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The challenge at this time focuses on our allegiance to God and the depth of our relationship with him. He is revealing his activity according to his true nature as we see in scripture; false ties and false allegiances bring only compromise – it’s time to be radical, speaking the light of the kingdom into the darkness. The Lord spoke to his people through Isaiah –

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” (Isaiah 60:1-3)

Where there are man-made structures who’s roots are not strongly in the word of God then we will compromise God’s honour. The light which comes from God is a pure light formed out of worship and intimacy centred on prayer and an impartation of power. It is a time to wait and seek the Lord for this impartation such that a true revelation of the kingdom (i.e. the gospel) will be spoken out in boldness. This is what the disciples prayed for in Acts 4:29-30 – “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

This season is a time of accountability for us as individuals to know God and be known by him. We are called to be messengers of a mission. Paul said,

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

While everyone is looking for a naturally assumed solution to the world’s problems, we are to look heavenward. It is a time of waiting on the Lord for his instructions and taking up the depth of the ministry of reconciliation with God through the atonement as the only way for salvation and change. God himself will be the provider for people’s needs and prayer is the key. He is to become our protection and shield for us as his people – bringing salvation to the unbeliever. We must move again to this fundamental provision of salvation. – be born again by the Spirit.

What God has said we must abide in – it is his responsibility to bring new life. This mission statement has to be clearly settled in our minds such that the Holy Spirit is able to do his work.

“The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:7)

Our responsibility is to watch and wait for the Lord’s timing, looking for the turning of men and women’s hearts to be ready for the grace of God to draw their heart back to himself. The result will bring a spiritual climate of change resulting in revival. Quite different from the process of social justice. God is looking for a people who will walk in covenant with him; set apart and available for him.

“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)