A Verse for Our Times

The final countdown has begun toward the fall elections.  The debates are over.  The television and radio ads have multiplied like rabbits.  Mailboxes are being inundated with information proclaiming the deficiencies of the candidates.  Newspaper editorial teams are making their prognostications, but the value of these editorial endorsements has decreased as newspapers continue to falter in the delivery of the news.  And the polls, I never knew there were so many polling groups.  And I have always wondered how a person gets called for one of these polls.  I have been a registered voter since 1965 and I have yet to be called.  Not sure what the magic formula is to get your name drawn. 

And as we approach November 6, many people are meeting for prayers of intercession on behalf of our nation.  I hear terms such as "this is the most important election in my lifetime" spoken over and over again.  And I believe that statement to be true.  And I have heard that promise from 2 Chronicles 7:14 quoted over and over again as if it were some type of magic formula.  I thought I would spend some time with that verse as I have been giving it a lot of thought these days.  The verse is found in the context of God answering the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the newly constructed temple.  And the immediate context is found in connection with God's statement concerning judgment that would come upon the people for their sins.  Then 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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Remembering that this verse is found in the context of a declaration of national judgment (vs. 13), I want us to notice the following:
1.  The onus for any national healing falls upon the shoulders of "my people."  And who are they today?  They are those who have put their faith and trust for salvation into the hands of Jesus Christ.  In other words, if there is to be any type of national healing, it must begin in the household of God.  We cannot expect the world to shape up; it does not know how to do that.  But we can expect that those who follow Jesus Christ should shape up. 

2.  The beginning point for national healing comes when believers in Jesus Christ "humble themselves."  Humility is one of the most difficult traits to achieve for just when you think you have arrived, pride of accomplishment can set in.  We live in a culture and society that worships at the throne built by pride.  And because of that spirit of pride we have come to the conclusion that we do not need anyone's help.  We can do it ourselves.  We can fix any problem.  We can solve any dilemma.  Humility admits that "I can't do anything alone." 

3.  National healing begins with humility and continues with believers praying and seeking the face of God.  We seek a lot of things today: possessions by the score, advancement in our careers, promotion of our families, etc.  But how many of us truly seek the face of God?  This seeking does not come by accident.  It must be deliberate on our part.  I must have the strong desire to pursue the very presence of God in my life.  That hunger is what drives me to the very throne of grace.

4.  Finally, national healing becomes available when God's people "turn from their wicked ways."  Friends, this will not happen unless there is first a humbling and then a seeking of God's face.  It is only when we truly see ourselves as God sees us that we discover how sinful we truly are.  No more excuses.  No more rationalizing.  No more blaming someone else.  Not only are we to confess our sins, but to make a deliberate decision to turn away from those sins. 

Friends, it is then that national healing can begin.  And what our nation truly needs is a healing from God.  How sad is it that we think of this need only when our nation is either facing a crisis or facing an election.  Let's not just read this verse in order to win an election.  But let us face the fact that God's judgment is coming and, unless God's people turn once again to Him, that judgment will be experienced.  No administration can prevent its happening.  No government can stop its influence.  Only God's people can stay God's hand. 

Quote for the week: God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruit of the Spirit" over "religious nuts."