FROM REVOLUTION TO REVIVAL
Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – October 2020, Pastor Lloyd Pulley
In the midst of life-altering events and circumstances, we seem to be hearing the word "unprecedented" almost daily describing some new societal development. Are we currently witnessing the breakdown of our nation? Is America in the midst of a revolution? When they chant, "no justice, no peace," is it not sheer hypocrisy when injustice is being protested with gross injustice? Many marching appear to have little insight into the naked evil of the ideologies leading them. Most definitely the targeting of police is inexcusable and our prayers go out to those in law enforcement. Daily they put their lives on the line to serve and protect, even in places where their hands are tied by politics.
And as if dealing with these trained Marxist organizers wasn’t enough, this shutdown seems to have no basis in reality with hospitals void of any new COVID patients. Now it appears that the looming threat of the "return" of COVID-19 or, God forbid some other horrific pandemic touted to be worse, has people frozen in fear wearing masks even while driving, biking and running. Yet I cannot find any consensus of medical experts who would stand behind this insanity. A national news outlet published an article about one Emergency Room doctor warning of something worse than COVID-19 coming. Really? Just one doctor? And not even a doctor specializing in viruses! What a flimsy basis for keeping an unnecessary shutdown. Seeing the rise in many social ills and the livelihoods of people threatened, as a pastor, I will warn of much greater damage to people than the once horrific, but now tiny, threat of COVID unless we all get back to business.
Despite the unrest, political divide, racism, socialistic agenda, natural disasters, and another pandemic fear, we can be certain of this one thing: We need to return to the One who is in control- God!
I began a series recently on Wednesday nights on the life of Joseph in Genesis 37-50. What a model he is of overcoming in extraordinary circumstances! Very fitting for our troubled times is the poise and patience of Joseph, who saw the big picture in his difficult suffering. Even when deeply wronged, his words towards those who hurt him resound in a depth of character so unlike the morally bankrupt and outraged mobs given such attention in national media. Speaking to the very brothers who sold him into slavery, Joseph said: But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (Genesis 50:20)
Joseph is a living portrait of the providence of God, who works all things together for good for those who love Him. Joseph was positioned temporarily as a slave by God to ultimately deliver the entire nation of Israel. His life reveals God’s absolute rule and authority over all that is seen and unseen.
Even if powerful globalists who desire America’s humbling are behind the worldwide crisis in order to "reset" this world, they will find out soon enough that they are playing checkers while God is playing chess. Will America be humbled? Maybe we need to be. But we will be the better for it in the end if we humble ourselves before Him. We have been through darker times in our history than today and humble brokenness stayed the powers of evil.
During the unrest of the 60’s, many revolutionaries were either impacted personally or silenced by the Jesus Revolution! The hippies’ zeal, no longer enslaved by socialist causes, led them to take another look at the Jesus of the Bible and they were transformed into effective evangelists for the gospel. Hundreds of thousands of lives were transformed! Imagine what would happen if "cancel culture" recognized their moral bankruptcy and honestly considered the Jesus of the Bible. This nation would be infused with more fervor to spread love and the good news of Jesus than to seek to tear down.
Oh for a revival of Bible reading and gospel believing arising from a true heartfelt brokenness over sin and evil! Families would be restored as in the past when people began to seek God and His ways. America would be revived! People would stand up for the weak and poor and out of love give sacrificially for others! This is my prayer, that once again we will be restored to that greatness! That greatness arose out of goodness established by those who humbled themselves before God!
Driving up to church on Sunday morning to gather with God’s people, I noticed a stark contrast from the night before. Few were on the roads compared to the busy traffic of the previous evening, as restaurants and places of night life were packed. My prayer is that traffic jams would occur on Sunday mornings as people return to their churches! Our nation needs this! Oh Lord revive us again! The trickle has started perhaps. There is news of major baptisms happening all over our country today. We baptized over 150 in the water just last month. Oh Lord help us!