Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. ~Psalm 42:11
When I happen upon this quote by the Reverend Billy Graham, I'm instantly inspired. My word for the year - GRACE - clamors for my immediate attention. But it's the way he links grace with mercy and hope that really gets my thoughts whirling. How is hope even possible for our minds to grasp if our loving Father didn't place it there when He created us? And how can we even begin to comprehend the depth of God's mercy and grace unless we confess that we are sinful beings in desperate need of a Savior?
It is all interconnected. Inextricably intertwined. A trinity without which we neither live, move nor have our being.
Simple, isn't it? Then why, when we see the chaos and confusion in our world today, are so many people despondent and discouraged? Their souls, as so aptly expressed by the psalmist, are cast down and despondent. They crave solutions, release, happiness, freedom, but hopes placed upon anything other than God will never satisfy.
To paraphrase a popular song (or two), they are literally looking for love in all the wrong places, not realizing that they can't get no satisfaction outside of God Himself.
Blessedly, here in the United States, there appears to be a spiritual revival afoot, especially among the younger generations. This could not happen at a more crucial time in our country's history. In a Fox News op-ed written by the Reverend Samuel Rodriguez and published on June 1st, he states in part:
This is the age of Aquinas and Augustine, of Kierkegaard and Lewis, of Tolkien, Lennox, Wright, and others. An age where orthodoxy is not an obstacle but a lifeline. Young men and women are hungry for truth, tired of relativism, and ready for something real. This is the pendulum swinging back. Not toward nostalgia - but toward a rediscovery of eternal absolutes.
He goes on to highlight the cultural shift in perceptions about God and Christ as witnessed in American Idol contestants unapologetically performing worship songs, to the NFL players (and many college players, too) sharing prayer time before and after games. Rodriguez attests: The name of Jesus is being lifted - not with fanfare, but with authenticity.
If this trend continues to gather steam and attention, who knows how many lives can and will be saved for eternity? A nation that places its hope in God will not just survive, it will thrive!
So, thank you, Reverend Graham. The evangelism to which you committed your long and illustrious life has proved fruitful, indeed. God's mercy is reigning over this land, so there isn't a reason for any of us to be downcast. May we freely lift our unified voices to boldly and joyfully sing: America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.
Amen!
It will thrive...yes, indeed. Beautiful, Martha.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Linda. Yes, I'm counting on that, and so is God.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I agree with you that something "is afoot." I wear a t-shirt that says, "Jesus Won" from the Ohio State revival which took place at the beginning of the past school year which involved some of the football players whose lives are making a difference. I pray the younger generation will continue seeking and pursuing God in all the right places.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that and to your T-shirt, Bill! Jesus has won the ultimate victory, but as His devoted followers, we are tasked to continue the work He started. I love that you all saw a revival of sorts at the beginning of the last school year. So encouraging! And don't you love that word "afoot"?
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I’m having trouble giving grace to myself. Thank you for the verse.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Sometimes, we are the last people we give grace to ourselves, but we truly must, Regine. If it's good enough for Jesus, it should be good enough for us.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Coincidentally, I read only yesterday that there's a revival amongst the young over here in the UK. I have not seen it, but hope it is true. We seem to be rather secular or non-believing over here.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I hope and pray that it's true in the UK, too, Victor. Young people are sick and tired of being misled by societal lies. They long for authenticity. And what could be more authentic than God's eternal truth?
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I have been impressed with several of the contestants on American Idol and the Voice, who have chosen Worship songs and have been highly praised for doing so. Living in the Bible Belt area, I have seen many acts of the younger generation drawing near to the Lord. I am thankful that Mylee has the opportunity to attend a private Christian school where there is a strong emphasis on serving others and having required Bible classes. "A nation that places its hope in God will not just survive, it will thrive!" I love this!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Shug, for your thoughtful words and shared observations. I'm overjoyed that Mylee can attend a Christian school, and that you're witnessing many in the younger generation desiring a closer walk with the Lord. We need strong servant leaders to rise up and carry us forward in the name of Jesus. And I'm glad you liked my sentence that you quoted here, too. So true!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Without God's grace, it's only the abyss.
ReplyDeleteAmen! Therefore, by the grace of God, go I.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
First of all, of all the ministers you see or hear about, Billy Graham is the very best to me.
