Cortland Trinity Baptist Church

     When Israel chose not to believe God at Kadesh Barnea God turned them as a nation back into the wilderness for forty years where all over the age of 21 died except for two men—Joshua and Caleb. They believed God in the midst of an entire nation that did not. They found the Lord’s favor and blessing because of their faith and obedience. However, they had to go back with the unbelieving nation and endure the forty years of wandering with the promise that one day they would inherit the Promised Land.

     I think there is truth here for today’s church. When we believe God and purpose to obey Him and we pray for His righteousness to prevail we often find ourselves in the midst of a nation (and sometimes others who say they are believers in Christ) that chooses to follow the path of political expediency and evil. This is disheartening. But our task as the believing church does not change. While we have to live in the midst of a nation that is choosing to follow Baal instead of the true God we do so with the endurance that comes from the Holy Spirit to keep on keeping on with the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just like Joshua and Caleb.

     Jesus warned us that spiritual deception would increase (Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 24). The apostle Paul told us that “perilous times” would come in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1). And John told us about “the spirit of the Antichrist which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world” (1 John 4:3).  And Jesus forewarned us of this when He said, “I have come in My Father’s name and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive” (John 5:43). We have lived to see this spirit of deception increase rapidly preparing the world for the man of sin—the Antichrist. It’s going to happen. We shouldn’t be alarmed.

     We must remember that God is able to do a great work through us whatever direction our nation chooses to follow. Many are saying and I concur, that we are about to see the greatest harvest of souls in the history of the church. The global cry for revival by millions of Christians will be heard and as a result masses of people will be converted. It’s already happening in other nations and I believe we will see this blessing here as well. A final sweeping move of the Holy Spirit prior to the rapture of the church. And beloved remember, that even during the tribulation period where evil will reach an apex God will save “a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations” (Revelation 7:9). THIS IS THE PRIMARY TASK OF THE CHURCH! The gospel is still the power of God to salvation. God’s grace is still greater than sin. The Holy Spirit’s power is still available to His church to do the greater works that Jesus spoke about (John 14:12-14). This is an exciting time to be alive for truly we are here for such a time as this!

     Let us be encouraged! God is at work! As evil increases so does the work of His Spirit among the faithful. So let us be numbered among the faithful. Let us not shrink back in fear but move forward in faith. As God’s judgments will surely increase opportunities for the church to step in and demonstrate the love and grace of Christ will increase. These opportunities are already upon us as we consider the storm that decimated the northeast coast of our nation and I believe they will increase.

     As someone once said, “Only a Christian can fall into a mud hole and come up with a fish in his pocket!” That’s the God we serve. He is faithful. He will take care of us and use us to do great things for His kingdom. Praise His holy name.