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God, I've heard what our ancestors say about you, and I'm stopped in my tracks, down on my knees. Do among us what you did among them. Work among us as you worked among them. And as you bring judgment, as you surely must, remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2 The Message)
Happy and Blessed Friday, dear Friend! I pray God's mercy be upon us as we wind down the work week and prepare to have time to relax, refresh, and renew ourselves. And that comes through prayer. I ask that we pray for those in the paths of storms. May God bless and protect all who are in harm's way.
Many have been the time we have longed for the "good ole days" when it comes to the Church. Many of us of a certain age remember full houses on Sunday morning, our Sunday school classrooms were brimming with kids, and we wonder just what has happened? Some churches are full, thank God; but the average church is not. Maybe that's what's wrong? Being average? I have reached the point that I pray not for a full house, but for my heart to be full of love and joy for God has, is, and will do, in me, you, and His Church. I truly believe we serve a God of revival and renewal. Just like our lawn went from a nice shade of dry brown, the recent rains have once again reminded me that grass should be green!
Can you imagine what Habakkuk was praying for? It was many years ago, in this very town, on the steps of the church during a youth retreat, a young Rev. Rudolfo Barrera was assigned to the high school class to do a presentation on this book. I remember he said, "The best way to remember the name of this book is to think, 'Have a Coke!'" And that stayed with me to this day. The summary of this book; "It was sinfulness as usual." The people of God were oppressing the poor, offering up worship and sacrifices to idols, ignoring God's law -- "just another night in the big city." The first two chapters of this tiny book are a dialog between the prophet and God. By the time we get to chapter three, the prophet is praying this simple but necessary prayer: Lord, as I've heard about what You did among my ancestors, I stop in my tracks and kneel before You. Would you do again what you did with my great, great-grandparents? Would you bless us, like they were blessed? Would you forgive us, like your forgave them? Would healing and wholeness be possible among such a sinful people? And when we reach the point of departure from this life, would You welcome us in to Your presence with mercy?
The cry is for revival and renewal. The desire is to know God better in a way that restores Him to His right place in our lives and in our society. And if only one person lifts up this prayer, will God listen? The answer is yes, certainly so. And if you, dear reader, would pray a prayer along these lines, would it bless more than us? Again, yes. As long as there are people praying for one another, God is certainly at work among us. If our prayer is for revival, God will revive us; and if our prayer is for renewal, then yes, God will bring a newness to our faith. That is hope. That is our hope. That is our active, living faith, seeking to know and to get others to know the God that loves us. And as long as we continue to pray in such a way, that hope will grow and the blessings will be seen.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, shower us with Your Spirit in ways that bring us renewed hope, and stronger faith. We pray for these to be "The good ole days." Help us to love one another, to work with one another, and to bring more into the fold as Your sheep. This we pray in faith in Christ Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a beacon of hope to someone today!
Eradio Valverde
PS Some time ago we studied Those Who Said Yes to Jesus and a lot of what I shared was inspired and blessed by a book called, "The Master's Men" by William Barclay. It's a powerful little book and you can get a copy by clicking on this link.
THE MASTERS MEN
