Wednesday, September 8, 2010

God's protection on the Anniversary of 9/11?

Here in Gainesville, Florida we are faced with a dilemma. A local pastor has generated news and anger from all over the world by declaring a "Burn a Quran Day"on the anniversary of 9/11 this coming Saturday. He has received death threats, and our city has received terror threats, not to mention the threats of retaliation from Muslims all over the world. The University of Florida is having a football game that day and many in our city are concerned about the risk of attending that game. My daughter works at a restaurant within minutes of the stadium and is required to work that day or lose her job. I have been concerned about her safety and on this Sept. 8 morning as I sought the Lord about it, I believe He gave me a verse to confirm that she will be safe, as will those attending the game. I am writing this in openness and humility because it is what I believe to be a prophetic word and I may be wrong. Although I have been concerned, I do sense a peace when I normally tend to panic and take the "fear" route. I did encourage her to pray and be sure of her decision to go to work that day. The verse I believe God directed me to is from Jonah 4:11. This is the story of the prophet Jonah whom God had asked to go to a wicked city called Nineveh and preach repentance to them with mercy and grace. Jonah did not want to go and deliver that message because Jonah believed that God should judge them. But God made it clear to him that He is merciful and gracious and that they must be given a chance to turn to Him. (You can read the story for yourself.) In this verse God said, "...should I not spare Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons not yet old enough to know their right hand from their left...". I believe God has spoken to me that He will spare us from destruction, and that it is because of His mercy. I truly believe that God has a plan for Gainesville, and it is not to be blown off the map. It is for salvation. The people of Nineveh heard the word of grace and mercy, they repented, and came to God (Jonah 3). We Christians have the commission to preach repentance, but we must also realize how much God loves the world and desires that none should perish but that all would come to know Him (John 3:16). I am praying for God's mercy to flood this city and that the people would hear the Gospel, preached in love. I pray for an awakening to the Truth in Gainesville. I pray for His people to be faithful and take up the Great Commission, preaching repentance to those that Jesus died for and love them into His kingdom!