A CALL FOR COURAGE

Last week, our nation buried the man many called, “America’s pastor,” Billy Graham, just a few yards from the childhood home where his parents raised him. If ever there was a famous example of humble courage in the modern era, Billy Graham was (and still is) it. We need a battalion of new “Billy Grahams” at this vital time, as much of America is stewing in a caldron of hatred, division and apathy that threatens to undo us. What about you? Is your life characterized by what I call “courageous humility,” as was Billy Graham’s? It can be – if you really want it. Think God has a better candidate than you? You’re mistaken. Apart from Jesus, God has only and always had flawed people through which to flow. It’s time He began to flow, without hindrance, through you.

It’s time for a second American revolution in America, where courageous humility paves the way for the kind of hope and change that only Jesus Christ can bring. Our nation is ripe for a second “revolution” – one fought not with conventional weapons, but with the weapons God offers to anyone who is willing to wield them. God wants you to be in on the ground level of the great awakening that He alone can bring. In order to get in on God’s action, you need to (re)discover the central role of humility in the kind of life God can use powerfully. God’s power is available to you – if you are hungry and humble enough to depend upon Him and surrender like never before.

What will become of America if a battalion of humble, godly men and women don’t arise? Can we afford to allow the fear and “reverse intolerance” against people of faith to continue? Think about your children – and their children. Without a revolution of courageous humility in America, arrogance and fear will paralyze us – and destroy the next generation. It’s time for people of faith help get America’s train back on track.

What can you do to be part of the solution our nation needs at this key time? For starters, you can take an honest inventory of where you really stand with Jesus. Are you in any way trying to get other people to follow a Jesus you’re not following? The spiritual awakening America needs begins in the epicenter of your heart. Are the affections of your heart divided when it comes to loving and serving Jesus? Forget about our garages, kitchens and living rooms for a moment. It may be time to clean house by giving Jesus unhindered access to every aspect of our lives. Is He truly your Master, the One around whom everything in your life revolves?

2 Chronicles 7:14 is a verse many Christians often quote – and mistake as a call for intercession. Yes, America needs a lot of prayer right now. Our leaders need a lot of prayer, whether in the White House, the House of Representatives, or anywhere in-between. God’s house, the Church, needs a lot of prayer, too. But 2 Chronicles 7:14 is not a call for intercession from God’s people. It’s a call to repentance. There is a big difference. We are not really applying 2 Chronicles 7:14 as we should. God wants humility and repentance to be the fundamental characteristics of His people. Today, in much of America, these traits are completely absent.

Yes, 2 Chronicles 7:14 was meant for the theocracy of Israel – and the United States is not a theocracy. But there is a timeless truth found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that we can – and should – all embrace at this crucial time in our country: humility is still attractive to God. Without it, we aren’t going anywhere. Maybe the lack of humility is why, after all, our nation is going in the wrong direction, away from God.

God is sovereign. Only He knows the future. We do not know if a real nation-wide revival will come to America. But one thing is for sure: there has never been a real revival in all of history without God’s people humbling themselves and repenting. The foundation of every real revival, every true awakening, is laid with the brick and mortar of humility and repentance. There is simply no way around it. History proves this to be true.

What has God been speaking to you about in your life? How do you need to humble yourself and make things completely right with God? Let the revival our nation needs begin – and let it begin with you. With you, we say, “come, Lord Jesus, come!”

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF . . .

• HAVE YOU LOST YOUR APPETITE FOR JESUS? HOW HUNGRY ARE YOU FOR A MIGHTY MOVEMENT OF GOD IN AMERICA – BEGINNING IN YOUR OWN LIFE?
  
  
• ARE HUMILITY AND REPENTANCE THE CHIEF CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUR WALK WITH THE LORD? IF NOT, YOU’RE EMBRACING SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE GOSPEL, SOMEONE OTHER THAN JESUS. THAT, ABOVE ALL ELSE, IS WHAT’S HINDERING YOU FROM FLOWING IN GOD’S POWER LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
  
  

Michael Anthony

 Michael Anthony is the founder of CourageMatters.com and publisher of the Courage Matters app. He is the author of “A Call For Courage,” a speaker whose articles appear in various media outlets, and the lead pastor of Grace Fellowship in York, Pennsylvania.

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