A Word for the Nation
This is a short excerpt from Ruth's talk at "Transformations: The Glory Spreads" conference at Birmingham in July. I felt it was such an important word, that I've reproduced a short part of it here. The full message is available from The Resource Centre. But more than that, please take the message to heart.
In Acts 17:26, we read about the nations of the world and their pre-appointed boundaries. God has a sovereign plan over the nations of the world and he asks [the church] to be the salt and light in the different nations. It's time for the church to have a vision as it has never had before.
There is something going on in the UK. The Lord showed me a global map and then England. It's such a small nation, yet its influence is enormous. Thereis a call upon this nation and that is a great call. And sometimes it is somebody from the outside who sees it because you wouldn't dare to see it.
The story has not ended as far as the Commonwealth nations are concerned. When you first went out as the British Empire, part of that story was to bring the gospel to those nations.
No. 1: You need to revive that vision.
No. 2: You need to repent for not fulfilling the vision God gave you back then.
No. 3: You need to make restoration by finishing the job God gave you to do.
God gave this nation a vision for other parts of the world and that went forth to some extent. But it has never been completed the way God wants it to be: to see the gospel really take hold of those other nations. There are promises and dreams that have never been fulfilled but there is no groaning, no understanding, no crying out to God.
The reason the warfare is so strong here is because God wants to use you in the nations of the world, starting with the Commonwealth nations. God has called you to touch the nations of the world. My prayer is that God will open your eyes to see the destiny of your nation. Don't hold on to the past. Start seeking the Lord. Don't give up!
Ruth Ruibal