Time for revival

John Hatcher is pastor of Outreach International Center, 1091 South Jeff Davis Drive, Fayetteville, Georgia 30215. 770-719-0303

By John Hatcher
Contributing Writer

Once, Jesus and his disciples were in a horrific storm on the Sea of Galilee. Apparently Jesus didn’t mind that much because he was in the hold of the boat enjoying a deep sleep. The disciples — some of whom were former men of the sea — were scared out of their wits. They were thinking, “This is it!”

So, they called on their only resource for a time like this. They woke up the Lord from his siesta. After a little faith and fear talk with his followers, Jesus rebuked the wind and the sea. The result was astonishing: the sea became calm. The disciples of Jesus were amazed, asking one another, “What kind of man is this that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

What is so interesting to me is that Jesus “rebuked” the storm as he would often rebuke a demon spirit. In Matthew 17:18, we see a man who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus. The boy would often fall into fires and into water. Jesus directed the boy to be brought to him. Matthew’s accounting tells us what happened: Jesus rebuked the demon, the demon came out of the boy, and the boy was cured at once. Wow!

Where do you go from this point? One could ask if anyone rebuked Charley as he headed toward the Gulf shores of south Florida. Surely there was a lot of reporting about where Charley was and where he might hit land. But, did anyone rebuke Charley? The truth is that many people were calling out to God to steer Charley away from land. I don’t doubt a bit that many prayers were going up at the end of last week.

One could ask just where was God Friday the 13th? Was he spooked, too, by the date? Did he take a holiday in Greece abandoning all the good old folks of south Florida? I mean, if there is a God (and I do believe there is), why didn’t he do something to stop Charley in his tracks? Lives lost! Families devastated! Billions in damage! Retirement plans of thousands changed overnight! Hundreds, if not thousands, of retirees now don’t have a clue how they will live out the rest of their lives here on earth!

One could also ask, perhaps, does God care what happened? Is he grieving? Is his heart broken over precious senior adults who now don’t have a clue about tomorrow? From what I know about God, yes, he is grieving and compassionately cares for his children of south Florida.

August 13 is not too far from September. 11. Just three years ago, this country faced horrific tragedy as 3,000 precious souls were swept away into eternity with four fast jets. At that time also, people asked heavy questions of God. Where was he September 11, 2001? Could not he derail the plans of a handful of misguided misfits? Does a corrupt Islam have greater power than the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

You know the rest of the story perhaps better than I. Because on Sept. 11, 2001 I was on my way to East Africa to spend three weeks teaching on Christian marriage.

The nation grieved as one people three years ago. No one wanted to give the Democratic response or the Republican response. We came together and gave an American response. The unity of spirit and deed amazed all of us as we longed to see it continue. But it didn’t.

On September 14, 2001, the Rev. Billy Graham was called on to say some words on the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance. I only caught bits and pieces of his remarks because the satellite TV at my Ugandan guest house was going off and on. But, Rev. Graham referred to those things to which I have already referred in relation to Charley.

But, then he concluded: “Finally, difficult as it may be for us to see right now, this event can give a message of hope — hope for the present, and hope for the future. Yes, there is hope. There is hope for the present because I believe the stage has already been set for a new spirit in our nation. One of the things we desperately need is a spiritual renewal in this country. And God has told us in His Word, time after time, that we are to repent of our sins and we’re to turn to Him and He will bless us in a new way.”

Rev. Graham’s message rings as clear today as three years ago. As the United States of America faces trial after trial, the message of God remains the same. Columbine happened April 20, 1999: teenaged killers shooting precious children at school. Some thought Columbine would be the wake-up call we needed. People cried and church houses saw a modest increase in attendance. But, as soon as Columbine took to the inside of the newspaper, we went back to our old ways.

As we went to war with Iraq, military leaders contemplated thousands of young Americans being killed in combat. We were all praying and church attendance increased slightly. After successfully entering Baghdad with few casualties, we went back to our old ways.

God has set the stage for revival so many times for America. So many times, he has given us an opportunity to humble ourselves and pray, to seek the very face of God, and then turn from our wicked ways. If we do those four things He has promised to hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land. And boy does our land need healing. Our President can’t go to south Florida to comfort victims without someone suggesting he’s only doing it for political reasons.

Revival! That’s what America needs. It really doesn’t matter who gets elected President. We need revival. What will it take for America to get on bended knee before an awesome God and repent of our sins?

Southwest Florida gives us another opportunity. Charley, wherever he came from, even from the pit of hell, can give us a new opportunity for revival. They say another storm is brewing in the vast Atlantic. They say it’s possible for a new storm to pass over the same devastated land.

What will it take to shake America so that we all will turn to God in repentance, renewed faith in Him and one another, and a long-term sense of unity among our leaders? The aftermath of 9/11 gave us a taste of unity among our leaders. It was a glorious taste.

Revival from flattened mobile home parks? It’s possible. I believe God wants a spiritual revival in America. Will you join me in the genuine process of humbling, praying, seeking, and turning from our sins?