And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…

-  2 Peter 1.19

Having gathered the wretchedness of human life from considerations of daily experience, and at the same time dismayed by the divine prophecies…we are not trying to arouse others’ inertia so much as our own…

-        Columbanus, Sermon XIII, Irish, 7^th century[1]

It may perhaps have come to the attention of some readers that we are – OK, I am – from time to time, rather frank and unapologetic in pointing out the sad state of the contemporary Church.

I can only speak from my own daily experience, compared with what I read in Scripture. And, more often than I would like, these just don’t match up.

May I just assure you that I do not relish such observations, nor do I take delight in, well, complaining about the state of the faith in our day?

Indeed, it is painful, for before I can indict my fellow believers for their shortcomings, I have to wear that indictment myself. I have to be willing to be convicted of my own sins, piqued for my own failings, or moved to get busy in directions I have too long neglected or ignored – roused from my own inertia, even as I plead with God to rouse others from theirs.

As you can imagine, I do not always succeed.

My journals are full of insights, observations, resolutions, renewed intentions, determinations to do better, and frank admissions that I have failed once again. I want to believe that I’m doing better; I want to think I’m improving. I hope so.

But the reality is frequently as disappointing as it is encouraging.

Nevertheless, I mustn’t wait until I am fully sanctified to continue the ministry to which God has called me. Neither should you. By thy time we achieve that objective, we’ll all be in glory, and there’ll be no place for the work we’ve been given to do here and now.

For now, each of us must pay careful and personal attention to the Word, and let it penetrate to the depths of our souls, so that it can work its transforming power in us.

But we must also be faithful in urging our fellow believers to wear the indictments we must wear, so that together we may hope that the Lord will revive us and move us forward in seeking His Kingdom and righteousness.

May we join together in prayer and encouragement, seeking repentance and revival, striving for the brighter shining within and through us of the Morning Star and the new day.

Psalm 25.1-5 (Festal Song: “Revive Thy Work, O Lord”)
I lift my soul to You! O Lord, in You I trust.
Let me not come to shame, nor let my foes o’er me exult.

All they who wait on You shall never come to shame;
Yet they to shame shall come who stand against Your holy Name.

Make me to know Your ways, teach me Your paths, O Lord!
My Savior, all day long I wait and seek You in Your Word.

Speak to me, O Lord, and transform me into the image of Jesus.

Restore Us!
We need to pray for revival, renewal, and awakening – beginning in our own souls – or we will surely not realize these in our lifetime. Are you praying daily for revival? Have you gathered some friends to seek the Lord together for revival? Here are two resources that can get you started in this important work. Our booklet, Restore Us!, contains everything you need to begin praying daily for revival – rationale, prayer guides, psalms to sing. It can also show you how to lead a group of people praying for revival. You can order copies for yourself and your friends by clicking here.

And men, if you have not yet downloaded the brief paper, Men of the Church: A Solemn Warning, then you should do so today. Come on, if I have to wear this indictment, so should you! Let the prophet Zephaniah rouse you to action for prayer, and join the movement of men who are seeking the Lord for revival in our day.

Psalms to Pray for Today and Tuesday
Today
Morning: Psalm 119.121-128; Psalm 135
Evening: Psalm 59

Tuesday
Morning: Psalm 119.129-136; Psalm 136
Evening: Psalm 60

T. M. Moore, Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.