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Intention

Revival ignited through persecution

Scripture

“… you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.” (Isaiah 43:1-4 NASB)

“… if you keep silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-16 NASB)

Reflection

Western Christians are living in increasingly disturbing times. This is highlighted by former MP George Christensen in a recent article on The Daily Declaration, “The Fall of the West: Decadence”:

“Today, in the West, we are also witness to civilisational collapse even if we are yet to realise it, as the fall has already begun and will only rapidly accelerate, primarily due to the nature of the cultural values that have become dominant within our society.

A sense of community and even familial bonds is weak; an entire generation has grown up coming to hate their Western heritage and identity; and materialism, self-indulgence, and instant gratification are rife.”

With this breakdown of our cultural values comes an increasing hostility against Christianity, the source of those cultural values.

Many years ago, I received a revelation of such a time as this, of increasing persecution that would ultimately see Western Christians, at best, marginalised and, at worst, persecuted like we see in hardline Islamic and Communist nations. However, this persecution would precede a global collapse resulting in an unequalled revival (unfortunately, unpacking this revelation will need more than a short devotion).

One of my favourite sayings is “be alert, but not alarmed”. This approaching time, which we may be on the cusp of now, is no different.

The Scripture passages I’ve chosen show two things:

1) Regardless of our circumstances, God is with us, working out His deeply laid plans for our welfare and benefit and His salvation plans for the lost. However grim the situation, we can with Joseph say, “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).

2) We were all created with a God-ordained destiny, so we are all, like Esther, born “for such a time as this”. You are uniquely destined by God for great works because God does extraordinary things through ordinary people.

So, in the face of increasing hostility, God is the Great Confounder. Just as He confounded the plans of the Amalekite, Haman, in the Book of Esther, He will confound the enemy in whatever the future holds — for the glory of His Name.

For this reason, we should never look at issues as either won or lost. In fact, culture war battles could all be lost, and yet nothing is ever truly lost from God’s perspective. God will be the Victor! Hold fast to the words of the Psalmist: “Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realise that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth. Here he stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us!” (Ps. 46:10-11 TPT)

Video

Prayer

We thank You, Lord of the Angel Armies, that the battle is Yours and not ours. Yet You choose to work Your will through our frail flesh so that we share in Your victory. We ask that You keep us mindful of Your reality when our circumstances are difficult, so we can find rest and peace through Your intimate presence in us.

In Jesus’ victorious name, Amen.

Author Bio

Kim is the owner of a business involved in the marketing of domestic insulation products in Sydney, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains. With his wife, Margaret, he is a member of Padstow Baptist Community Church in Sydney’s South-West, and has for many years had a deep interest in the intersections between science and Christianity, as well as politics. They have two adult children, two grandchildren & six grandpets.

Prayer Points for 31 Days of Prayer & Fasting for Revival

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2. Pray that the Lamb who was slain might receive the reward for His suffering. Revelation 5:6-14
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