Morning Moments

As we conclude our consideration of Habakkuk 3:2, consider this:

Any revitalization of faith has to start with prayer. Prayer in which we gain a fresh sense of the presence of the Living God. It is not money we need, but mercy! It is mercy that one needs when caught and convicted. We need to plead for mercy, not miracles, but when we get the mercy we will see the miracles. Our text is a plea for mercy.

The Great Awakening of 1735 successfully met and overcame the deadly spiritual indifference of that day, as did the Revival of the 1800s which enabled America to triumph over infidelity and skepticism. In 1845 America staggered over the slavery issue and desperately needed a revival of spiritual strength to carry through. In 1857 God did it again by bringing His people to revival.

In a day when many of us are educated to the hilt, we need the fire to fall from heaven so that the very foundation of hell might be shaken. Today's Christianity seems to desire conversion with no demand for change and unquestioned commitment and consecration, and Christians without character and "it just ain't gonna happen". We need less cleverness in the pulpit and more crying in the pew.

May God grant us once again that "old time religion" that shuts down the porn shops and shows, that keeps our necks out of the noose of the net, that puts righteousness back into religion, prayer back into the hearts of our pupils, power back into the lives of preachers, and conviction back into the life of the congreations.

O Lord...remember MERCY!