ReplyDeleteYes, looking for love in all the wrong places. Wonder why they are looking for love so hard - when Jesus is right here. Hopefully they will see it sooner than later.
THANK GOD for the revival that is hitting America - I believe it is saving America for right now anyway!
Love, sandie
I agree, Sandie. Billy Graham stands head and shoulders above any preacher in our lifetime. Years of secular confusion in our culture have led to those who are looking for love in all the wrong places, horizontally, when their true love, God, is found only when we look up. Yes, let a revival truly sweep over our nation!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Praying for revival, Martha. Thank you for your encouraging words.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Diana. Let's pray!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I'd not read that quote by Rev. Graham, but I love it! I'm so encouraged by examples of our youth -- both at our little church and in the media (like Shug pointed out).
ReplyDeleteWhile there are still those who ridicule and reject, I suspect (that) like rodents, they hide in the light.
Oh, Myra, I hadn't thought of things in the terms you so aptly expressed here - rodents scurrying away from the light to dwell in darkness. What kind of life is that? I'm gratified, too, that you are seeing examples in your own church of the youth falling in love with the Lord, and that folks are not afraid, as in performing, to praise God publicly. So encouraging, isn't it? Keep praying for a revival that takes hold for good.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
You are so welcome, Christine.
ReplyDeleteGrace and blessings!
God will ultimately win in the end!! Believers are so very blessed by His grace and mercy. Thank you for this post!! xo
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, we are, Terri! God's grace and mercy never ends. So glad this post spoke to your heart.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I've also heard reports of revival occurring among the younger generations. SO encouraging! May the ripple effect spread their passion for Christ across the nation!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Nancy! It is good news of great joy for the entire nation that the younger people are seeking to know the absolute truth found only in God. I'm glad you've heard that same ripple growing.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Very positive and uplifting post. Thank you, Martha.
ReplyDeleteYou are so very welcome, Bill. I love to pass on that good news whenever and however I can.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Once again, dear sister, I absolutely love the way you exposed your heart in this post. As you pointed out, your special word for the year fits so perfectly with its companions, mercy and hope. Diane and I also share your sense of encouragement and praise regarding the growing movement among young people in our country. It feels like an awakening and like you, we rejoice in the incredible potential it has to free our beloved country from the grip of perverted people promoting policies and practices that are nothing less than demonic.
ReplyDeleteYour quotes gave strong reinforcement overall, and I especially loved that one from Rev. Rodriguez where he said, "The name of Jesus is being lifted - not with fanfare, but with authenticity." If there's anything thiis nation needs these days, it's people who are down ot earht and authentic, and not pathetic attempts to reproduce some social media "influencer." You knocked it out of the park again with this one, Martha. May God continue to bless you with the courage to display that much needed authenticity that all of us find so stimulating.
I am so humbled once again by your salient and encouraging words here today, Ron. Only God, the authentic author of our faith, by His grace, can make such a revival and awakening occur. Our country has been parched with a spiritual thirst, and these precious young people are waking up to the truth of the Living Water that Jesus spoke about so long ago to the woman at the well. I'm praying that we can uphold these seekers and point them firmly into the Way and the Life that will never fail them. I thought what Rev. Rodriguez said in the quote I included summed it up in a nutshell, as you did, too.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
This was wonderful post, it felt uplifting and touched me in a good way
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this post touched your heart, Jo-Anne, and lifted your spirits in a positive way. That is always what I hope and pray for my readers whenever I publish a blog.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
OH, Martha, this was such an encouraging post! So full of hope in the Lord. Thank you for sharing these thoughts with us. And so thankful for the legacy of Billy Graham. We who grew up watching his crusades on TV were so blessed to hear him preaching the Word of God and witnessing so many coming to the altar to be saved. Oh, to see that same revival again in our country...yes, especially to see it starting among the youth...what a joy that is to my heart. Thank you for giving me a new hope tonight as I read this. Blessings to you my dear friend.
