NOW WITH THE LORD

This message was printed in the July-August 1983 eddition of The Flaming Torch.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psalm 32:12)

“Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

July 4, 1776, is a date that marks a turning point in our world history. This turning point was the Declaration of Independence of the 13 United States of America.

It will only be revealed in eternity the many sacrifices and events on the part of scores of people that made this dream come true.

As we think abut the founding of America, we might look first at the hardships of untold thousands in England during the 1500’s and the early part of 1600. It seems that tyrannical rule proved to be too much for our forefathers, so a few families pulled away from England and moved to Holland.

Many adversities arose and in answer to prayer God provided a way for a group to set sail for a new country. A hundred and two people made this voyage in an overcrowded ship with no facilities with which to keep warm. They ate cold food, and had no sanitary facilities, no heat, nor even a place to change clothes.

You can well imagine the results – plenty of sickness. They were 65 days from Plymouth, England when Cape Cod came into view.

They found a small island and named it Clark Island. Soon they were battling the Indians. Somehow in the providence of God, they found a basket of corn and planted it. This they called their seed corn from the spring crop. It might be of interest also that some 46 died during the voyage or a short time thereafter.

Death took 13 of the 18 wives and there were only three couples of which both parties, both husband and wife survived. This was in 1620.

The next 150 years is a wonderful, exciting, yet difficult story on the part of our ancestors that brought fourth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the principals that all people are created with some equal rights.

These remaining souls literally began a new way of life in a new country. For over a hundred years they, followed by their offspring, laid a foundation for others to build upon.

And build upon it they did. The stronger our forefathers became, the more devastating were the blows from the King of England.

Finally our forefathers had enough. The Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 was the result.

That was the need then and I believe through this Declaration of Independence over 200 years ago, the greatest nation in all the world was born.

History tells us that our democratic way of life, government of the people, by the people and for the people, has not had a superior principle by which any nation of people are governed.

This nation rose to the very heights without a doubt, a peak higher than any other nation under the sun had ever gone. And yet, at this very moment the soul of this very nation is as sick as any nation has ever been in the world.

I realize that there are many things that are right with America today, and I thank God for everything that is right, but it doesn’t take a very smart person to see that we also have a lot wrong in this nation.

In days gone by, our forefathers believed that they could change situations, even governments, when you put yourself to doing what was right. They believed in God, they believed His Word, they worshiped God according to the dictates of their own heart.

I believe the greatest need in this nation today was expressed by the Wall Street Journal in an article which said, “What America needs more than railroad extensions, western irrigation, low tariff, a bigger cotton crop and a larger wheat crop, is a revival of religion. The kind of revival that father and mother use to have. A religion that counted it good business to take time for family worship each morning right in the middle of wheat harvest. A religion that promoted them to quit work a half-hour early on Wednesday so that the whole family could get ready to go to Prayer Meting.”

Yes, we need a revival in this nation today. Perhaps someone might be saying, “Why do we need a revival?” Well, perhaps you might want this statement qualified and I’ll do just that. In my opinion we need a revival because of:

THE BREAKDOWN

IN THE HOME

To begin with, we have had a great breakdown in the homes of our nation. In 1975, for the first time, there were over one million divorces in the United States and the rate has steadily climbed until half of all marriages end in divorce.

The moral strings of the home have been the salvation of this nation for the first 200 years of our existence. But we are fast losing this strength. I have said it before, but it bears repeating, our greatest need from the revival standpoint, is a revival of the home.

I cannot remember when the home, generally speaking, has been at a lower moral level than now. Oh, how we need to do everything we can to save our homes. When the institution of the home in America goes, America is through, and you might just as well write, ichabod over Old Glory. God help us not to let this happen.

ONE STEP FROM

BONDAGE

Our forefathers that founded this country discovered a high goal and they had the faith and courage to win the victory.

Reaching this goal, by our forefathers in gaining individual freedom and liberty, brought great material blessings.

But today we are in a state of confusion and a spiritual revival is the only thing that can save us.

WHAT KIND

OF REVIVAL?

When we talk about a revival what kind of revival do we need? We need a revival that first of all will turn us back to the Word of God.

It seems to me that it has come down to three alternatives. One – communism is making a bid for us and we could go that route. Two – we can throw all sense of priority to the winds and live as the pagans did in days gone by; eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we will die. This reminds us of the animal nature.

However, there is a third alternative and that is – returning to the Bible, calling upon the God of the Bible and relying upon the Christ of the Bible. Yes, we need the experience that is spoken of in Isaiah, where it says, “Seek the Lord while he may be found. We need to call upon Him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and return unto the Lord. For he will have mercy and will abundantly pardon.”

We need a revival that will cause us to return to the Word of God, but we need a revival to return to the God of the Bible.

Most of you can remember, if you think back just a few years, when God was reverenced and respected in the schoolhouse, in the courthouse, in the church house, and even in man’s house, but now it seems we have turned away from God in all four houses.

We have become our own God, so to speak. We hve said, as Satan wants us to say, “I will do this,” “I am my own God,” “I will call the signals,” “I will do all of this or that.”

I trust that there is still time that would cause America to repent and turn back to God. A return to the Bible would strengthen our home life and reverse the terrifying crime statistics. It would do more for race relations than any other single thing could do. It would give purpose to our young people and restore a high sense of destiny to our nation. It would bring our nation to its finest hour.

If God visited your house today what would He find? Would it be material things you have purchased? Would it be the love of money? Would it be comfort? Would it be things that make you enjoy life? Would it be the fruits of drunkenness? Would it be that of fussing and fighting on the part of husband and wife or children and parents? Would it be disobedient and unfaithful children? Would it be rebellious children? Would it be rejection of the truth of Jesus? Would He see the open Bible on the table or a dust covered Bible?

Beloved, let me plead with you today and remind you once more that the hope of America is in a Great Holy Ghost sent revival.

IS REVIVAL POSSIBLE

TODAY?

This leads me to ask you an all important question. Is revival possible in America today? Do you think its possible for God to pour out His blessings in a similar manner as He did in days gone by? Well, there comes to my mind the scripture that I have quoted in revival meetings time and time again and I think it might well be the answer to that question:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (II Coron. 7:14)

Yes, revival is possible when we are willing to meet the conditions. May I close by asking you to heed the words of a song:

“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found. Call ye upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts and return unto the Lord and He will have mercy and will abundantly pardon.”

The goal of our ministry should be:

1. Win the lost to Jesus Christ.

2. Revive the children of God.

3. Call America back to God.

If we, who are born again, could be set on fire, we could change this nation. God grant that we will join together to do just that.