Piper Says What I Said

John Piper wrote in his blog today:

"I believe the Lord brought this word to mind in one of our prayer meetings on Friday:

The worst of all times is the best of all times for missions."

And:

"Such words do not have intrinsic authority the way Scripture does. They must be tested. Here is the truth I hear in those words.

During an economic downturn we are more dependent on God. That is the most fertile soil for creating missionaries.

During an economic downturn unreached people around the world do not expect you to come, but to look out for yourself. So they may more likely see your risk as love rather than exploitation.

During an economic downturn those who need Christ around the world may be less secure in earthly things and more ready to hear about eternal life.

During an economic downturn people at home may be wakened to the brevity of life and the fragility of material things, and so may become more generous not less. And when they give under these circumstances, it will make Christ look all the more like the all-satisfying Treasure that he is.

And so it may well prove to be that the worst of all times is the best of all times for missions."

http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1464_Bad_Times_Are_Good_for_Missions/

Here is what I wrote on October 10th.

"What An Opportunity!"

"What a blessed opportunity for Christians to witness now to the lost and hopeless! What a time for our spiritual leaders to step up and call the nation to repentance with genuine compassion and concern.

What an opportunity to take advantage of these troubling times to teach men about sin, including greed, and faithlessness! What a time to call our nation to "consider its ways"! What a time for giving solid spiritual guidance to men who are looking for answers!

How weak are we! We cannot solve our problems! We cannot admit our own guilt in causing them and cannot confess our own inability to solve them! Oh how have we forgotten God!

Even now the pride of man swells and he puts his faith in himself, in his own abilities to save himself!

Rise up preachers! God is opening doors to help people! To instruct people! Be not still! Cry aloud!"

I hope others will come to see what Piper and I have seen and also seek opportunities to preach the gospel to the lost and downtrodden.