All of us halted between two opinions. Sometimes we cannot seem to make up our minds about a particular situation. We move back and forth trying to make a wise decision but sometimes we allow other things to influence us that end up causing us to make the wrong decisions. Many times those unwise decisions have serious negative consequences.
Right now we are seeing a great separation in our country. Up until 30-40 years ago, in spite of our differences politically, philosophically and to some extent doctrinally, we were able to at least temporarily lay aside our personal preferences for the good of our country or our fellow citizens. That is no longer true generally speaking.
I believe we are in serious times where hard decisions need to be made individually as well as looking at the direction that our country has been heading and supporting those we can made a difference with biblically based decisions and initiatives. God is trying to get our attention and in His great Mets has allowed some of our current circumstances to shake us. The Scriptures even say that God will shake everything that can be shaken, in order that what cannot be shaken will be manifest and will remain. The word also states very plainly that God will discipline His own sons and daughters and that His is looking for. a bride that is making herself ready for her heavenly. Bridegroom. That means that the areas in our lives where there is compromise and lukewarmness need to be repented of so that we can live and walk in a way that pleases Him.
The book of Joel could very easily be written for the times we are currently in. It certainty has many parallels for today. Joel 3:14 states that there are: ‘Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision. For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Verse 16 says: “The Lord also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and the earth will shake; but the Lord will be a shelter for His people and the strength of the children of Israel.” In the midst of all shaking there is a place of shelter and strength for those who pit their trust in the Lord.
I read somewhere that “Before we can have a Great Awakening, there must be a rude awakening.” Make have likened the overall church of the last days to the church mentioned in Revelation 3 – the lukewarm church of Laodicea. I certainly agree more from my own-limited observations. In my small town with about 20 churches with outspoken men and women in every sphere of influence, why has not our own city beet transformed by the power of the gospel? What are we doing or not doing that would and should change the culture of our communities in such a profound way that the outside observers would know that there are cities who not only love and honor our neighbors in our communities? There are modern day examples right here in our country of that happening.
I get it. Sometimes we are intimidated by the talents and gifts that other people have and operate in. We use the excuse that we are not so talented or gifted, thereby reasoning that we can just be a part of the “home team.” I have a neighbor who is very talented and gifted. He provides meals for the needy, works a full-time job and is available when anyone needs him. I look at him and feel worthless (there is no way I could do what he does). However, faith without works is dead. I think that means that everyone one of us can demonstrate our love for God and our fellow man by being engaged on some level to make a difference in the lives of others who are less fortunate than we are.if we are truly going to see a Great Awakening, we must each repent in the areas where we have been selfish or wrong on our thinking and actions.
We need to become so intimate with God that we can hear His voice so we can go into any situation with confidence, knowing that no matter the outcome, we are doing His Will and pleasing Him. I for one want to Hear His voice and then obey His direction. After all. I want to hear Him say “Well done” when my appointed them does come.
From Pity to Praise 