An Article of Faith

The words of revivalist G. Campbell Morgan are instructive to all who long for something more from God:
“We cannot organize revival, but we can set our sails to catch the wind from heaven when God chooses to blow upon His people once again.”
Oh, that we might all actively hoist our sails, raise our anchors, and cry out for the wind of God’s Spirit to blow across our land! Oh God, hear our cry!
“God has had much on His heart,” wrote Jonathan Edwards, “from all eternity, to glorify His dear and only-begotten Son; and there are some special seasons that He appoints to that end, wherein He comes forth with omnipotent power to fulfill His promise and oath to Him. And these times are times of remarkable pouring out of His Spirit, to advance His kingdom; such a day is a day of His power ...”
God’s kingdom has a devious and powerful enemy. One who is determined to destroy God and everything related to Him. He is relentless in his attack. According to Jesus Satan’s stated purpose is “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10 NLT).
The garden of Eden records the tragic story of his first assault on mankind and the turn of Adam and Eve from God’s rule (see Genesis 3). When that occurred, death came. The rest of human history is a continual battle between good and evil. The Bible records this as we see individuals and nations turning away from God, the ensuing judgment of God, the desperate cry of God’s repentant people, and God’s sovereign intervention in revival among His people and spiritual awakening among the lost.
We see this pattern not only on an individual level, but also on a corporate or national level. If it were not for the gracious work of God’s judgments that brings us to desperation – His convicting hand that leads to His converting hand – we would never turn to Him? (Taken and adapted from: OneCry: A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening. For more information see: www.ONECRY.com).
“After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things He had done for Israel.
“The Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight and served the images of Baal. They abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the LORD. They abandoned the LORD to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth. This made the LORD burn with anger against Israel, so He handed them over to raiders who stole their possessions. He turned them over to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them. Every time Israel went out to battle, the LORD fought against them, causing them to be defeated, just as He had warned. And the people were in great distress.
“Then the LORD raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their attackers. ... Whenever the LORD raised up a judge over Israel, He was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the LORD took pity on His people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering” (Judges 2:10-16, 18 NLT).
“If My people,” declares the LORD, “who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV).

Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.