The money system and coinage that we use in America has printed on it "In God We Trust," and I think that God wants to find out whether that is true or if we are a bunch of hypocrites. America either needs to turn back to God and His principles or take it off our coins.
Forty-plus years ago we had a visitation from the Lord called the charismatic movement, and it was a great time for many as they received a fresh breath of God in their lives and experienced God in a way they never had before. I personally had never experienced Jehovah-Jirah. I had never known about the 5-fold ministry gifts in Ephesians 4:11. This move of God was an empowering movement and helped us recognize our authority and our role in the earth. We learned that there was a King and a kingdom and that our authority flowed out of this.
A friend of mine who is a one-star general was trying to explain to a three-star general his concern about an upcoming assignment. The three-star general looked at him and said: "This is what you were trained for, and you are well able to complete this assignment. Now stand up and deliver."
We are in desperate need of strong, decisive leadership that will react at the right time, preventing crises, not just reacting to them. We also desperately need "Josephs" and "Daniels"--prophetically-gifted people who will give wisdom and understanding to our civil leaders. Two things stand out to me in Mordecai's warning to Esther. First, we are not exempt from this situation as Mordecai reminded Esther. Second, if we the church do not stand and deliver at this time, help for America will come from another place, which we certainly do not want. The last forty years were years of training and preparation for the current times that we are experiencing.
God created his people with the ability to solve problems. A problem is an opportunity provided by God to exercise one's divine ability of gifting.
I always think of the example of Joseph, who was in an environment filled with worldly knowledge that had no Godly wisdom. Joseph had an opportunity to reveal God's gift on the inside of him by interpreting Pharaoh's dream and providing a solution, as they were about to face a famine period. This is our time also as we can see economic disaster ahead of us as a nation. We can just accept things as they are, or we can get involved in the solution and live above this economy. God has a plan for His people, but the answers are in God and our dependency on Him and not in our government.
God is looking to elevate His people in times like these. Joseph received his promotion as prime minister of Egypt during the time of famine. It is always during a famine season that the real potential of an individual has an opportunity to be exercised. Joseph stayed humble in attitude, and as a result God had an opportunity to exalt Joseph's position. By relying on God for the solution, Joseph ensured that his input remained pure and acceptable due to his humble attitude.
God will give us solutions. Remember, they are not just for us alone. They are always for others. As the lives of Joseph and Esther demonstrate, there is great risk involved in both remaining silent and in stepping out, but without risk you are never heard of or remembered.
Gene Strite is CEO of L&S Stone and a pioneer founder of World Harvest Outreach. Visit his website at www.whoc.org/
