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Awake, Why Sleepest Thou, O Lord?

"The church sees her case bad, her enemies many and mighty, her friends few and feeble, and therefore she depends purely upon the strength of God's arm for her relief. 'Awake, as in ancient days,' that is, 'do for us now as Thou didst for our fathers formerly, repeat the wonders they told us of.' " - Matthew Henry


If there ever was a time when we needed God to work, it is now. Oh, how we need the Power of God to be manifested in the Church. Oh! How we need the "Arm of the Lord" to "awake" on the behalf of our nations.

At times, had it almost seemed as though God were asleep in regard to your need?

Psalm 121:4 - The Scriptures attest to the fact that "He that keepeth Israel" neither slumbers nor sleeps. However, in all honesty, there are times when it almost seems as though He has forgotten us or fallen asleep on our behalf.

Repeatedly, throughout the Scriptures, we find the earnest pleas of an intercessor, desperately crying out to God to "arise," "lift up Thyself," "awake for me," "stir up Thyself," "awake to my judgment," "stir up Thy strength, and come and save us," as well as "awake, awake, put on strength."

Let's examine these particular Scriptures and glean their relevant message for us in this day and hour in which we live.

Psalm 7:6 - "Arise, O LORD, in Thine anger, lift up Thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that Thou hast commanded."

Here is a cry for God to arise in judgment and justice against the intolerant persecution and "rage" of David's persecutors. He petitions God to "lift up" Himself as though He were asleep or inactive. He pleads for the God of Justice to "awake" on his behalf to the judgment that is appointed him or ordered by His Holy Law.

Are you feeling the "rage" of your enemies today? Do you need God to "arise" on your behalf? Has the enemy of your soul badgered you with the thoughts that seem to imply that even the Lord is asleep and insensible to your circumstances or the dangers that beset you?

Cry out as David did. The Lord Jesus, as the God of Justice, will hear your desperate pleas. He will "arise" in His righteous anger and "awake...to the judgment" that is yours according to His Word.

Psalm 35:23 - "Stir up Thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord."

Once again, David petitions the Lord to arouse Himself as if from sleep for the sole purpose of rendering him justice and "judgment." His enemies were falsely accusing and plotting against him. God was a witness to it all. Therefore, David appealed to His knowledge and justice.

Are you being falsely accused? Are others secretly plotting against you? Cry out to God to "stir up" Himself and "to awake" to your "judgment" and "cause." He will act on your behalf if you do.

Psalm 44:23 - "Awake, why sleepest Thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever."

Because God did not immediately interpose on the behalf of the children of Israel, the Psalmist was tempted to believe that He was asleep or disregardful of their sufferings and woes. Hence, he cried out in a solemn and earnest appeal - "...why sleepest Thou, O Lord?" With language that is figurative in nature, he implored - "Awake...O Lord...arise..." In other words, come speedily and mightily to save, redeem, and deliver us.

Because God has not instantly intervened on your behalf, have you been tempted to believe that He has fallen asleep or has become very insensitive to your sufferings and troubles? Has the devil told you that even your Creator and Redeemer does not care about you? The devil is a Liar!!!

Begin to call upon the name of the Lord in earnest prayer to "Awake" and "arise." He will show Himself strong on your behalf. Believe and receive it.

Psalm 78:65 - "Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine."

The Lord is pictured here as a mighty warrior that is aroused from sleep to inflict vengeance on His enemies.

It may have seemed that God was merely neglectful of your great need. It may have seemed as though He was asleep or totally oblivious to what was happening all around you.

But, be encouraged, O Saint of God! For, at the right time and the opportune moment, He will awake "as one out of sleep" and crush the enemy that is tormenting and oppressing you and your family at this time.

Timing is a very important issue with God!
Hence, wait for Him! He will not tarry for long!
This may be your Day for a Miracle! Believe for it!
The Lord is a warrior - strong and mighty in battle!
Exodus 14:12 instructs us with these words - "...Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show to you to day...".

Psalm 80:2 - "Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up Thy strength, and come and save us."

Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh were the names of three children who were considered as having the same Mother or Grandmother - Rachel. They were also three of the twelve tribes of Israel. Oftentimes, they are mentioned together to represent the whole of Israel.

In this particular Psalm, Asaph petitions the Lord to give ear to their miseries and cries.
"Stir up Thy strength, and come and save us."
In other words, exert Your strength on our behalf like never before. Be a present and awesome help to us now in our time of need.

Isn't this what we all need to pray at this time in our lives?
Isn't this the kind of cry that God needs to hear coming from our churches?
Isn't this the perfect prayer for our nations at this time of crisis?

"Stir up Thyself, and come and save us."
Like never before, O Jesus, manifest Your Power and Might before all so that the entire world may know that You and You alone are Lord and God!

Isaiah 51:9 - "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art Thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?"

There is no doubt about it - God surely did reveal the might of His "arm" when He "cut Rahab" and "wounded the dragon."

What does this all mean?

"Rahab" is another name for Egypt. The "dragon" represented the crocodile which was an emblem for Egypt since the Nile River - its greatest River - abounded with these creatures.

The "arm of the Lord" "cut Rahab." It cut her in pieces using ten horrible plagues and sorely "wounded" her whereby she was greatly weakened and enfeebled as a nation.

When the Prophet Isaiah cried out to the Almighty to once again "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord, " he was not implying that God had lost any power that needed to be regained. It was simply a petition for Him to once again appear and act for the deliverance of His people and the triumphing over their enemies.

Who or What is this "arm of the Lord"? It is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ! Bless His Holy Name!

Since the "arm" is the instrument by which anyone executes a task, then Jesus, being the "arm of the Lord" is the mighty warrior - God in the flesh - Who enforces justice for the innocent and judgment for all the offenders of God's Law.

If there was ever a time in our history that we needed for God to once again reveal His mighty "arm" and "cut" and "wound" nations which are rising up in arrogant blasphemy against the Son of God and His Holy Word and Kingdom, it is now!

Isaiah 51:9 - How we need to plead to God with every breath within our being to - "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old..."

Just as He revealed His mighty power on the behalf of the children of Israel when He brought down "Egypt," even so He will "cut" and "wound" the nations that are oppressing, afflicting, enslaving, persecuting, and torturing His people in this day and hour.

Do you need God's powerful intervention against your enemies who are set on your destruction?
Does your church need a mighty move of the Holy Spirit?
Does your nation need a manifestation of God's Power like Israel experienced in "generations of old"?

Then begin to pray like never before for God to "arise," "lift up" and "stir up" Himself, and "awake."
Psalm 118:27 - Take hold of the "horns of the altar," so to speak, and don't let go until you see a mighty manifestation of the "arm of the Lord" on your behalf.

It is time for God to "arise" in our homes, families, churches, ministries, cities, states, and nations.

And may it be so as David prayed in Psalm 68:1 - "Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate Him flee before Him."

May God Bless His Word.
Connie

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