My Soul Waits

America needs redemption but I believe the church is like a shopper with a box full of coupons who never shops; that shopper is just a collector. The pulpits across America say we need revival in this land yet will not preach in a manner that brings revival. Too many Christians call for revival and all the while they are looking upon lost people thinking those can be revived.

Silly Christian, revival is for Christians. What our lost leaders and neighbors need is salvation; they need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Have you told them about Christ? One of the godliest and most effective Christians I have ever had the pleasure of meeting is Judge Paul Pressler and he told our luncheon group that if you want to change a politician you have to change his or her heart. He encouraged us to share the gospel every chance we got.

I so too want to see America rescued but unless we as Christians are revived and lost Americans are saved by Jesus America is lost. I wait for the Lord to return to America in a fresh new way the same as the psalmist waited for the LORD to redeem Israel.

    “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—yes, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” (Psalm 130:5-8)

I’ve come to understand the problem in America; patience is no longer a virtue in the land of plenty. Americans refuse to wait on anything and if you think I’m being harsh then stand in line at the grocery store or bank, or get in your car and drive somewhere. I don’t think there has ever been a culture more impatient. That is why Paul’s words fall empty on Christian ears:

    “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” (Romans 8:22-25)

Hope that is seen is not hope. True Bro Paul but Americans will not hope in the unseen because I gotta have it now! And to expect the American Christian to eagerly wait for anything is too expect actual revival to break out. Oh that it would!

And as for perseverance…nuff said.

Will I allow the Holy Spirit to teach me through the Word and convict me of my sin? That is what this all comes down to, as the psalmist said: “…in His word I do hope.”

Can I persevere while eagerly waiting for the hope that is found only in Christ Jesus?

Will I repent of my sin, confess it to God, and allow redemption do its work in my soul?

Will I encourage my pastor and Sunday school teachers when they boldly preach and teach biblical truth, and exhort them to do so when they fall short?

Will the American Church ever see revival again? Revival in the church is not an event to be scheduled, it is a miracle to experience and it does not happen inside church walls but inside Christians’ hearts.

Oh that it would happen.

For that my soul waits…

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2010 David Jeffers

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