PLUS

Isaiah 58:11-12 “And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”

Isaiah 58:7-8 “Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to they house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.”

As outlined in the previous two posts, God is searching for a faithful few who can repair the breech in our land as He builds up the old waste places, raises up stable foundations, and restores the paths of protection and provision. Our communities, our states and our nation are long-overdue for such an outpouring of healing, renewal, and revival.

There are two primary categories of contingencies in the passage above that are holding us back today like they were in the day of Isaiah. The first is a real, genuine, authentic, ever-guiding, never-neglecting faith. This was addressed in last week’s post.

The second category of God’s contingent promises is a practical spiritual application of our faith that impacts those who are around us.

We face afflicted people throughout our days and in every corner of our society. They are practically and spiritually poor, hungry, and naked. They lack hope and resilience. They face chronic instability and insecurity. They endure unsettledness and a profound absence of peace. They carry the weight of the world on their shoulders with stifling burden and loneliness. They live with strife as well as physical and moral poverty. They stumble through life in darkness and blindness.

We are directed to help meet the practical and spiritual needs of the desperate world in which we live. If we do, then we will illuminate our world like a magnificent sunrise. We will have energy and vitality to complete our tasks and a resilient reputation to lead the way. And, we will regain our ability to reflect the glory of the Lord into the environment around us that is thirsting for a glow that has been absent from their shadow-filled lives.

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE WITH THE PRACTICAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE, COMMUNITIES, AND SOCIETY. If we do, the glory of the Lord shall be our rereward.

Isaiah 58:11-12 “And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”

Isaiah 59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you. and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

Isaiah 58:9 “Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity.”

As discussed in the previous post, the Lord is seeking a faithful few who can repair the breech in our land. These believers can build up the old waste places, raise up stable foundations, and restore the paths of protection and provision. Our society desperately needs this type of healing, renewal, and revival.

But there are two primary categories of contingencies in the passage above that are holding us back today like they were in the day of Isaiah.

The first is the nature of the expression of our faith (the second will be described in next week’s post). The Lord is looking for a real, genuine, authentic, ever-guiding, never-neglecting faith. He isn’t looking for a part-time faith. He isn’t looking for lack-luster faith. He isn’t looking for a fair-weather faith. He isn’t looking for a half-hearted faith. Instead, He is looking for a faith that pervades our lives and propels our labors.

The people who were holding back God in Isaiah’s day were living with one foot in the world. They were familiar with sin, they fasted for show, and they forsook the sabbath. They failed to examine their hearts, their conversation overflowed with disrespect, and they quickly pointed their puritanical fingers at the missteps of others.

So do we! And we must change course so that we are fully directed towards Him!

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO EMBODY A REAL, GENUINE, AND AUTHENTIC FAITH. If we do, God is looking to quickly respond – here I am!

Ezekiel 22:30-31 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the first of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.”

Isaiah 58:11-12 “And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”

God is looking for a faithful few who He can use to make up the hedge, stand in the gap, and repair the breach. When a society is diverging from Him, He simply seeks those who will act righteously to forego judgment and forestall wrath. In doing so, these faithful individuals can build up the old waste places, raise up stable foundations, and restore the paths of protection and provision. This is exactly what our society needs today.

The righteous remnant that acts for the Lord and relies upon His strength can have a national, multi-generational impact. They would revive those things from the past that are good and right. They would mend those things that created division and discord. They would provide opportunities for human flourishing. They would create the conditions for a thriving and prospering community. They would establish stable structures of societal success. They would cast a bold vision for the future and create plans to bring it to fruition. They would provide the true and meaningful leadership that God directs and that human-nature demands.

Their results stem from a continual outpouring of the LORD’s presence!

This is not an idle fabrication or an idealistic fantasy. It can be a reality in our society today. But it requires us to live up to God’s contingencies of righteousness and Christ-centeredness (to be discussed more in future posts). And it saddens the Lord when He is unable to find the faithful few who can carry out His plans for such a community, such a society, and such a nation.

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO RISE UP TO GOD’S STANDARDS SO THAT WE CAN MAKE UP THE HEDGE, STAND IN THE GAP, AND REPAIR THE BREACH. What a blessing it would be to live in a land where our paths have been restored. A future like that is contingent upon us and reliant upon God.

Galatians 5:13-14 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

II Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

As a devotional to military members during World War II, Pastor Williams Pierson Merrill wrote these powerful words (from “Strength for Service”):

“We have seen one nation after another come under despotic rule. Over against this we set our ideal of liberty. But we have been quite too ready to identify liberty with irresponsibility. It might startle us to recall how many times we have heard, ‘This is a free country,’ used to justify what no right-minded citizen should be guilty of. True democracy, can be attained neither by control nor by absence of control, but by self-control. Only those able to control themselves can be trusted safely to live without external control.”

During his inauguration address on January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy spoke the following:

“In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility – I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it – and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”

Far too often, we clamor for our rights while neglecting our responsibilities. We demand liberty while embracing irresponsibility. We selfish ask things for ourselves rather than offering up ourselves. We seek personal gain while neglecting the collective good.

God condemns us for doing so. Instead, He directs us to use our liberty, not for an occasion to meet the needs of the craving flesh but as an opportunity to collectively flourish. We are to serve instead of demand service. We are to embrace obedience to embody liberty.

PLEASE PRAY THAT AMERICAN CHRISTIANS WOULD ELEVATE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES INSTEAD OF DEMANDING OUR RIGHTS. True liberty and true democracy can only be obtained by a society that esteems responsibility and self-control.

I Peter 2:11-17 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

II Corinthians 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

I Timothy 2:1-2 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

In the last two weeks, we began our journey into 2023. Also, our nation began its journey under the legislative leadership of the 118^th Congress. Thus, it is a perfect week to reflect upon our relation to the Lord, to one another, and to our leaders. I Peter 2 gives a wonderful dose of advice in doing so.

Christians have a critical role in our society and must soberly live up to our responsibilities. We are to live with honesty and righteousness. And regardless of the circumstances, we are to honor all men and pray for them, love one another, and fear God. In relation to our leaders, we are to submit to them, pray for them, and honor them.

Doing so requires a Godly spirit and a yielded heart, especially when we are belittled for our beliefs, criticized for our convictions, and concerned about our country’s course. Yet, doing so silences those who are ignorant. It also gives the world and our leaders an opportunity to see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven. After all, we are directed to be ambassadors for Christ.

Prayer is an essential component to the fulfillment of the elements listed above. That includes individual prayer for our country and our leaders, and collective prayer for the same. A few weeks ago, I challenged American Christians to use the model of Supreme Prayer to replicate and multiply (https://prayatlunch.us/replication-and-multiplication/). I’m now asking for a favor that naturally flows from that challenge. Please let me know how you are implementing that challenge in your life, and if able send pictures of you doing so (plusgroupsus@gmail.com). I will use these to further encourage others as we collectively strive for the substantial impact amplified by I Peter 2 and the other verses listed above.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT SUCH BIBLICAL DIRECTION IN OUR RELATION TO GOD, TO OTHERS, AND TO OUR LEADERS. So is the will of God.