September 16 devotional

Scripture

Isaiah 24: 4-5 “The earth dries up, the crops wither, the skies refuse to rain. The earth suffers for the sins of its people for they have twisted the instructions of God, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant.”

Observation

Isaiah is prophesying against the ungodly nations of his time. God is sending judgment on certain peoples. God is a loving God but He is also a righteous, holy, just God. God cannot wink or ignore injustice. His character causes him to act. One of God’s judgments is natural disasters. Here we see a famine is sent to the land because of the people’s sin. The earth dries up, the crops wither, and there is no rain. Why? The earth suffers because the people twist God’s Word, sin against him, and break their sacred promises. I don’t think we understand the power of the spiritual world. When the people sin, the spiritual world is disrupted and it has natural consequences. That would be an interesting Bible study.

Application

If God judged nations in the past, will he judge nations today? Will God judge America? Has God judged America? Are we in the midst of God’s judgment? America is full of sin. We call good evil and evil good. We twist God’s Word and live by our own standards. If God judged Moab, how could he not judge America? That would not be just. The solution is repenting of our sins and turning back to God. The church needs revival and our communities need a spiritual awakening. That is why we pray for transformation and a fresh outpouring of His Holy Spirit. We need a fresh encounter with God. We need a new Pentecost. We need God.

Prayer

I ask that you send a revival to every church in America. I ask your blessing upon every pastor. You promised to pour out your Spirit in the last days. You promised to pour out your spirit upon male and female, rich and pour, young and old. I ask for it. I ask for a spiritual awakening in every community in America. I ask that we will repent of our sins and wholeheartedly turn to you. I ask for transformation. Completely alter the spiritual climate of America. Send revival. Send a Spiritual Awakening. Heal our land.