By James Wilson
It was raining throughout Central and Southern California in May. This is a praise to the Lord, but not the coming millennium. We have had abundant rains from time to time and waters literally bubbling from the ground filling dry riverbeds the past year. God’s mercy came when we needed it most; it hasn’t seriously dented the parched state of our state. Neither will this.
Reality has been demonstrated that our drought is of supernatural causation. There is simply no natural explanation for the lingering high pressure ridge over California deflecting storms naturally approaching without falling on us. There is a biblical explanation for people open-minded enough to seek answers wherever they may be found. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 claims whenever drought persists we should look to our own recurrent behavior. God then prescribes humbling ourselves, seeking His face in prayer and repentance – He speaks here to those of us who recognize His sovereignty; there is no effort to coerce the unconverted – He will literally hear, forgive, and heal. I have seen documented fruit of this process in diverse locations like Guatemala, Hawaii, and Fiji.
The criteria for crisis is the repetitive presence of covenant breaking, sexual sin, idolatry, and the shedding of innocent blood. We face a state government that increasingly disregards our constitutions – state and federal – from placing water meters on privately owned wells to expelling from university campuses Christian groups who expect to be led by professing Christians. During recent riots Oakland police were forbidden to protect life and property. So much for covenant breaking. And lest we say, “But we citizens are not the government…” let us remember who keeps voting lawless people into office.
As to the other criteria, reflect that the worldwide pornography industry is centered in Southern California to acknowledge the sexual sin piece. We need look only to our governor’s visionless strategy to raise Shasta Dam and so increase our capacity to store the water we do not have – and build tunnels through the Sacramento River Delta – to transfer water Northern California doesn’t have to a Southern California that doesn’t have it – to demonstrate our idolatry of our own ingenuity. A California leading the nation in butchering Native Americans over two centuries while outstripping other states in elective abortions and suicides tops out in shedding innocent blood. Now our leaders want to legalize assisted suicide and compel those who would save unborn lives through pregnancy care centers to refer their clients for abortion services. We-the-people put these butchers in office; we are responsible.
I deliberately paint the picture in stark terms for the sake of the good news which lightens it. The Lord moved dramatically when Ancient Israel exercised 2 Chronicles. The United States exists today because George Washington’s army was spared destruction on Long Island when the Lord hid it from the attacking British through a weather miracle after it was surrounded; this followed prayer and fasting. The Battle of Gettysburg – turning point of the Civil War – followed by weeks the 1863 Lincoln proclaimed Day of Fasting and Prayer. We in California have the same opportunity.
The California Day of Repentance is set for Wednesday, September 9, California’s Admission Day. Unlike the half dozen or so other states who have held such a day with the support of their state governors, ours will be a totally grassroots effort. This makes it that much better for the state as we invite leaders in the political, cultural, scientific, business, and Body-of-Christ spheres to bless the day sponsored by National Day of Repentance, California Governor’s Prayer Team, and PrayNorthState. As in other events sharing this sponsorship, no effort is made to get ministries and communities to conform to some master plan of repentance. More information can be had at www.dayofrepentance1.org in terms of what some are planning, but everyone is free to observe the day as they feel led.
What matters is Californians Christians recognizing this drought comes not for destruction, but to get our attention. God has promised – and birthed – a Great Awakening that will resurrect California on many levels – if we receive it. Our ticket to participation is to repent and re-focus on Him.
This is a win-win for those of us who know Christ. If He is as good as I know Him to be; California Christians (and any who join us) get on the road to recovering our identity in Christ and resurrecting our state. He is that good.
Of course there is an alternative for those who think repentance a waste of time. They can raise the top of Shasta Dam to better store all that water we don’t have.
James A. Wilson is the author of Living As Ambassadors of Relationships and The Holy Spirit and the End Times – available at local bookstores or by e-mailing him at
praynorthstate@charter.net
