Renewal and Reclamation

Today, as the Underground, we come together in prayer and fasting. Every great move of God in the Bible and throughout history begins with Extraordinary Prayer and Fasting. From the other side of eternity, we will find that the most influential people were not, perhaps, Presidents or Prime Ministers, but the people who walked with God through passionate prayer.

In the Kansas City Underground, one of the phrases that we repeat over and again is, “Repentance should be quick, common, and continuous.” We should quickly repent when we discern that we need to repent. It should not be something foreign to us, but a posture that is common. Therefore, it should be continuous. We want to be a people that are continually asking the Spirit to turn our minds from the ways of this world and to the ways of Jesus.

Today, we will look at two other “Re-”words: Renewal and Reclamation.

Strategic Focus: Renewal and Reclamation

RENEWAL

Renewal can be seen in different ways. One way to look at it would be with this definition which is probably what most of us think when we hear the word: the replacing or repair of something that is worn out, run-down, or broken. If we find ourselves worn out, run-down, or broken, one of the following passages might encourage us to press onward as the Spirit of God supports us in our weakness. Take some time to read slowly through these:

“They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are[e] being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18

Here’s another way to think about renewal: resuming ac- tivity after a period of dormancy, interruption, or inactivity. John writes to the Church in Ephesus:

But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.

Revelation 2:4–5a, emphasis added

John is saying, pick up again the way you lived when you first found me and fell in love with me. You have fallen into a place where your life does not reflect the love you say you have. Resume the former way. Return to your first love.

Reflect:

Consider these two nuanced definitions of renewal. Which one resonates more with where you currently find yourself? Ask the Lord to highlight one of these passages. Turn to him in prayer. If it is the former, ask him to restore you in the way you need. If it is the latter, ask him to show you what you need to resume to return to your first love. In either case, ask Jesus to bring you renewal today.

RECLAMATION

While the word reclamation has often been attached to land restoration, more generally, this word has the meaning of “claiming something back” or “reasserting a right.” When we think about the grand narrative of Scripture, we can see that humanity gave power to the enemy. From Genesis chapter three through the end of Revelation, the Father has been “reclaiming what has been lost or stolen.” The narrative finds its great culmination in these words:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! God himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Revelation 21:1–4

Before continuing, take a few moments to praise God for this great and glorious future that sustains our hope even now. You might take your current fears and frustrations and turn them into prayers like, “Father, though I grieve now… I praise you that one day you will wipe away every tear.” Or, “Father, though I am suffering under the weight of this addiction or the pain of this disease, I praise you that one day, you will set the captive free completely and that there will be no more pain.” Offer as many of these prayers as the Spirit inspires.

Next, consider what areas the Lord might want to reclaim in your life. That is, on a personal level, where are the areas that you want Jesus to reassert his rights in your life that have been given over to the enemy’s control?

If there are areas that are clear to you, offer up prayers of repentance and ask the Lord to reassert his rights over that area of your life and give you freedom.

If nothing immediately comes to mind, take a few moments in silence to ask the Spirit, “Are there any areas of my life where you need to reassert your rights? Are there areas that I have taken back control that I need to surrender again to you, Jesus?

If you have a clear sense of how Jesus wants you to join him in obedience as he reasserts his rights in some area of your life, write an “I Will…” statement and share that with someone today.