route. God needs more construction workers to lead people away from destruction.
What you will find when you follow hard after Christ is undeniable compassion.
He loves His children. Here’s a beautiful prayer between a believer and God: “O Lord, protect your people with your shepherds’ staff, and lead your flock, your special possession. Though they live alone in the thicket on the heights of Mount Carmel, let them graze in the fertile pastures of Bashan and Gilead as they did long ago.” “Yes,” says the Lord, “I will do mighty miracles for you, like those I did when I rescued you from slavery in Egypt.” (Micah 7:14-15)
Amidst the chaos and confusion that seems to becoming louder and louder, stand strong and believe with all your heart that God is in control. Let your light shine! He will judge a nation that goes astray, but for those who live by the Holy Spirit, God will protect you and make a way for you so you can be His light that shines bright into the confusion. People will notice Christ within you. When this happens, God is able to move within their hearts, like He did in yours, and save them from their sins.
Be encouraged as you face your day. “Where is there another God like you who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of His special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. Once again, you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!” (Micah 7:18-19)
Go ahead and read Micah 7. Today’s blog is based on this chapter. God sent His Son as a gentle Lamb over 2,000 years ago. Now, Christ is a lion coming to judge. It’s time to wake up and follow Jesus whole-heartedly, living by the Spirit, and doing what He wants you to do.
Carol J German 