“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NLT)

 

Our nation was founded on Christian principles but has turned its back on many of them. In his 1796 Farewell Address, President George Washington said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

The good news is that God loves to give second chances. The psalmist wrote, “He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve” (Psalm 103:10 NLT). Those who repent receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. We see His mercy and forgiveness at work in His dealings with the city of Nineveh.

Yet if the people of Nineveh had rejected Jonah’s message, the consequences would have been dire. The very existence of Nineveh hung in the balance. Our country will find itself in the same precarious position if we continue to reject God and His Word.

Job wrote, “You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer” (Job 14:5 NLT). That applies to nations as well. So as the salt and light of our nation, believers must develop a sense of urgency about igniting the flames of revival in this country.

Every nation’s days are numbered. Every great empire in history has had a beginning, a middle, and an end. The same will hold true for the United States of America, according to God’s timing. So, here’s what we’re praying for: one more great spiritual awakening—or maybe two or three. That’s up to the Lord. But our job, our mission, is like Jonah’s. We are to proclaim the Good News and tell people that there’s a God who loves them. Ours is a message of mercy but also a message of judgment for those who reject that mercy.

In John 3:16, Jesus said, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son” (NLT). That’s a message of mercy. But then He said, “so that everyone who believes in him will not perish” (NLT). That’s a message of judgment.

In Romans 6:23, Paul wrote, “For the wages of sin is death” (NLT). That’s a message of judgment. But then he wrote, “But the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (NLT). That’s a message of mercy.

Those two themes must be present in our gospel message. They are the twin pillars of revival.

 

Reflection question: In your circle of acquaintances, who needs to hear that God offers second chances?

Experience the Harvest Crusade on July 11 when you watch online!

—

The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

 

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

&ldquo;For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.&rdquo; (Romans 6:23 NLT)
&nbsp;
Our nation was founded on Christian principles but has turned its back on many of them. In his 1796 Farewell Address, President George Washington said, &ldquo;Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.&rdquo;
The good news is that God loves to give second chances. The psalmist wrote, &ldquo;He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve&rdquo; (Psalm 103:10 NLT). Those who repent receive God&rsquo;s mercy and forgiveness. We see His mercy and forgiveness at work in His dealings with the city of Nineveh.
Yet if the people of Nineveh had rejected Jonah&rsquo;s message, the consequences would have been dire. The very existence of Nineveh hung in the balance. Our country will find itself in the same precarious position if we continue to reject God and His Word.
Job wrote, &ldquo;You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer&rdquo; (Job 14:5 NLT). That applies to nations as well. So as the salt and light of our nation, believers must develop a sense of urgency about igniting the flames of revival in this country.
Every nation&rsquo;s days are numbered. Every great empire in history has had a beginning, a middle, and an end. The same will hold true for the United States of America, according to God&rsquo;s timing. So, here&rsquo;s what we&rsquo;re praying for: one more great spiritual awakening&mdash;or maybe two or three. That&rsquo;s up to the Lord. But our job, our mission, is like Jonah&rsquo;s. We are to proclaim the Good News and tell people that there&rsquo;s a God who loves them. Ours is a message of mercy but also a message of judgment for those who reject that mercy.
In John 3:16, Jesus said, &ldquo;For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son&rdquo; (NLT). That&rsquo;s a message of mercy. But then He said, &ldquo;so that everyone who believes in him will not perish&rdquo; (NLT). That&rsquo;s a message of judgment.
In Romans 6:23, Paul wrote, &ldquo;For the wages of sin is death&rdquo; (NLT). That&rsquo;s a message of judgment. But then he wrote, &ldquo;But the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord&rdquo; (NLT). That&rsquo;s a message of mercy.
Those two themes must be present in our gospel message. They are the twin pillars of revival.
&nbsp;
Reflection question: In your circle of acquaintances, who needs to hear that God offers second chances?
Experience the Harvest Crusade on July 11 when you&nbsp;<a href="https://live.harvest.org/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=SoCal2026">watch online</a>!
&mdash;
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
&nbsp;
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

God loves to give second chances, but judgment awaits those who reject His mercy.