America at the Threshold of Destiny - Softcover

The Bible says that without a vision, people perish (Prov 29:18). We were being seduced by a spirit of hopelessness, which was descending and spreading upon God's people like a thick, dark mist.

The Holy Spirit reminded me of Israel, encamped on the plains of Moab. The Hebrews were about to enter the Promised Land after spending nearly forty years in the wilderness. God had done a tremendous work transforming these former slaves into a mighty army. To counter the advancing Hebrews, Balak, a Moabite king, hired the soothsayer Balaam to curse Israel. However, each time Balaam opened his mouth to utter his curse, God gave him blessings to speak instead. In fact, some of the most encouraging words in the Bible were spoken by a man who was actually trying to curse God's people!

There was nothing the powers of darkness could do to stop the people whom God had blessed. Then Balaam had an idea. He convinced Balak that, if Israel could be tempted to sin, God Himself would judge them. So Balaam counseled that the Midianite and Moabite women should seduce the Israelite men. Balaam's plan worked and the Lord sent a terrible plague into Israel which killed 24,000 men (Num 25; 31:16).

As Christians, we are not as advanced toward our goals as the Israelites were toward theirs - we are not yet encamped on the plains of a national awakening - but the principle is the same: If we can be seduced to turn from redemptive intercessory prayer, which has brought significant changes to the body of Christ and blessing to America, and we return to our old judgmental, self-righteous ways, then God will be forced to judge us as harshly as we have been judging others.

So, at the onset, my goal has been to defend the mercy path upon which the Lord has been leading the church these past years. Yet, as I have sought the Lord, I felt the burning witness of God's Holy Spirit saying that there are many aspects of this nation that are still precious to God. I beheld that the prayer movement in the nation has had a very positive effect in many areas of American society. Because of prayer, America is actually moving again toward its destiny and away from judgment.

Because we have focused so intensely on removing the negative traits in this nation, we have become more vulnerable to noticing the "half empty" glass of America's righteousness. I seek to emphasize that the glass is "half full" and increasing. God has shed many graces on our land and I will bring to remembrance a few.

I know many are looking for a "crystal ball" to tell them the future: What about Y2K? What will happen with the economy? Will there be war? On and on the list unfolds. It is my contention that God will not give us a "crystal ball"; He does not want us wondering about the future. He bids us to create it through the knowledge of His Word and the power of intercession. Did not Jesus Himself teach us to pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven"? Christ calls us to stop wondering and start believing. We can have the kingdom of heaven in America, healing and restoring our cities, if we will overcome the spirit of hopelessness and unbelief.

Revival in a country starts with the praying church. It doesn't take many. The one hundred and twenty in the upper room were but a handful. Yet, on Pentecost they met the requirements of God: They were humble, had vision, and were united, praising God and praying for power when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them. The world has never been the same since.

The power of even one Christlike intercessor can delay God's wrath until the time comes when He pours out His mercy. As long as you don't give up on America, I believe God will not abandon it, either. The prayer of a Christlike intercessor is the most powerful force in the universe.