A New Awakening?

At the end of World War Two (1945) the world was devastated, millions dead, economies wrecked, cities destroyed, countless families homeless, children orphaned, much of Europe and Asia facing famine, an entire "people group" systematically decimated. As we approach the 75th anniversary of that terrible and gruesome conflict, we are facing another world-wide conflict. A different enemy, this time, one invisible to most of us. 

As the survivors of those horrifying 5 years fade from the scene, as the annual memorial services see fewer and fewer combatants march in remembrance of their fallen comrades, for those of us, the  generations born since 1945, WW2 is little more than distant history. My Father, who served in the Royal New Zealand Navy for the duration, passed on more than 20 years ago, leaving a few faded photos, even fewer letters to my Mother, sharing his experiences, 6 medals, and a family struggling to remember the stories he told us.  

The soldiers, sailors, aircrew, civilian workers involved in war production, the women pressed into support roles, Land Armies on the farm, brave women in the Auxiliary Air-forces, delivering unarmed combat aircraft to battle-hardened squadrons, in-fact just about everyone returned home chastened by the horrors of war and death. Many, if not most turned to faith, seeking answers for the meaning  of it all. 

Where was God in all that had happened? By the late 1940's surveys conducted in several countries showed that almost 70 percent of the population were a member of a house of worship.In 1954 the American Congress added the words "under God" to the pledge of Allegiance

Around this time Billy  Graham, and others began the great evangelistic crusades, leading millions into a living faith with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Some would later refer to this time as the  Forth Great Awakening

Now the mainstream media and celebrities are beginning to ask the question... "is God trying to get our attention?   No less a celebrity than  Kourtney Kardashian  recently took to Instagram to share that she thought COVID-19 was unleashed by God  to punish evil in the world. She shared a Bible passage, and wrote “pay attention children”. The verse she quoted was this.. “Whenever I hold back the rain or send locusts to eat up the crops or send an epidemic on my people, if they pray to me and repent and turn away from the evil they have been doing, then I will hear them in heaven, forgive their sins, and make their land prosperous again.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-15 GNT. 

Locusts swarm near Archers Post, north of Nairobi Jan 2020

It may have escaped your attention with all that is going on, but much of  East Africa is currently in the throes of a swarm of locusts,  a swarm described as being of "Biblical" proportions. 

Justin Bieber Recently invited his 130 million Instagram followers to an online church service, with the specific invite ‘God… We Trust You In These Times’

As the world stands largely defenseless against an unseen enemy, we have once-again been forcibly reminded of our impotency. We can either react with fear and trepidation, or fall to our knees,seek His face, and turn form our wickedness. 

 

 From God's Word. 

When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 NKJV