The Time for Renewal is Now


At one time in our land, churches would hold “renewal meetings”. Some churches referred to them as “revival meetings.” Usually extending over a period of three to five days, most often a guest speaker would present a fresh challenge to those gathered nightly. The regular attendees of the church were implored to bring guests, and all would be encouraged to renew their basic Christian beliefs and commitment to Christ.

It is time for renewal again – individually, corporately as church bodies, and nationally.

I see in the news -March 25, 2010- where Osama bin Laden has again released an audio tape. This one, rather short in length, warns of further attacks against The United States if any of the Guantanamo terrorists are found guilty and executed. There is a little more to it than that, but that is the essence of it.

The last twenty-five years has seen increasing numbers of Islamist attacks against Western countries, and persons of Jewish and Christian faiths. It was convenient at first, due to slack security, to attack individuals and the consulates of nations abroad. Then the attacks moved to suicide bombers at Marine barracks in Beirut and in the open waters of the Persian Gulf. There were several attempts at killing and creating terror that fortuitously were uncovered by the authorities and stopped. Then in 2001, the attack on the World Trade Center brought the desire for conquest from militant Islam into the open. Suddenly the American people understood that these were not separate acts of violence perpetrated by unconnected persons, but a coordinated effort by sophisticated Islamist terrorists bent on destroying the Western culture.

This latest threat should be taken seriously as the terrorists are constantly developing new plans and acquiring new weapons. We now know, for example, that Al-Qaeda terrorists are training in Iran. Presumably with the Iranian military and government’s full knowledge and cooperation.

But in America there seems to be little concern. We take for granted the efforts by our nation and the peace-loving nations of the world to subdue and eliminate this terrorist threat. We assume safety. However, we must not ignore the very real danger posed by these people. These terrorists know that they could never defeat Western soldiers in traditional battle – so they have devised violent guerrilla tactics to deliver death to American people.

They also know that the West has left its Christian moorings and is adrift morally and spiritually. They believe that Americans will eventually succumb to jihad ferocity, saying “Enough!” and raising the crescent moon and star of Islam over Washington, DC. Why shouldn’t they believe this? They understand that America is in a spiritual vacuum. America is in need of renewal.

It is time for us to recall and relive the words spoken by the LORD to Solomon: “If my people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
It is time for each of us bow before the powerful Presence, pray and seek the face of Jesus, our Lord.

This renewed vitality will provide courage in our souls.
This renewed morality will invite healing to our land.
This renewed love will invite our enemies to Christ.

The time for renewal is now.