At COTRM we recently completed a series on the book of Joel. One of the take aways for me was a clear picture of how God would have a people respond when their nation is in a time of national crisis.
There is much power in the "fervent prayer of a righteous" man, but when it comes to national issues it is going to take a corporate response. The church must gather together to seek the heart of God and intercede on behalf of their nation.
Two verses from Joel have spoken to my heart concerning how God would have us respond to Him in times of crisis:
12 Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
“Return to Me with all your heart,
And with fasting, weeping and mourning;
13 And rend your heart and not your garments.”
Now return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness
And relenting of evil. (Joel 2.12-13)
To "return" means to turn back, not in the sense that I must turn back to the beginning and start all over, but turn back to where I drifted in my heart and devotion from God's heart. The word can also mean to turn away. We turn back to God and at the same time turn away from those activities that distract us from God and His divine purposes for our lives.
Jeremiah spoke to Israel some very encouraging and instructive words when they had wandered from Him:
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jer 29:13)
As we turn back to God, turn away from distractions, and seek God with all our heart, we will find Him. He is yearning for us to search for Him.
In the above verses Joel leaves us with incredible hope and gives us great insight into the character and attributes of our God:
He is gracious and compassionate,
He is slow to anger,
He is abounding in lovingkindness,
He is relenting of evil. (Joel 2.13)
I thank God both for His admonition to bring my life in alignment with His heart, and His reminder to me that we serve a good and gracious God. Yet even now! Can we find the time to pray and seek our God together for our nation?
Seriously Pastor Priest dude Tony guy.... With no comments on your blogs it's like your really typing an e-blog to yourself. So have you heard about steve jobs the practicing buddhist? His family lost a good man, i am sure he wasn't perfect, but he wasn't sitting around waiting for the afterlife to come. Or jesus on a white horse for that matter. I am still in confusion that you still haven't given yourself to provide evidence for our natural world for the case of GOD. if the bible tells you so that's not good enough... Lots of people in the world can't read. Why do you thank god so much for were you are in life. It is you who put yourself in a position to make money off of misery and hopes of people. It is you who dedicated your life to a type of christian sect religion that makes money off of small minded gullible minds preaching to sustain your life-style. God had nothing to do with it. I think the old testament killing of innocent children, and holy incest gives more insight to your god of desert. Anyways, I am thinking about attending a church of christ they are a more local conservative church that doesn't use musical instruments. They interpret the bible rightly, as they say.. Please tell me why do they think everyone in your church and flock is going to hell? They really do believe that. Your going to hell... how do you feel about that? How do you feel about knowing a church not far from yours thinks they know the bible better than you do. I am sure they respond in a similar manner that you do as well. I am sure they have a 50 year old preacher who is as much convicted of his beliefs as you are. Don't tell me it's different, because you both use the bible to explain the meaning of life. it's like a holy war just on one street LOL. Anyways, Give me reason not to attend them, but to attend your church.
ReplyDeleteIt's Pastor Appreciation Month and I thank God for Pastor Tony! I was running my hell-bound race 18 years ago and you led me to the Cross! God was drawing me to Him and because of your faithfulness and care, you helped me to see His goodness and mercy.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Julie