Jump on the Fast Train

There is a song called 'Fast Train'. Some of the lyrics lament these words...

“And you go on a journey way into the land

And you start breaking down

'Cos you're under the strain

And you jump on a fast train

And you start breaking down and go into the pain. Keep on moving on a fast train.

Keep on moving...on the fast train. These words are repeated over and over at the end of the song.“

Right now our journey on the land is long. Many are breaking down under the strain and under the pain and they just need a lift, they need to jump on the fast train.

As Christians when we are burdened with strain and pain what can we do? When we've lost our way, when we are lost in our sins and so far from God? When we’re in a world that is so lost in sin and nothing seems right anymore, we are surrounded by ungodliness and our souls are vexed like that of Lot’s soul, who lived in a sinful city. What can we do? What is the alternative? Well, we can jump on the fast train too.

This train may be fast, but it isn't just about motion. In the context for a Christian we can jump on the fast train of repentance, with weeping and mourning.

No matter your view on our current situation, all Christians would agree that we need to call on the name of the Lord for help. I hesitate to say that we need to call on him now more than ever, because we always need the Lord, but I think the situation that we are in warrants a fervent cry to our God. In fact God says, “If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sins and heal their land. (2Chronicles 7:14).

In a world full of turmoil we need to humbly seek our Lord while there is still time. Give Him your hearts, come fasting, weeping and mourning. (Joel 2:12).

This is a call to repentance. I zealously urge all believers and followers of Christ to pray and fast with me this week. Pick a day Sunday through Saturday to come before the Lord with fasting and prayers crying out to God to heal our land.

God states that He rebukes and chastens those that He loves, but he commands us to be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

Nehemiah, a great prophet of God called for a repentance. He wept and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. The great and awesome God who preserves the covenant and loving kindness of those who love Him and keep His commandments. (Nehemiah 1:4-5)

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting in evil. (Psalm 103:8)

God wants to see wrongs made right, He wants to see justice prevail. He blesses those who long for Him and cry out to Him.

The Lord is a God of Justice. How blessed are those who long for Him. Isaiah 30:18

God also calls us to another form of fasting. “Is this not the kind of fasting that I have chosen: to loosen the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-when you see the naked to clothe them, and to not turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear gaurd. Then you will call on the Lord and He will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I.”

Whether God is calling you to physically fast or figuratively fast by giving yourself to help others, God is still calling on us to repent. I think in this case we can bow our head like a reed to pray for God loose the chains of injustice.

I can not control anything going on around me. All I can do is jump on the fast train. I can give myself to God in prayer, weeping, fasting and repentance. I can call on Him for justice and mercy and to heal our land.

The train may not always be fast in terms of speed, because a fast of repentance may take time. The Lord isn’t slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

This passage from 2 Peter 3:9 is concerning the end of the world, but I think God is patient with us all throughout life on this earth and wants us all to take the time to repent and call on Him, because one thing we can count on is, His justice is swift.

Will He not bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. When the son of man comes will He find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:7-8)

Let’s be of those who are found faithful through our fervent prayers to the Lord as we continue to ride the fast train through this life.

I ask you to please fast, pray and repent with me this week as we seek the gracious, merciful, loving, and just God.