This is one of many devotions by Dutch Sheets that you can find on ‘Give Him 15’
Making History
Several years ago I was gripped by the thought: I can either watch history being made or I can make it. I wasn’t thinking about becoming famous, but of shaping history. I decided to become one of the history makers, not just a watcher.
I love the song History Maker, written by Martin Smith, the former lead singer for the U.K. Christian band, Delirious. The lyrics speak of the power of prayer, of cloudless skies breaking forth with rain, of miraculous healings, and broken-hearted people becoming history makers. If you’ve never heard it, check it out. I think you’ll like it.
Though I love the song and its concept, in another sense of the word, we’re all participating in the history-making process. The only questions—which we are all answering with our lives—are: 1) What history are we writing? and 2) Will we write it intentionally or by default? We all help shape history, one way or another.
Facing the Giant
When David was about to face the giant, Goliath, his older brother mocked him over what seemed like such a preposterous idea. David’s response was to ask the poignant question, “Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel 17:29). Would it come as a surprise if I told you the word “cause” also means “history?” David was very possibly asking his brother and fellow Israelites the question, “Is there not a history?” He could have been thinking of past history, which we will discuss later, but it is entirely possible David was thinking of the future—a history to write. “Come on guys,” David may have been imploring, “history will record what we do here today. Will we go down in history as giant-killers or cowards? Will we fight for God and country or will we flee? Don’t allow this giant to define us; let faith in God define us!”
Interestingly, Goliath’s name actually comes from a root word meaning “to expose or reveal.”(1) How appropriate. Giants of adversity will most assuredly reveal our character. Are we a David? A Caleb? Or, like Israel’s soldiers who fled from Goliath, are we cowards? David refused to be defined by cowardice. He chose, rather, to be defined by a cause.
America’s Destiny
Our purpose as a nation is to partner with Christ, just as Israel did, becoming a light to the nations. Our divine calling is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ from these shores to the ends of the earth. And it is to be an example of what Yahweh will do for a nation “whose God is the Lord” (Psalms 33:12).
America’s giants have exposed our character flaws; our calling has been in jeopardy. Rather than exporting the gospel, we are now the leading exporter of pornography, as well as other forms of depravity through film and music.(2) America is literally trafficking in filth! Portions of the shocking history we are writing today will one day shame us. But as the following example shows us, dirges can be transformed into songs of victory.
John Newton lived in the 1700s. For part of his life, he was a slave trader, the lowest of the low. Through a series of events, Newton came to Christ and became one of the leaders of the abolitionist movement. He actually pastored William Wilberforce, who is credited with playing the most significant role in the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.
Newton wrote the song Amazing Grace. Sung more than 10 million times annually and recorded on 11,000 albums, it has been intoned more than any song in history.
Newton, whom satan used to torment many and help write some of the ugliest chapters in world history, was transformed and given the song that has comforted hundreds of millions of people. America, too, will experience God’s amazing grace and recover from its evils. She will write a new song, a song not about oppression and injustice, but about the beauty of life and freedom.
Christ Wants to Restore America
Jesus said to Jerusalem, “You did not recognize the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:44). Unfortunately, the word “visitation” does not clearly communicate what Christ had offered them. He was not simply referencing a “visit.” The Greek word is episcope, from which we get the words “bishop,” “overseer,” and “superintendent.” Jesus was actually saying to Jerusalem, “I came to cover you, to be your Shepherd and Protector. I wanted to take you as a mother hen would her chicks and hide you under My wings, covering and protecting you. But you did not recognize this” (see Luke 13:34).
We in America are currently receiving the same offer Christ made to Jerusalem. God is giving us an opportunity to return to Him and the promise of His loving care. His desire is to demonstrate that righteousness—not money, power, or pleasure—exalts a nation (see Proverbs 14:34). Jesus is knocking at America’s door, asking will you receive Me back into this nation as your Shepherd and Bishop, allowing Me to cover, protect and lead you? Will you once more become a nation under God?
Millions of God-fearing and honoring Americans are rising up to answer this question. And a remnant of the body of Christ is doing its part through prayer. Failures are being confessed, appeals are being made, and decrees are being released. God honors intercession. It still works. We must refuse to surrender this nation to humanists, atheists, liberal politicians, and individuals who want the influence of God and the Bible removed from America. Though much ground has been lost to these ungodly forces, God has said it is absolutely not too late. We will appeal to Him for change. We will always walk in tolerance and love. But loving people doesn’t equate to giving them everything they want, nor should tolerance be confused with abdication.
Just as David did, we can write a righteous history for America. The giants of sin and godlessness in our nation can absolutely be conquered and the hearts of people can most certainly be won. Though the taunting giants may mock us in the name of their gods, just as Goliath did Israel’s army, we can daily and fervently decree biblical promises such as, “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20, KJV). And the great promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 is still true today, “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 I will heal their land.” I believe this with all my heart and live for this hope.
We in America are not at the mercy of principalities, powers, and spiritual giants. Though the past several years have been devastating, we can write a new and glorious chapter for our nation. Let’s do it! Let’s continue to humble ourselves, call upon God, and stay on the offense through prayer. If we do so, confessing the sins of America and appealing to God for mercy, He will answer our prayers and pour out His Spirit on this land once again. He will!
The giants wrote America’s last chapter; we—the praying church—will write the next one.
Pray with me:
Father, David asked, “Is there not a history?” We, too, are asking this same question, “What history will we write?” Give us dedicated intercessors, leaders, patriots, and warriors that accept only one answer, “We will take out the spiritual giants that have been allowed to rule our nation.” May we not cower in fear of their size, wealth, weapons, or mockery. May we instead run toward them with Your name on our lips.
Transform many in our nation the way You did John Newton. Give us a new song! Give us a grace anthem. May America write songs that comfort billions. May the world be able to say of us, “America lost her way but, look, she is found!” May the song of the gospel ring out from these shores again! May the song of liberty ring out from these shores again! May the song of covenant with God ring out from these shores again!
We boldly declare that no giant, no principalities, will continue to rule over us. The blood of the Lord, Jesus, is cleansing and freeing us! The stronghold of death will be broken. The stronghold of covenant breaking will be broken. Strongholds of injustice will be broken. Strongholds of idolatry will be broken. Giants will fall, principalities will come down! The history we hand our children will be one of a saved America and a worldwide revival! Amen.
Our decree:
We decree that God‘s amazing grace is sufficient!
Most of today’s post was taken from my book Giants Will Fall.
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