On the morning of April 12, 2026, I was drawn to re-read the books of Zephaniah and Joel. They are two of the books of the Bible that I’ve used in previous writings and articles over the years as lessons to glean from regarding Awakening, In particular the all three chapters of Zephaniah really provoked me in some deep thought, especially regarding Revival and Transformation. Quite a few of the scriptures stood out to me, but Zephaniah 2:1-3 on the Call to Repentance reminded me of what a critical time we are as the Church…as a Nation. Here is a few thoughts and a link to a previous article – Revival by Choice or by Circumstance….By Heart Awakening or By Rude Awakening?
“Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together., O undesirable nation (or shameless nation), Before the decree is issued Before the day passes like chaff, Before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you! Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.” (Zephaniah 2:1-3)
A Lasting, Inward Change:
During the reign of Josiah, King of Judah, what became known as the Reform of Josiah took place (around 622 B.C.). During Judah’s history, reforms came from time to time⎯politically, religiously, and spiritually. The prophetic ministries of Zephaniah and Jeremiah may have been factors in the reforms that took place during King Josiah’s reign. Yet Zephaniah reminds us that a revival that produces outward change without fully removing the heart’s inward corruption will not be lasting. Though the people of Judah outwardly turned to God, their hearts were not changed.
For any change to be lasting and meaningful, it must come from an inward change. The nation and the Church need a revival of character. We need leaders who love the people they are called to serve more than they love being served. An external change made only for show will not help the Church or the nation, but an internal change that carries over to the Church’s external dealings will positively impact America for generations. We are in need of an awakening in the Church if we are to see a revival in our nation. We must be careful to guard against superficial change. Reform must be internal in order for it to bring lasting external transformation.
In order to see lasting change in our nation, we must first be intimately aware of the state of the Church and its people. A.W. Tozer was right when he observed in “The Gift of Prophetic Insight” that “what God says to the Church at any given time period depends altogether upon her moral and spiritual condition, and upon the spiritual need of the hour.” For national reform that will make a lasting impact spiritually and politically, we as Christians must return to our foundations and our first love, and become lovers of truth.
Years ago while in Washington D.C. for the Presidential Prayer Breakfast, I was asked by Dr. Bill Bright to be part of a taping with Max Lucado and Chuck Colson on the Soul of America. When asked my thoughts, I simply stated that we all would agree that there is a battle for the soul of America and of our generation. But, I also believe that the heart of any city, community or nation should be the Church. If the heart is weak or sick, then how can we bring healing to the soul of the city, community or nation? I believe it’s crucial that the Church return to its first love if we are to bring healing.
Book of Joel – a Response for A Nation in Crisis:
The book of Joel consists of only 3 chapters, yet it was written as a wake-up call to a nation in crisis. Joel pleaded for his nation to gather before God in a great sacred assembly. Their time of great need called for a corporate response, a response of corporate prayer, repentance, and renewed consecration before God.
They had to recognize that they could not save themselves; it would take God’s intervention. We are in such a state of crisis. The epic crises facing our nation and threatening our future demands an epic response.
It’s not just a good idea to pray, but is a clarion trumpet call for the Church to cross our denominational and racial and political barriers to meet at the Cross of Christ together on behalf of our nation. Our hope is not in the institutions of men, personal preferences, a man or woman, or even political parties, but our hope is in The Hope of Glory.
Today we are living in very challenging, critical and volatile times. Every day the news is filled with more human tragedy or disaster. Crises are escalating at an unprecedented rate. As the Body of Christ, we must respond. We cannot afford to hit our snooze buttons any longer while ignoring the sounding warnings and alarms around us. We must RESPOND!
It is a posture. It’s about the Church humbling herself and crying out before God. Our private posture affects our public influence. Our private choices have public consequences. There is a battle for the soul of our nation. I believe the heart of the nation should be the Church. We, the Church, need a corporate heart awakening if we are to see the soul of our nation healed…if we are going to see another great awakening and revival.
Take time to read the three chapters of Zephaniah, and also the three chapters of Joel. Let these prophetic books minister to you.
How will we respond? Humility, Repentance and Consecration before God should be our posture.
Here is a link to an article I wrote a few years ago on Revival by Choice or by Circumstance…by Heart Awakening or by Rude Awakening.
https://www.dougstringer.com/2021/03/08/1534/
BY DOUG STRINGER
