October 26, 2008

Seek Revival

“Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written." And the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.” (Exodus 32:32-33 NKJV)

Can you imagine yourself, so burdened for your own people that you would happily forfeit your own eternal salvation if God will not save them? Does it not remind you of the prayer of another faithful servant of the LORD, a New Testament apostle who declared, "For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites..." (Rom. 9:3-4). Is it not evident that prayer for revival must be passionate ­ indeed so passionate that no cost is too great if God Himself should demand it—Richard Owen Roberts.

It is undeniable that this country has been raised up by God. It could be that His purpose was to protect His people as He protected Israel from the famine in Egypt. Perhaps America has served the same purpose for Christians. Of course Israel spent 400 years in bondage and toil. Still God used that country to keep His people from starving. You can decide for yourself what God is doing in America.

The point that needs to be pressed is when Moses interceded for his countrymen, he did so with great passion. It was not possible for Moses to have his name blotted out of the book of life, but his plea shows just how much he cared.

It is with this passion believers need to be calling on God. Egypt had Israel in bondage; America has people in bondage to sin. Believers are oppressed with wickedness just as Lot’s righteous soul was vexed. Unbelievers are pacified with riches and leisure.

The important thing to remember is God can do anything. He can cause a great outpouring of His Spirit on this country and others. However, He will not circumvent the means He has established. This means that every believer needs to circumcise his heart and cry out to God for mercy.

There is no hope for revival if God’s children will not humble themselves, confess their sin, and pray. God has chosen these means. Will you care enough to begin today? It won’t do any good to go through the motions. You must care as Moses did.