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.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.