An Urgency In This Hour | Jentezen Franklin
An Urgency in This Hour: Embracing God’s Call With Passion and Purpose
In a world swirling with distractions, uncertainty, and challenges, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. For followers of Christ, there has never been a time more critical to rise above the noise and focus on the work of the Kingdom. Our moment is not ordinary. It is charged with heavenly purpose, and the call of God on our lives is as urgent as ever. Today, let us dive deep into what it means to live with urgency for the King’s business and discover how responding to God’s call, without delay, changes everything—for us, our families, and the generations to come.
The Call for Urgency in the King’s Business
One of the most gripping scriptures in 1 Samuel 21:8 declares, “The king’s business requires haste.” David’s words, spoken to the priest as he rushed into the temple pursued by danger, resonate across the centuries. The urgency he felt wasn’t born out of fear, but from a deep commitment to God’s calling. Just as David needed a weapon for the battle ahead, we too must be equipped and ready, knowing that the mission before us is serious, urgent, and non-negotiable.
The mission of Jesus Christ isn’t meant to play second fiddle to our ambitions or be tacked onto our busy schedules as an afterthought. The business of the King of Kings, our Lord and Savior, is to be our first priority. Every victory, every blessing, and every success in our lives should point back to Him. Our passion must be directed toward reaching hearts that have yet to know the love and freedom found in Christ.
The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: Why Urgency Matters
Make no mistake—spiritual warfare is real. The enemy, as described in John 10:10, comes only to “steal, kill, and destroy.” The adversary isn’t taking a break or slowing down. Hell itself is on a relentless expansion, strategically working to bring darkness and destruction into as many lives as possible. Just consider: while 10,000 churches close their doors every year in the U.S., evil continually advances its agenda. This means we as believers cannot afford complacency. It is time to step up and recognize the seriousness of our calling.
For those who follow Christ, the stakes could not be higher. Jesus Himself taught continually about the reality of hell—not to frighten, but to warn and awaken us to the ultimate consequences of ignoring God’s invitation. Our mandate is clear: we must, as Jude wrote, “pull them out of the fire.” We are called to rescue those teetering on the edge, to intercede for families, to pray for prodigals, and to never take a sabbatical when it comes to the eternal destination of souls.
Awakening a Sense of Urgency in the Church
Let us examine our own priorities. Have we allowed the King’s business to become just another item on our to-do list? Are we as fervent and focused about the gospel as the enemy is about advancing darkness? The kingdom of Satan is operating with urgency—but is the Church keeping pace?
The answer lies in regaining our passion for God’s mission. Jesus, even as a 12-year-old, declared in the temple, “I must be about my Father’s business.” That same level of passion and focus belongs to us. Success in the world means nothing if the cause of Christ is sidelined. Our businesses, careers, and daily routines become spiritually significant when we align them with God’s purpose and utilize every resource to shine His light into our community.
Three Reasons We Need Holy Urgency
Why is urgency non-negotiable for followers of Christ? Let’s explore three key reasons:
- We Face Constant Outside Opposition.There is a spiritual battle raging all around us. The enemy will do all he can to sow doubt, discourage, and distract. The apostle Paul explained that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. When opposition comes, it’s easy to shrink back and focus only on our own problems. But God is calling us to rise above the attacks and keep pressing forward, knowing our adversary’s goal is to silence and sideline us.
- We Are Pulled By an Inward Calling.Beyond every outward challenge, God places an undeniable conviction in every believer’s heart. There’s a holy calling on your life—a divine assignment that outweighs the confusion, problems, or pain you may face. Remember, the prophecy spoken over your life is greater than the pressure you feel. When the world tries to beat you down, let the fire of your calling stir you up even more. This calling urges us not just to survive, but to thrive in our faith and purpose.
- Time Is Limited.There is only so much time entrusted to each of us. The great cloud of witnesses—heroes of faith from Moses to Abraham—have run their race, and now it’s our turn. Today’s believers carry the torch. Our urgency must compel us to act, to reach, and to lead with intention. This is our generation’s moment to build, to sacrifice, to praise, and to serve, knowing that on the other side of every act of faith is a soul touched for eternity.
Living With Urgency: Raising the Next Generation
One of the clearest signs of urgency is seen in how we raise our children and guide our families. The example of Joshua, as described in Exodus and beyond, reminds us that an entire generation can be changed by one leader’s passion. Joshua refused to leave the tabernacle. He positioned himself to be filled with God’s vision and purpose, and as a result, inspired others to carry the mission