DAY 9 - Wednesday, February 17th, 2021
Turning a Nation to God
Beyond all things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
COLOSSIANS 3:14
Our nation is in serious trouble. From sea to shining sea, we are witnessing the devolution of a nation. The United States is quickly becoming the divided states, as signs of disunity and conflicts abound. From family breakdowns, to the immigration crisis, to the abiding racial divide, to Congress' inability to function, it is clear we are a fraying nation. Add to this the continuing moral decay that is engulfing us, whether it is the redefinition of marriage and the family, abortions on demand, a media that continues to dumb down decency, or an educational system that increasingly seeks to impart information without ethics in the name of "freedom."
We are as a nation sliding south. But there is a way back. We can return to our roots by a wholehearted pleading of the people of God through repentance and prayer. When we respond in this way, then God will hear our cry, see our hearts, and turn and heal our land. God and His rule is our nation's only hope; and the church operating under His authority is the means for the realization of that hope, since it alone has been given the keys of the kingdom (see Matthew 16:18-19).
DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE
Since national revival begins with Christians comprehensively functioning under God's rule, it is time for a new declaration. America was born out of a desire for independence from the tyranny of England. But spiritual revival demands just the opposite. It requires verbal and visible dependence we want God to bless America, then America must first bless God. This means His people must first totally dedicate allegiance to Him through the four covenantal kingdom spheres He has established. Those four spheres are personal, familial, the church, and national.
A PERSONAL DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE
Every Christian must decide to no longer serve two masters. God makes it clear that we cannot have the world and have Him at the same time (see 1 John 2:15-17). Each day must begin with a commitment to Him above all else, and He is to be consulted in prayer on all matters of life (see Luke 9:23).
A FAMILY DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE
"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). The dinner table must again become the central place for reviewing and applying kingdom principles (see Psalm 128:3). Couples must reconnect themselves to their biblical roles and hate divorce as much as God does (see Malachi 2:14).
THE CHURCH'S DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE
Local churches must recommit themselves to their primary responsibility of making disciples and not be satisfied with simply expanding their membership. Jesus doesn't need more fans. He wants more followers. In addition, there must be a radical return by church leadership to the authority of Scripture and the priority of prayer as the foundation of church life (see 1 Timothy 2:8-9). The church must have regular, unified sacred gatherings to keep the focus on our absolute dependency on God.
A NATIONAL DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE
The church must again become the conscience of the government. Through its national solemn assembly, it should clearly and respectfully call political leaders to God's principles for government (see Romans 13:1-7), which means we cannot be so entrenched with political parties that we are not free to speak truth to those in power. It also means we must begin speaking with one voice, so the nation sees a unified church and not one divided by faith.
In addition, we should so overwhelm the culture with good works that the benefit we bring cannot be overlooked or denied (see Matthew 5:16). Finally, all attempts to remove God from the marketplace ought to be resisted while we simultaneously bring our public officials in prayer before the throne of (see 1 Timothy 2:1-3).
As God's kingdom agenda is manifested simultaneously through His four covenantal spheres, in a spirit of dependence on Him, then we will have done our part in welcoming the glory of our great God to be among us and for God to bring the revival we and our nation so desperately need, before it's too late.
THANKS
Give thanks to the Father: Thanks, Lord, that you hear me when I cry out to you to bring our country back to you. I am depending upon you to change me and reveal yourself to others through me. I praise you that you can use me for your glory. Empower me by your Spirit. Cause my heart to be awakened toward you and fill me with a passion to serve you.
CONFESSION
Listen for the Holy Spirit's prompting for confession: "So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him" (Hosea 12:6). Stop and reflect on your personal relationship with the Lord and your family relationships for a few moments. Ask the Holy Spirit to assess these specific areas of your life. Ask Him to show you if you have strayed from His purposes and His desires and need to return. Declare your dependence upon Him: God, is there any area of my personal life or family life where I am not allowing you to be Lord? Search me and show me any areas where I have strayed and need to come back to you.
Pause until the Holy Spirit speaks to you. Then make this declaration: Lord, I declare my dependence upon you. I need your help to change, and I need your power to act differently, especially in the area of _______.
PETITION
Join Jesus in prayers of petition: "For apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). None of us as individuals, families, or His church has any hope of living an abundant life in our own strength. Take a moment and imagine yourself bowing before the Lord as He reminds you: "Your energy, your creativity, your strength, and your intellect are all provisions from me. You are wonderfully made, but remember that apart from Me you can do absolutely nothing."
As you bow before the Lord, make a declaration of your helplessness, a declaration of your dependence upon God, and an acknowledgement of your hope in Him: Lord, my power and strength are insufficient for all that I face in this world-I need you. Restore my perspective. I know I am nothing without you, but I know you are with me, available for me, and sufficient for all my needs. I turn to you now.
WORD
Proclaim promises from His Word: "... Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27 NASB). Consider for a moment how God sees you as a bearer of His glory for your family, friends, community, and nation. How does this impact your heart? "When I reflect on the truth that Christ is in me and I get to reveal His glory, I feel * Plan to share your reflections with a friend, family member, or small group: "I want to do my part to reveal God's glory-to show the incredible power of Jesus Christ in the world in which I live. He's recently shown me how I need to change so that I can be a better representation of Him."
ENGAGE
Engage with other Jesus-followers in a lifestyle of prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to show you ways in which you can reach out and do your part to overwhelm your community with good works. How will you serve the "least of these" in your neighborhood?
Holy Spirit, show me how I can "do good" for the people in my community who need it the most. Give me creative ideas and practical applications for how to best love the people you have placed me around. Help me to point others to you as I serve them with the love you have shed abroad in my heart. Visit missionamerica.org.