By Francis Frangipane
Amazingly, there have been literally millions
of conversations concerning Denver quarterback Tim Tebow and the
"prophetic" statistics that accompanied his football game on January 8.
The connection between John 3:16 (Tebow's favorite verse) with his 316
passing yards and 31.6 completion average has stimulated the spiritual
awareness of multitudes in many nations. (See our Facebook post from 1/9/2012).
For
the most part, I think people are more drawn to the phenomenon than to
its deeper meaning. Regardless, I think a great many people would agree
that something (or Someone) supernatural stepped into last Sunday's game
and manipulated circumstances.
What
excites me, though, is not only that something supernatural may be
occurring on national television, but the actual message of John 3:16 is
being proclaimed over the nation. Remember, ours is a world where both
secular and religious sages are predicting 2012 to be a dangerous year.
Yet, although framed by the darkness of our times, the Holy Spirit
presented a message of hope that was charged with redemptive
possibilities! God is not bent toward wrath; He gave His Son that we
might live!
Let us exult in this message: God so loves the world.
He loves America. He loves Canada, Nigeria, Russia, Iran, Japan and
wherever you live. The message from the Lord is not "repent, wrath is at
hand," but repent, hope and redemption are still possible!
I'm
not saying we should ignore or minimize the warnings of judgment. Most
of these judgments are the consequences of our reckless abandonment of
moral standards. Judgment remains a possibility, and certainly we can
see the ice cracking beneath our nations. Collapse is very possible. But
what buoys my faith is this stunning fact: when the Spirit of God
actually manifested to this nation, He reminded us of His love. It's as
though He were saying, "It's not too late. We can still turn this
around. I gave My Son for your sins. You are already forgiven. Accept
Him and receive His forgiveness. Believe in Christ and together we can
bring redemption to your land."
Whether you are a
Democrat or Republican, black or white, or rich or poor, Christ's
message is for each of us and all of us. Indeed, from wherever we have
come - Muslim, Christian or Jew - let us each pause and consider the
great promise of the living God: that He "so loved the world, that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not
perish, but have eternal life."
Lord, thank You for
manifesting Your great promise to us. Forgive me for my sins. I ask You
to come into my life, to cleanse, restore and heal me. Bring me, my
loved ones and my nation back to You. In Jesus' name, amen.