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate your kind and encouraging words here, Pamela! I had the great joy of attending one of Rev. Graham's crusades in 1994 in Atlanta. I took my then 10-year-old son with me. Two of the musical guests were Johnny and June Carter Cash! When my son tells his friends that he actually saw Johnny Cash perform live, they don't believe him at first, but I still have the program to prove we were there. May Graham's legacy continue to live in the hearts and minds of the newer generations.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
There is hope when the young begin to rally to our Lord's call. Some years back a revival started in a local college and is still going on today. I pray for them to be strong and continue to grow in the grace of our Lord. Your post brings back memories of the revival of the 60's and seventies. \
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings
I'm so gratified, Jim, that this post renewed your hopes for revival in the younger generations. What a miracle you witnessed in a local college that is persistent and pervasive!. In the end, our Lord and our God will prevail.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Nations, as well as individual people, will thrive when hope is placed in God. We long to see more of this!!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Barbara, we are longing for that day as brothers and sisters in Christ. The only true hope we have is in God. May we pray that everyone comes to know that saving grace in Him.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Bom dia, Martha
ReplyDeleteQue postagem edificante, glória a Deus pelo avivamento entre os jovens, que o Senhor continue usando a vida de todos os seus servos, com poder. Linda frase de Billy Graham, a graça de Deus é maravilhosa, um forte abraço.
God's grace is the absolute best, Lucinalva. So glad you enjoyed this post, too!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Great insights Martha! B Blessed!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mike.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Amen to this, "God's mercy is reigning over this land, so there isn't a reason for any of us to be downcast." I love the quote and Psalm 42:11 and how you so beautifully connected them. The world is searching for real hope and it's only found in Jesus and His mercy and grace. God bless, Martha!
ReplyDeleteGod is our only true hope, Karen, now and forever, and His grace and mercies flow freely to His children. May the generations coming up behind us cling to the Lord and that true hope.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Espero que a tendência de que fala se concretize, pois é necessário sensibilizar a sgerações mais jovens sobre os problemas a enfrentar, para que haja no mundo um futuro de paz.
ReplyDeleteAbraço de amizade.
Juvenal Nunes
You are absolutely right, Juvenal. May we all pray for a revival to sweep the nations!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Mercy and grace - two words to praise and hold onto for sure!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Jean! May we ever remember to humble ourselves before our God with thankfulness for His grace and mercy.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
This touched me deeply. It’s so true without the foundation of God’s love, our souls stay restless, always searching. I’m encouraged by the reminder that revival can come quietly but powerfully, especially when it starts in the hearts of the next generation. Thank you for bringing Reverend Graham’s words into the light again. Your voice echoes with faith and clarity in a time when both are needed. Amen indeed.
ReplyDeleteI am humbled, Melody, by the beauty and affirmation of your words here. To touch someone's heart has to be the ultimate and undeserved reward that our Lord bestows. Honestly, I was searching for a quote on a different subject, but this is what God placed right smack dab in front of me. Great reminder that the best laid plans of men and women cannot upend God's intentions.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Thank you for uplifting all of us dear! Bless you aloha
ReplyDeleteOnline hustle yes, let's care for one another as Jesus instructed us and make our country a place of justice and caring for one another. A bright shining light in the world amen
DeleteOh, yes, Cloudia. We should be the shining light upon the hill to inspire others to love God and love one another always. Grace and blessings, my friend!
DeleteSuch an uplifting message.
ReplyDeleteA great reminder that grace, mercy, and hope are always connected.
Blessings, Martha!
I'm so glad that you found this message uplifting, Veronica. We all can use more encouragement in our faith journeys, don't you think?
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Thank you Martha Jane, for this post. It is so encouraging to see what the Lord is doing worldwide (yes, even here in Europe).
ReplyDeleteHe certainly is on the move, Marja, and people are waking up to His presence in so many places and ways. Praise the Lord that they are!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
That is a beautiful quote and very comforting. I had never thought about how God's mercy and grace can give us hope. I love how you write, Martha Jane.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Henny Penny, for your kind words here. It's so humbling when someone compliments my writing. So glad you stopped by!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Grace - such a wonderful gift to receive and then pass along to other! Thanks for doing this yourself, Martha.
ReplyDeleteGrace is such a wonderful gift, Lisa, and it is too good not to pass it on to others. Thanks, too, for your sweet words, my friend.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Thank you dear friend for always reminding us what is important in life. Aloha
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