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"Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy."
(Proverbs 31:8-9)
Much of what I will write about in today's devotion is what I will share this weekend on my weekly podcast, REvangelical. I invite you to listen when it comes out on Saturday. I believe it is one of the most important episodes we have ever recorded. Pray and ask God to use it for His glory. Pray for this message to reach those who need to hear it the most.
Recently, I finished reading the latest book by Eric Metaxas entitled, Letter to the American Church. In a nutshell, here is the thrust of the book: The Church in America is currently at the same tipping point where the German Church was in the 1930s, just prior to and during the rise of Adolf Hitler. Most of the pastors and churches were silent in the face of warning signs. Most refused to speak up and challenge the authorities over them. As a result, Hitler killed 6 million Jews, and in the course of the war, 73 million people lost their lives. Metaxas believes that if the Church in the USA remains silent, then a worse fate will come to the world.
Our world is in a desperate condition. Jesus is still in control, no doubt, and He is coming back. We rejoice in this wonderful hope we have in Him. God's Word tells us what life will be like prior to His return for His church and what it will be like when He returns with His Church. The Book of Revelation gives vivid and graphic details on the condition of the world, the rise of the antichrist, and what will transpire in those days of Great Tribulation. Our world is ripe and ready for the emergence of this individual, the man of lawlessness, to appear on the world scene.
Before we look at our country and our spiritual condition, think with me for a few moments as to the condition of our world. Followers of Jesus are being persecuted with severity all over the world. The Church in China is underground, as is the Church in Iran. It is becoming more and more difficult for those who love Jesus. I feel like the psalmist in Psalm 10:3-4 when he states:
"For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire;
He blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD.
The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
God is in none of his thoughts."
Evil abounds, and in many instances, the Church is quiet and does not speak out against evil and the harm it causes. This is certainly not what God and His Word call us to do.
Be sure and check out tomorrow's devotion where I share with you how one man overseas, in whose home I was present just last year, stood boldly for Christ and was beaten for his faith.
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