I was just thinking about how our country has changed over the past 250 years. From a nation that depended upon God’s grace to exist to one that seemingly has forgotten that He is still the Creator, Provider and Sustainer of our liberty. Since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, it appears that revival is beginning to sweep across the country, especially on college and university campuses. The fact is that the largest and most effective revivals in our nation’s history began on college campuses. It is heartwarming to see that many are coming to Christ in our time.
It’s great that such is happening on the campuses, but what about the churches? I firmly believe that revival is needed in the churches across the country. We need to come before the Lord as He is, just as we are.
Let Us Come Before the Lord in True Worship
The psalmist wrote, “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flocks under his care…” (Psalm 95:6-7 NIV1984). I am reminded of the song that says, “Here we are to worship; here we are to bow down, here we are to say ‘You’re my God.” You’re altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me.”
Let Us Come Before the Lord, Turning from Sins
Let’s face it, we live in a sinful nation. Hatred, corruption, murders, thievery, abuse and so many other despicable sins are rampant. I feel that we rarely truly worship with clean hearts. We harbor resentment, grudges and jealousy, and those characteristics hinder true worship. Look at this from the prophet, “Perhaps they will bring their petition before the Lord, and each will turn from his wicked ways, for the anger and wrath pronounced against this people by the Lord are great” (Jeremiah 36:7). Yes, that is an Old Testament verse, but God has not changed. He desires that His people repent and turn from wickedness.
Let Us Come Before the Lord in Submission and Humility
The wise King Solomon said there was a season for everything. However, in some churches — frivolity, laughter and fun replaced submission to the Holy Spirit and humility before the Lord. I assure you that there is a time to laugh, but there is also a time to mourn. As a nation and as individuals, we need to mourn the sinfulness that prevails in our land. The half-brother of Jesus wrote, “Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:7-10).
It is one thing for us to gather in our churches, but it is another thing to develop the position of coming before the Lord. Once we have truly repented and turned from our wickedness, then we can rejoice over the forgiveness granted by the Lord.
Let Us Come Before the Lord with Gladness and Joy
This may seem like a direct contradiction to what I just shared, but let me tell you, sin takes away true joy. Repentance brings back that joy. “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:1-3).
