Times of Refreshing for a Thirsty Land
More than anything, America needs a profound spiritual awakening to sweep across the land. In these uncertain times, I feel a clarion call in the spirit that we must get close to God. He has not given up on us—for when we draw near Him, He draws near us.
How does revival begin? First and foremost it should start in our homes, then in our churches, and permeate the entire society.
Acts 3:19 gives this important key:
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (NKJV)
Repentance brings refreshment. In His presence we find hope, strength and wisdom for every situation.
God assures us in Psalm 32:8,
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
To be guided by His eye, we must be close enough to see His face. The next verse cautions: Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.
I was raised on a farm with horses. If a 10-year-old boy tries to do something good for an 800-pound horse—yet it resists by pulling back on its haunches with all its might—that animal won’t be moved. We don’t want to be like stubborn mules who will not come near our loving Master. God can do wonderful things if we will just cooperate.
He makes this great promise in Leviticus 26:40-42:
If they confess their iniquity … in which they were unfaithful to Me, and that they also have walked contrary to Me, and that I also have walked contrary to them and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt—then I will remember My covenant … I will remember the land.
Think of the covenants that have been made over America—how the English settlers raised a cross and dedicated this land to God at Cape Henry in 1607; and how the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact at Plymouth, praying they would be a city on a hill and a shining example of what happens when people willingly follow God’s principles. Think of the prayers that were offered when our Constitution was formed, and of the great awakenings and revivals over the centuries.
When we repent, God remembers the covenants—and the land.
And here is the good news:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us … (1 John 1:9)
Our sin was taken care of 2,000 years ago on the cross. The Lord is always ready to forgive—so we can walk in freedom and enjoy “times of refreshing.” God bless you.
~
Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
About The Author
GORDON ROBERTSON is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Christian Broadcasting Network, as well as a member of CBN’s Board of Directors. He is also Chancellor of Regent University and the Chairman of the Board of Operation Blessing, CBN’s humanitarian organization.
The son of Pat and Dede Robertson, Gordon graduated from Yale University in 1980 and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Washington and Lee University in 1984. He then practiced law in Norfolk, Virginia, for 10 years.
In 1994, Gordon had a profound encounter with the Lord and moved to the Philippines, where he established CBN Asia. The following year, he founded the Asian Center for Missions (ACM), dedicated to training and sending Asian missionaries throughout the world. ACM is now one of the largest missionary agencies in the Philippines with more than 2,000 graduates trained in cross-cultural missions.
In 1996, Gordon created CBN Asia’s flagship television show, The 700 Club Asia, which is now one of the longest-running Christian television shows in the Philippines and is distributed by satellite around the world. Also in 1996, CBN Asia started a humanitarian organization, Operation Blessing Philippines, which has been recognized as “NGO of the Year” by the Philippine government.
Over the next three years, Gordon launched CBN centers in Indonesia, India, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Thailand. He moved back to the United States in 1999 to serve at CBN’s headquarters in Virginia Beach.
As Executive Producer of The 700 Club, Gordon oversees all aspects of programming for the ministry. He hosts CBN’s original flagship program, The 700 Club; as well as 700 Club Interactive, a daily show airing on Freeform and online; and Miracle Living Today.
Gordon has produced a number of documentaries and features as Executive Producer of CBN Films, including:
- Oracles of God: The Story of the New Testament
- Oracles of God: The Story of the Old Testament
- Written in Stone four-part series: House of David, Kings and Prophets, Secrets of the Temple, and Jesus of Nazareth
- The Asbury Awakening
- I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland
- Treasures of the Second Temple
- Christmas: The Story Behind the Traditions
- To Life: How Israeli Volunteers Are Changing the World
- In Our Hands: The Battle for Jerusalem
- The Hope: The Rebirth of Israel
- Whose Land Is It? Jewish and Arab Claims to Israel
- Made in Israel
- Temple of Heaven, filmed in China
Gordon is also Executive Producer of CBN Animation’s Superbook, the reimagined animation series. Its guiding mission is to bring the stories of the Bible to the children of the world in their own languages. With over 65 episodes completed, Superbook has been broadcast to millions of viewers in dozens of languages throughout the world. Other Superbook-themed videos are also being produced and released.
Gordon and his wife, Katharyn, reside in Virginia and have three grown children.
