40 DAYS OF PRAYER (2021)

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

Day 35 – Usher in Revival in a Flash of Light

Psalm 67:1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
Psalm 67:2 That your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
Psalm 67:3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

The first verse of Psalm 67 is a rather familiar verse for many brothers and sisters. Not only have many memorized the verse, many have used it in hymns, as well as using it as the benediction at the end of services. The first verse says, “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah.” The word “Selah” means “Rest,” in other words, the psalm is not finished, this is calling for a pause, to reflect upon what is said in this psalm. Then verse two continues to say, “That your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.” Notice how verse two begins with “So that,” referring to the “Purpose.” Wow! Not only does God bless us with spiritual life, He also commissions us with the kingdom mission. No wonder some people say, “Life without mission is no life at all!”

Two thousand years ago, Lord Jesus was born in this world, fulfilling the words of Prophet Isaiah, “The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16) It is as a flash of light. Last year EFC celebrated its 50th anniversary. Praise God, we received much grace from God! Now that COVID-19 vaccines have been developed, it is as if we were going through a long tunnel, and we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, this is also grace of God. While we are grateful, this is also an opportunity to put it into action, just like the theme determined by the General Assembly – The Present Opportunities.

During the past fifty years, we experienced the revival of Chinese churches in North America. Praise God, now we are seeing the academic ministry in Europe being revived. If we are able to consolidate what we have received in the last fifty years, whether it being experiences in church planting or discipleship training, and bring our experiences to Europe through short-term or long-term mission, not only can we experience God’s work and His glory, we can also start a movement of church planting of Chinese churches worldwide. Moreover, we can get involved with cross-cultural missions with the local second generations.

Today, God has already raised up Chinese churches in North America, using us to bless Chinese diaspora across the world. This is a great opportunity to not only allow Chinese churches worldwide to experience revival, it can also kickstart a great revival of all nations, all people. Are you ready for it?

On this Easter, as we remember the suffering and the death of our Lord Jesus on the cross, and to praise the Lord for His resurrection and for blessing us with the victorious new life, what is our realistic action in responding to the grace that we have received?

May the prayer of Psalm 67 verse three becomes the prayer of every EFC church: “Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!” Amen!

Rev. James Hwang
Logos Evangelical Seminary