We've Entered the Valley of Decision

Joel 3:14  -  Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.  NKJV

We've just completed the 5th One Nation Under God Prayer and Worship Rally in Washington State hosted by Light of the World Prayer Center in Bellingham.  We have two left. 

The key scripture that launched this strategy was 2 Chronicles 20:20-22.  This was a serious time as Israel was entering into battle.  The prophet Jahaziel had declared that the battle belonged to God and that they just needed to position themselves to stand and see the salvation of God.  King Jehoshaphat declared  that if we believe God's prophets we would prosper therefore they stationed singers to praise and worship the Lord.  Then, the Lord set ambushes that routed the enemy. 

The assistant director Jason prayed last night for revival and used Joel 2 to call us to fasting, prayer and repentance ending with a great outpouring in verses 28-32.  I marveled at what I saw as I considered the context of the scripture.

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The Valley of Jehoshaphat is the Valley of Decision
Joel 3:1-2 - "For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem,  2 I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land. NKJV

Joel 3:14 - Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.  NKJV

We have three more days before the primary in Washington State.  We have a record low turn out at this point.  As I understand it, only 12% of the ballots have been turned in.  Do you know what that means?  A very small group can determine who will end up in the general election.  Why is this important?

A Key Principle and Pattern Found in God's Word
All through 1st and 2nd Kings you'll find this phrase regarding several kings beginning with  1 Kings 14:16, "And He will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who sinned and who made Israel sin." NKJV  The decisions that kings, rulers and governors make can affect the people and the land whom they are responsible for. 

Many quote 2 Chronicles 7:14; "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." NKJV  We've had a lot of prayer going on, how come we've not see any real changes?  Why are things getting worse?   It's because most don't recognize who penned this quote.  It was King Solomon.  It takes more than just people praying and repenting.  It requires the leaders of a city, state or nation to do so as well. 

For example God sent Jonah to Nineveh to pronounce judgement.  In Jonah 3:5 the people began to fast and pray and in verse 6 the king also joined in the fasting and prayer and made a proclamation that all should join him.  Then we find:

Jonah 3:10 - "Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it."  NKJV

It is really important who we have serving as mayors, senators, representatives and governor.  They can cause blessing or cursing to come upon our land by the laws and policies they enact.  Right now we suffer the consequences (Lev. 18 & Lev. 20) for several kinds of sexual sin, violating the institution of marriage and shedding innocent blood of unborn children.  Moral issues are more important than other issues because these are "root issues" which have dire consequences for violation.  If unchecked a people or a nation will eventually lose their land as it spews them out.

Your Choice is Recorded in Heaven
Romans 14:12, Hebrews 4:13, and 1 Peter 4:5 all declare that each person will give an account for their actions before God who is ready to judge the living and the dead.  Think about it, God has counted every single hair on your head (Lk. 12:7).  He even has a book of Remembrance (Mal. 3:16).  We will all give an account for our actions and choices.

What would you like your record to state when you give an account before our living Lord?

• I was to busy and did not vote.
• I decided to wait for the general election to vote.
  
• I see a candidate running for office who stands for life, marriage, integrity.... but I don't think he can win so I voted for the candidate the party elites groomed for us even though that candidate supports abortion. 
  
• These moral issues like marriage and life cause division and I think we need to compromise so I voted for.....
• I decided to vote for a candidate that represented a platform that honored God's word and did not compromise my convictions as it pertains to life and marriage. 
  

I pray that you make a decision that honors the Lord as it will bless you, our state and our nation.