The Lion is Roaring
by Nathan Shaw
2020 is a year of divine justice. In the days of Amos the prophet, God roared against injustice:
“The LORD roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem” (Amos 1:2).
“The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken—who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:8).
“Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24).
Although Amos was from the southern kingdom of Judah he preached in the northern kingdom of Israel. After the reign of King Solomon, the northern kingdom split from the southern kingdom over the issue of oppression and forced labor (1 Kings 12:1-20). Now, less than 200 years later, Israel was guilty of oppressing her own poor (Amos 2:7-8, 4:1, 5:11-12, 8:4-6). Greed and dishonest gain had replaced justice and righteousness. God roared. Israel was scattered.
The United States of America has this in common with the northern kingdom of Israel: both nations were formed because people desired to live free from oppression. God’s plan is not to “scatter” the United States, but rather to heal the wounds of injustice that afflict the nation. As these wounds are healed, the United States will gain greater strength and standing in the nations.
Almost 2000 years ago, during the feast of Pentecost, God visited 120 believers in Jerusalem. Empowered by the Spirit, they boldly spoke with new tongues and declared the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:4, 11). Jews had gathered from many nations. They heard the declarations in their own languages. 3000 were saved in one day (Acts 2:41). Many newly saved disciples returned to their respective nations, extending God’s offer of salvation and reconciliation through their witness.
Pentecost was the antithesis of Babel. At the tower of Babel a united humanity, with a common language, rebelled against God (Genesis 11:1-9). God came down, confused their language, and scattered the people. At Pentecost God came down, overcame language barriers, and initiated a great in-gathering. God roared at Pentecost. This roar was to gather, not scatter. The roar continued to reverberate through His people and among the nations. Pentecost gave the newly formed church a voice. Dividing walls came down.
Pentecost 2020 marks a significant point of demarcation for the church and for the nations. Once again God is roaring against injustice. In the United States, Pentecost 2020 was marked by riots after the outrageous death of black man, George Floyd, at the hands of a white police officer. In the United States God’s roar is about to be felt by the black community. He is roaring over them and will roar through them. It will be seen, heard and felt. This roar will bring healing and impart identity and courage.
A new sound of heavenly justice will come forth. It will look different than anything the nation has seen before. There will be tears and rejoicing in the streets. What the enemy meant for evil will be turned for good. God’s message to the black community is this: “I have not forgotten you. I heard the cries of your grandfathers and grandmothers. Their intercession was precious to Me. Don’t be ashamed at the depth of your pain. As you pour it out I will heal the reproach of many generations. I have called you for such a time as this.”
In his generation Martin Luther King released a prophetic message from heaven. Since that time many agendas have tried to usurp and clutter this message. God’s roar will restore the purity, the power, and the simplicity of the message. As healing comes, the United States will be renewed with fresh vision and fresh clarity. She will be stirred once again to fulfill her God-ordained mandate of bringing freedom to the nations. Martin Luther King didn’t just speak a message, his life was a message. In this generation that message will be multiplied and trumpeted through the lives of many many people.
Heavenly justice and earthly justice often look totally different. In the midst of the present chaos and protests, God has a plan. “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken— who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:7-8). Only as we get close to His heart can we release and call forth the sound of divine justice for this generation.
© 2020 Nathan Shaw.
Related Articles:
2020: A Year of Seismic Shifts – Nathan Shaw
Pentecost 2020: A Significant Demarcation Point for the Church – Nathan Shaw
Back to Words for Nations