The world is in tumult. Yesterday I was invited to intercede for the Values Voters Summit, and was really impacted by Michele Bachmann’s speech. Rep. Bachmann noted how she had recently been strongly criticized for her warnings about radical Islamist aggression. During that time, I honestly wanted her to be wrong.

Today is a different world. As Rep. Bachmann noted, “No one here is suggesting that all Muslims are radical, but we should not be ignorant of the objective reality that there is a very radical wing of Islam that is dedicated to the destruction of America, of Israel…”

Tomorrow begins Rosh Hashanah and Yom Teruah. Two Jewish holidays on the same day. Rosh Hashanah celebrates “the Head of the Year.” Yom Teruah is “the Feast of Trumpets.”

Each year, these holidays mark what I call “the Days of Decision.” And these days seem vastly more emphasized by the Holy Spirit than in years past.

Days of Awe, Days of Decision
According to Jewish tradition, God frames His destiny for our lives each year on Rosh Hashanah. Over individuals and nations, He determines our future and records both the blessings and challenges in His Book of Life.

The 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as “the Days of Awe.” Over is period, His verdict for our lives is open to be changed. According to Jewish tradition, God’s verdict is sealed on Yom Kippur–the day of national atonement.

Therefore the Days of Awe mark a season of covenant alignment through introspection, repentance, and giving of alms. A key emphasis is placed on repenting of offenses and healing relationships. By this covenant alignment, God’s best can be secured, now and for the coming year!

Seek God NOW
Since the beginning of this year, Jolene and I have shared how God desires to establish His bridal canopy over us. We brought to remembrance Cindy Jacobs’ vision from 1997 of an “X” over the nation that was transformed into a bridal canopy. We shared prophetically how this year, the enemy would try to “X out” our nation, and how the Lord desires to preserve and protect us.

We shared how David’s Tent, which begins on Yom Kippur, is a signpost of this potential.

Friends–as we shared Thursday, we are in these days of decision. I believe we must seek God NOW–in other words, even before the major prayer initiatives begin this fall–for the preservation of our land.

Embrace or Erase
One of the most terrifying verses in Scripture is God’s message to Sardis. I encourage you to thoroughly read through Revelation 3. The Lord warns the people of Sardis to repent, so their names will not be erased from His Book of Life!

This passage gives a clear precedent on two things. First–God actually has a Book of Life, in which He records the destinies of His people. Second–our actions and choices can provoke Him to erase our names from the great potential He has decreed over our lives. In a very real way, this calling is ours either to embrace or erase!

In 2003, I had a vision of this. Holy Spirit showed me a scroll, with an amazing prophetic word very carefully penned on it. The word was for a dear friend, and the calling shared in the scroll was a very high call. But there was a continual question of covenant alignment, and embracing the boundaries that came with the call.

Tragically, in the vision I saw my friend’s name erased, and another name recorded in its place. I knew immediately that both individuals and nations could have their names “Xed out.” Called, but not chosen. And I knew the Lord could choose others to fulfill the dream of His heart that He invited His friends to embrace.

New Birth of Freedom
I will say right now, I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to me His desired verdict for our land. Lamplighter friends may remember how the Lord often speaks to us on or around September 11 each year, and that this direction sets the course of the coming year.

This year, the Lord spoke again to me the phrase, “New Birth of Freedom.” This is actually the closing statement from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: “That this Nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government, of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

At the same time, God spoke to James Goll on 9-11 how “the hunters have again been released.” In other words, those who desire to “X out” both America and Israel, as well as Americans and Jews worldwide, are again openly and aggressively pursuing their goal.

Which verdict will stand–God’s destiny or the enemy’s destruction?
Again, I believe God’s verdict for our land is a “new birth of freedom.” Wouldn’t it be something to see! In the midst of challenges, our nation rises again to her sacred calling as a beacon of liberty in the earth. Government of the people, by the people, and for the people–preserved here, and genuinely embraced in others.

And best of all, wouldn’t it be something to see multitudes birthed into God’s Kingdom as His Third Great Awakening really takes hold! This is the promise held out to us. In these days of decision, it is yours to either erase or embrace.

Prayer Points
Friends, let us soberly approach these “Days of Awe” in great humility before God’s Throne. Lets allow Holy Spirit to reveal hidden sins, and seek the refreshing and healing that only Christ’s blood can attain for us. Lets repair breaches where relationships have been broken. Lets give generously–of both our hearts and our treasures. Lets continue to divorce our idols, and realign with Christ’s covenant–both personally and nationally.

Many are called, but few are chosen. Ask the Lord to choose you in this season! Ask the Lord to choose America, Israel, and the nations and people He has placed on your heart. Embrace His call for your life–boundaries included!

We serve an unimaginably generous God–who has provided through Jesus Christ all we ever need to preserve both life and destiny.

Please continue to keep your “shields up” for our land. And continue praying for Davids Tent, this vibrant signpost of the very promise held out to us. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED INVESTMENT BEFORE CHRIST’S THRONE!

“Repent and return, so that your sins will be washed away, so that times of refreshing may come from the Presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19)