Who will arise?

Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise, says the Lord; I will set him in the safety for which he longs. -Psalms 12:5

Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted...The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan, break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, seek out his wickedness until You find none. -Psalms 10:14-15

I truly believe the hope of the world is Jesus. The challenge for the church and for us as Christians is to LIVE in such a way that the world can once again believe in a Jesus they can't see. How we live as a community inhabited, filled and haunted by God is critical in this hour. The beauty of a church living together, serving one another, loving the unlovable, spreading goodness, grace and love is part of bringing about the salvation of the Lord. The gospel isn't only something we preach, it is something we live. It is not just truth...it is is a way. A path. The gospel challenges us to live differently in this world. Not simply by not doing naughty things, but by living in a way that reveals another kingdom. Our way of life both personally and corporately should reveal Jesus. He can be seen in a group of people. He needs to be seen again.

For this to happen, it will require a cost to be paid.

For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. -Philippians 1:29

The truth consists not in knowing the truth intellectually but in being the truth... Knowing the truth is something which follows as a matter of course from being the truth, and not conversely. And it is precisely for this reason it becomes untruth when knowing the truth is separated from being the truth, or when knowing the truth is treated as one and the same thing as being the truth, since the true relation is the converse of this: to be the truth is one and the same thing as knowing the truth."-Soren Kierkegaard

Suffering is a part of birth. It is the path towards life. It looks like death but it really is the only way that life is born. God is looking for those who are willing to be used in birthing the works of the Spirit. Those who are willing to carry about in their body the sufferings of Jesus. Those who will endure the pain of birth so that others may live. To travail in the throes of life, wrestle with the terrors of new life. Bleed on the bed of new creation. Mothers and fathers in the spirit, who will submit to the process of God, the cross of Christ, in order to see another generation of disciples grow up in the Lord.

King David prayed for God to arise, to not forget, to listen again and rise up and work for justice...I think the same call is going out to us.

Can't we hear the groaning of the afflicted?

Who will arise?