Mercy Instead of Judgement

I live in California. It was never a life long dream of mine to live here, but here I am. California is an interesting state to live in and it has quite the reputation in Christian circles. It seems like everything bad either originates or resides in California. We have San Francisco, Hollywood, same sex marriage, hippies, drugs and all sorts of things that freak people out. We also have lots of natural disasters; fires, earthquakes, and mudslides. It could be just me, but it seems like every time something bad happens I hear we are being judged and paid for our wicked ways among religious circles. Or if some new bad thing comes out that we did then we will be judged for our wicked ways. I admit that once upon a time I was among the ranks of those who would say those things or think those things, but living here has helped change my mind. I’m not saying that there is no judgment from God, all I know is that as a Christian who is in the area, it is no fun to hear those things declared or prophesied over your region; especially since I am dedicated to bringing the kingdom of heaven here to my city and my state. I like to focus on what God’s heart is. I look at how he let Abraham, his friend, try to talk him out of destroying Sodom. Or how he sent Jonah to Nineveh because of his concern, not just for the people there, but also the animals.

That is the old testament. How about in Luke 9 when his disciples wanted to call fire down on a town for dissing Jesus. He said, “Don’t you know what spirit you are of when you ask for that?” Here is what I would like to see. Instead of people proclaiming judgment over my state, I’d like to see somebody’s heart break for us and have them cry out for mercy instead of judgment. I saw something this weekend on GOD TV that was quite amazing. It was a group of leaders and people crying out for mercy and for revival in the streets of San Francisco. Here is an excerpt of the program:

“Father, we join together as one body with those who pour out their lives standing in the gap for California. We ask in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that your HOLY FIRE your HOLY CONSUMING FIRE and the GLORY of your presence is loosed across the city of San Francisco. Oh Father, WE CRY OUT TO YOU for the release of your HOLY FIRE upon local government, the Supreme court and the legal system, schools, prisons, businesses, bars, clubs upon the streets of San Francisco. RELEASE YOUR GLORY, O Lord – RELEASE YOUR GLORY, YOUR POWER, YOUR FIRE that San Francisco may KNOW THE OVERSHADOWING of Your fire and Your presence, of Your glory, that thousands upon thousands may fall to their knees under conviction and in repentance that MERCY MAY RULE OVER JUDGEMENT in this hour.”

For the full prayer click this link:
http://us.god.tv/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=1000035894

You can also view the recording on demand at God TV as well. It is called the San Francisco Solemn Assembly. I highly recommend it. It happened on 8-8-08. 8 is often the number associated with change in the bible. It is my hope that this event will ignite an attitude of change across the world FOR California as well as IN California.

Peace,
Jon