Holding a Hurricane

 We are at the end of hurricane season. Imagine the foolishness of some person thinking they can singlehandedly hold the hurricane and control its destructive force. That would be foolish and dangerous. It is equivalent to any person or group of people thinking they can hold and control real moves of God. 

We have grown accustomed to controlling religion. We have it down pat. We can organize, synchronize, and strategize worship, evangelism, discipleship and fellowship to the most minute detail. That does not mean we have held the move of God. In fact, all of that might just be indication there has not been a move of God. 

I have spent much of my adult life reading about moves of God in history. We call them revivals. When they come as seldom as they have in the past one thing I have noted. Nobody can control it. The wind of God's spirit blows where He wants and as long as He wants. He blows with such force the masses are caught up in it. The most hardened hearts are melted. 

I am reading now about such a move on the Asbury College campus one cold February morning. What started out as a typical organized chapel service turned into a hurricane of God's movement in Hughes Auditorium that lasted for several straight days without a break. Students lined up to confess sin, testify, pray, sing, and God swept through the campus, in a nearby seminary, and eventually all across the United States. Many repented. Many were saved. Many hearts were set afire by the blazing spirit of God. 

Classes had to be canceled. The cafeteria did not get frequented as often. Exams had to be postponed. Schedules had to be rearranged. Hughes Auditorium lights were left on continuously for days. 

I ache for the Spirit of God to come blow across this land in hurricane force that no preacher, no church, or no denomination can control and manipulate. I yearn for days of repentance, spiritual awakening and cultural transformation. If American will ever be great again, it will take a hurricane move of God to return us back to Him. Please Lord send it before it is too late. 

Days of Sorrow

 I stood outside a few days ago on what looked like a beautiful blue sky afternoon. I busied myself in activities and lost track of what else was happening around me. When I looked up later it surprised me to discover ominous dark clouds blowing in from the north indicating inclement weather approaching. 

That scene perfectly describes what people face on a daily basis. Their worlds may be blessed, content, and even joy filled then the storm clouds blow in. They are blindsided. Days of sorrow overtake and cloud out days of peace and happiness. When hands used to be held high in prayers of praise are now pulled down clutching their sorrowed souls. 

I experienced such a day yesterday. A day filled with sorrows. None of the sorrows were mine to experience but what I experienced through others. 

The first came with a request for prayer for a friend yesterday in a meeting. I did not know the circumstances. The news shared drove deep into my heart like a jackhammer. I felt the pain deeply and prayed with a sorrowful heart. The sting of that sad news still lingers. 

Later that same day another friend confided in me something so private and gut wrenchingly sad I could not believe it. I sat stunned. I did not know how to react. The sorrow pierced my tough exterior all the way to the core. The confession hurt. I still carry it today as I write this. Another sorrow added to the other sorrow. 

A third sorrow followed that day that I am not at liberty to capture in print. Suffice it to say it hurt as badly as the first two. I hurt for others affected. People are struggling under the weight of heavy sorrows. Death. Poverty. Failure. Stress. Inflation. Unemployment. Sin. Despair. Sorrows surround us. They swirl around like savage storms sweeping up everyone in its path. 

Our hope and help are found in God through His word. I love the truth found in Ps 42:5. We see despair. We see disturbed minds and hearts. We also find the hope and help that God offers. To put that another way, we find hope by waiting expectantly for Him. 

Let's be honest. How many like waiting? Especially when enduring sorrows? If we wait we are assured we will find help. Help means we will find deliverance and be saved. My friends need deliverance from grief, pain, disappointment, sadness, and despair. God is more than able to deliver from all of them. 

I have personally experienced God turn days of sorrow into days of praise and thanksgiving. He has even taught me to rejoice in the middle of it all. He is faithful. More than faithful. I have learned I can trust Him and depend on Him. So can you even in days of sorrow.