Calling for a Solemn Meeting

 There are times in the life of our country that we need God's intervention because of a terrible situation. We could be facing a powerful enemy who is ready to attack. We could have serious economic conditions that threaten the stability of the economy. We might realize that the morals of our country have declined so much that our society might just fall apart. I am sorry to say that all of these things could be true of America today, so what are we, as believers, supposed to do?

The prophet Joel realized that the people of Judah faced this type of crisis in his day. God told him what to tell the people to do. We all need to hear this verse today, too. (Joel 1:14) "Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. Bring the leaders and all the people of the land into the Temple of the Lord your God, and cry out to Him there." Let's take a moment to see the wisdom in this verse.

Fasting gets God's attention. When we give up something that is essential to our well-being like eating, so we will make time in our schedule to pray to God, He knows we are serious about what we are praying. When a whole group of people fast together, that is really a sign to God that what they are seeking is very important. Then, when those people call for a solemn meeting of all the leaders and people to come together in the churches to pray. Our prayers reach a higher level in God's eyes.

We are solemn because we realize that our situation is beyond our ability to fix it. We acknowledge that only God can make things right again. We cry out to Him, not just in perfunctory prayers, but in anguish of heart. It is then that the all-powerful God of the universe will respond to the prayers of His people in a dramatic way that is according to His will. I pray that America's leaders would come to this point and call for this type of solemn meeting to save our country and to bring revival to us and the world.

Tomorrow, I intend to read Joel 2-3 and Amos 1.