THE NEEDED BREAKTHROUGH

                                THE NEEDED BREAKTHROUGH

 “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You shall make me to know wisdom.” Psalm 51:6

 

   Many years ago, nearing the end of the Charismatic Revival, during one service the pastor asked the people of the congregation what they were believing God for. The people began to testify confessing various requests they had, like healings for themselves or someone else, salvation for loved ones, and so on. There was an air of excitement and faith in the congregation. Just then a brother stood up to testify, one who never did, and he was in tears. He went on to say that the Lord had just spoke to him, almost as if in a rebuke with these words, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you!” (Matthew 6:33). Well that ended the testimony time, and left us all pondering.

  Now decades later, here in Canada and the West, we are watching the moral and spiritual deterioration of our nation spiraling out of control. Once again new converts are rare, most of our youth do not know Jesus, and it seems so many of them that had faith are sliding away. We are in a most serious and desperate time once again. We realize that the return of Jesus is nearer than ever, BUT THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL IS NOT YET COMPLETE! There is more to be done, people need to know Jesus and get saved! So in desperation many have been crying out to God for revival and intervention. It seems that we have come to our wit’s end (which is probably a good thing). Speaking even more personally, I have been finding prayer harder than ever, and I know that we need to pray Luke 18:1. Finally in desperation and frustration I asked the Lord what He was wanting or looking for in us? What does He expect for Him to step in and intervene on our behalf in response to our prayers for the current situation? Surely we have nothing else to offer, and for certain there is little we can do to see the miracles needed for lives to be converted, changed, and surrendered Him.
2 Chronicles 7:14 no doubt comes into play somewhere. True, God has His timing, and to us it is all according to grace by faith, but I feel to persevere the way Jacob did when he wrestled with the angel. How can we just stand by and see all this and not do anything?! Like David said when Israel was facing Goliath, "Is there not a cause?" 1 Samuel 17:29

   That night I had a dream. All I can recall is what the Lord seemed to say to me (not just to me in particular, but to us in general), and emphatically so, “I desire truth in the inner parts!” When I awoke I was deeply concerned and a little bewildered as to what He meant. Was I, or am I not walking in truth from my heart??? As I pondered this in my heart before the Lord, this passage of Scripture came to my mind. It was regarding Hannah, Samuel’s mother, Elkanah’s wife. In their day Israel was again backslidden, under the oppression of the Philistines, the chief priest was careless and going blind and his two sons were wicked and did not know the Lord. The Word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no open vision. The Lord shut Hannah’s womb so she could not bear children while Elkanah’s second wife could, and who deliberately provoked and humiliated her. In total desperation she promised the Lord that if He allowed her to have a son that she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life and consecrate him as a Nazarene.

 Apparently that is exactly what the Lord was looking for, and offering without anything attached to it!

  So what are we looking for when we petition the Lord? First of all we must petition Him in faith, “…for without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Then it must be according to His will 1 John 5:14-15. Of course we have need of patience, so that after we have done the will of God we may inherit the promises. Hebrews 10:36.  And our motives must be right, James 4:3

  So now in this situation, where people are perishing daily, darkness is gaining ground, and many believers are becoming increasingly oppressed by ungodliness, it is not a time to sit back and be spiritually idle.. True we can only continue doing what the Lord is asking us to do, and I for one am certain that the work of the Kingdom of God is needing all our heart's effort. However, in light of the above Scripture I do have to examine my motives and my heart. Is there anything attached to my prayers and petitions. Is there any claim to glory, prosperity, leadership or control? Is there any evil attitude toward the church today and its leadership? Is there unbelief regarding the faithfulness of God? Do I have any personal or hidden agenda regarding any of my expressions of faith and intentions for the things of God? Am I walking in love, humility, forgiveness, repentance? Am I deceived, or being just religious and walking in the flesh? Is His Kingdom and His righteousness my first priority? Is there any reluctance or defiance regarding my walk with Jesus??? Do my prayers have conditions - hidden or otherwise?
 True, we sometimes (or often) do not know what we are asking for when we petition the Lord for something, because the request's demand may be far larger that the sacrifice offered. But what drives me on and I am sure many of you, is the need for all the precious souls, saints and sinners alike, with whom we are bound to by faith and love. What about them. Our strength and abilities are tiny, but our Heavenly Father is Bigger than the Universe. It is not too difficult for Him. Did not the boy only give Jesus five loaves and a few small fish for Him to feed the five thousand plus? That was all he had, but that was all Jesus needed from him - all that he had John 6.5-13
 Let us examine our hearts and motives before God that there may be only truth in our innermost parts. Ask Him to expose any thinking or way that is not pleasing in His sight (Psalm 139:23-24), and then keep moving ahead in faith, hope, and obedience that we may see this generation won for JESUS!

 

  After writing this article I am more convinced than ever that we are on course and had better be getting ready for a harvest, and expect the unexpected in humility and the fear of the Lord. "You are faithful to all generations." Psalm 119:90 He will visit us again, with us or without us!
 
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord , till He come and rain righteousness
upon you." Hosea 10: 12