Revival Via Suffering

Deuteronomy 32:15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

The history of this country would strongly indicate that the Church grows stronger in times of hardship rather than in times of peace and prosperity.

That being the case when we pray for God to bless us maybe He sends us wars, economic, environmental and other crisis situations to our nation so that we will pray and seek Him more so He can bless us. When we are not in a crisis we get fat, lazy and throw hissy fits like a spoiled brat. We become Jeshuruns.

Indeed, the only way that the great revival that many seek may come is through a plethora of crisis situations to include economic depression, crop failures, droughts and persecution for starters.

1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

In our current climate, the concept of a suffering Christian and the prosperity gospel does not mesh well. Paul said it was not only given to us to believe, but also to suffer for Christ''s sake so that pretty much puts the last nail in the coffin of "name it and claim it" or any other variation of that false teaching.

Judgment starts at the house of God. Before we can see anything happen in the country revival and cleansing has to come to the house of God first. How will that work? For my daughter, I only had to look at her for her to repent or change something. My son at times required a more intense one-on-one interaction.

For some, they will just view the mess we are in culturally making them do their own review of their relationship to Christ and repent and be revived. For others, it will take more intense issues as we are in an Laodicean age where many think they are in great shape with God because of their goods and other tokens of earthly success when many of God's successes suffered great loss, imprisonment and even death.

For some, it will take the loss of their job, possessions, health, fame, and sadly even family to get them to turn to God to receive cleansing, forgiveness and a right spirit. Some may have to get as close to death as possible to be made alive in Him. Some may need to hear the voice of demons before they will hear the voice of God calling them to repentance, restoration and renewal.

Like my children, we each have a choice on how to hear God and respond to the crisis in the land or in our own hearts.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

I have often been the horse and mule and that is not a fun way to be taught. If we seek His face, the teaching is easier and the eye a far better guide. How much suffering or how hard will He have to pull on the bit and bridle for our revival? O, may we see His eye clearly! Maranatha!