Getting Smaller

"In those days the Lord began to reduce the size of Israel." The writer of 2 Kings mentions it in passing. A few chapters later he says, "Elisha died and was buried." Simple statements. Facts. Soundbites. The kingdom is getting smaller and the "uber" prophet is dead. If that sounds pretty bleak, it is because it is.

I am thinking tonight about the kingdom. Specifically in America. Is the Lord beginning to reduce the size? Soon we will read things in the newspaper like, "Billy Graham died and was buried" Great leaders die and the kingdom can be reduced. Is there an antidote? Not to death but, to leaders leaving a vacuum? Yes. New leaders.

How about the reduction of the size of the church in America. Is it inevitable? I do not want to think so, but I think the church may have to take ownership to reverse course. The Lord will reduce the size of the church as He sees its apathy, its failure to stand for moral and social justice, its timidity in loving neighbors and its lack of fruit.

All of those areas are within us to impact. Our choice. Will we have soul and be soldiers? Will we give and serve and speak the truth in love? Will we steadfastly set our minds on Christ? If so, perhaps the Lord will grow His kingdom through us. That is what I am praying tonight. I don't like the thought of the Lord beginning to reduce the size of the church.