Though the next four years under the Obama administration look difficult for the church in America, we have reasons for optimism about the future of the church and opportunity for revival in America.

First, the cultural landscape has shifted. No longer is the church in America the “right place to be” if you want to advance in society or business. In fact, being a part of the church in America which emphasizes salvation by grace and the truth of the Bible may be a hindrance.

This may be good news. Haven’t we known for a long time that we needed a regenerate church membership and purity in believers? Years ago, evangelists talked about the need to get people lost so that we could see them saved.

They meant that many people attended church and professed faith because it was the right thing to do. Jesus emphasized the importance of “counting the cost” and “taking up our cross.”

Won’t the church be better off if we have a membership which takes up the cross? Many people have stated that the church may become smaller and stronger at the same time.

Second, we are forced to trust God and become a people of prayer. I have been a pastor or seminary professor for the last forty years. I have never seen more of an emphasis on prayer, fasting, repentance, and revival.

This is a genuine reason for optimism. In much of the past, we have depended on what we could do. The result has been only what we could do. What will happen if we depend on what God alone can do? I am optimistic about this possibility.

Third, we are back to the first century after Christ. No human being could have predicted what happened in the first century. The Mediterranean world in the first century was a place of pagan worship and gross immorality. In that environment the Gospel flourished. Churches mushroomed and the Gospel became known to much of society.

That could happen again. I am praying it will.

Do these hopeful signs mean we are in for an easy time? No, we are in for very difficult times. Click here to look at what we can expect for the next four years.

More than anything else, we can expect for God to be our God and His kingdom to reign forever and ever.

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