God Does Not Move in a Cesspool

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. (Mark 1:4-5)

God had a plan for Israel. He was going to send the Messiah, but not into a nation full of unrepentant sin. So, as He always does, He prepared the way first.

Seven hundred years before John the Baptist showed up, Isaiah prophesied that there would be a forerunner. There would be a voice crying in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the Lord." John's role was not to be the main focus. His purpose was to shift the spiritual climate of an entire nation so that when Jesus arrived, the ground was ready to receive Him.

And that is exactly what happened. For over a year, John preached repentance and baptized people. The entire nation, except for the religious elite who had hardened their hearts, came out and repented. An entire nation turned from sin and set the stage for the greatest move of God the Earth had ever seen.

That wasn't just a coincidence; it's a principle. God works in pure places. He works through repentant people. He works when His people take sin seriously.

Consider what would happen if an entire city of believers sincerely repented—not just said sorry, but genuinely turned their hearts. What would God do in that city? What changes would occur in homes, hospitals, and neighborhoods? The book of Acts provides the answer. Such collective repentance opens the door to a collective move of God.

Practical Application

Don’t just pray for God to move; consider whether you have prepared a place for Him to move. Address what needs to be dealt with. Repentance is not weakness; it is the way to unlock everything God wants to do in your life.

Leviticus 26:40; Matthew 4:25