Humility
“If my people will humble themselves” – this phrase is still bouncing off the walls of my mind and heart. God sent prophets throughout Scripture to warn of possible destruction – the warnings were either heeded and repentance happened or arrogance and pride led to destruction. I continually watch current events and see how God is at work through them. How is the latest news of Russia gaining ground relevant? How is the power of the US relevant? How is the debt of our nation affecting our power? Is the debt of our nation dropping us to our knees? Are we rising up in defiance? Or do we drop lower in humility in the presence of the Sovereign Righteous God? Repentance or rebellion?
I love the Scripture found in Ezekiel 37 about the dry bones being raised into a mighty army. I can see an army rising up to fight not for a mighty nation, but for a mighty God. God breathes life into the dry bones and they come alive. I know this Scripture was prophecy for Israel. But can we look at it in the face of current events? I see preachers throughout this country breathing life through the Holy Spirit into a dying people. In Ezekiel 37:14 says that “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live.” Yes, it was for Israel, but I believe we can gather God will do the same for us. The difference will be in our acknowledging God as Sovereign Ruler over our hearts and minds. We are His people and we need to be acting as His people. We are to live differently and be the people He called us to be. Holy. Pure. Our land is desperate for Jesus and Jesus is desperately seeking people ready to be used to glorify God. Holiness and purity. Set apart but still in the world bringing light into that darkness.
The prophets spoke of repentance. They went throughout the land speaking to the people of God in ancient times to remove the idols and turn back to God. It wasn’t beneficial to the prophets; most were killed for their message. Most of the people ignored the warnings and went on with life only to find themselves enslaved or dead. We are living in perilous times. I can see this message is for all of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus. Are we living as we should? I know my heart was convicted about repentance. This nation is desperate for some healing in this land. It starts with us. We have to begin with repentance. We know God. We know Jesus. We know of His love; but we also know of His wrath. He is the God of Love. But He is also holy and will not tolerate sin in His presence. He wants us to stop and drop to our knees and cry out to Him. There is a drought in this land, and it’s a drought of tears. I fail to shed a single tear for those I know who are far from God. My heart is not broken for what breaks His. Shame on me. We should be crying a river of tears. Okay, I should be. Maybe this message is for me alone. God is in the process of something. My spirit has been stirred for a reason.
I know God is at work throughout this world to reconcile all people to Himself. I want to be a part of His work, don’t you? It starts with repentance and prayer to become the people we are meant to be.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:8-9
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