* Article was published in the July edition of The Herald; a monthly publication of Green Hill Baptist Church
“The LORD is near to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed
in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
In recent days, our hearts have been broken and our
spirits have been crushed by the deplorable act of evil that visited Emanuel
AME Church in Charleston, SC. As a church, we pledge to stand with our brothers
and sisters and walk with them through this time of grieving and healing. We
know that the Lord our God is with His people, and He gives grace to those who
are broken hearted and crushed in spirit.
This act of violence clearly demonstrates the great need for
the gospel of Jesus Christ. Legislation can’t fix the problem of a sinful human
heart; only the gospel can accomplish this task. May we be driven to our knees
in prayer for revival and spiritual awakening to come to our churches, our
state, our nation and world. May our hearts be gripped by the commissioning
call of our Lord to take His reconciling, restoring, and redeeming gospel to
the ends of the earth.
Church, let us join together in prayer – desperate prayer
(Ps. 119:17-24). With desperate hearts, let us plead with God to revive His
people and to awaken hearts for His glory. I’ve heard about historical revivals
and spiritual awakenings, but I desire to see it with my own eyes. Don’t you? It’s
been said that God can do in a single moment what we can’t do in a lifetime. Paul
had it right when he said, “Now to Him
who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works within us…” (Eph. 3:20).
God alone opens the eyes of the blind. God alone dispels
darkness with the Light of His Truth. God’s kindness alone brings a sinner to
repentance and faith. God alone saves. Therefore, we must pray to the God of
heaven and earth, that He would “rend the
heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at His presence – as fire
kindles the brushwood, as fire causes water to boil – that He might make His
name known to His adversaries! That the nations might tremble at His presence!”
(Is. 64:1-2)
Friends, I truly desire to see what only God can do. It’s
time!
Serving Together,
Pastor Brett