If My People

“…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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

The above verse has been on my mind a lot since going to the polls last Tuesday. In this particular text, the Lord is giving Solomon instruction as to how the people should respond when under God’s judgment. This text applies so well to us today. It expresses the only hope in a day of such darkness. The answer is not in getting enough people to vote a particular way. Voting is the least we can do. Our power is really in obedience to our text today, so let’s break this verse down.

“if My people who are called by My name”
If we want real change for good, it’s not going to be accomplished by the politicians. It doesn’t come by controlling the masses. The key lies with those who call themselves by the name of the one true God. The church has the hope for humanity. Brethren, change starts with us. We have to quit pointing our fingers at everyone else. It must begin with those of us who call ourselves by the name of Christ.

“will humble themselves”
Unless we abandon our pride, we will not improve the condition of things. I was so disappointed after 9/11 to see bumper stickers pushing “The Power of Pride” on one side of the vehicle and “God Bless America” on the other. We should have been humbled after that attack! It is not a prideful people who God will hear. According to Isa 57:15, God dwells “in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

“and pray and seek My face”
What can one vote do? Don’t you feel small and insignificant when you leave the polls? But answer this question: what can one prayer do?!! Elijah was a man, one single man, who James says was no different in his humanity than we are.  But he prayed one prayer to God, and there was no rain in the land for three and a half years! One child cried out to his heavenly Father, and great change took place. Why would we look anywhere else for help? “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (Jam 5:16)

“and turn from their wicked ways”
In that same verse in James which speaks of the power of one righteous man’s prayer, we are reminded that sin must be abandoned. Jam 5:16 begins with the words, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” The biblical word for turning from sin is repentance, but sadly the message of repentance is missing from many pulpits today. There will be no healing apart from repentance. The first instruction out of Peter’s mouth on Pentecost when his hearers were made conscious of their sin was, “Repent!” (Act 2:38) Sinners need to repent, and that repentance isn’t a one-time thing because we didn’t cease to sin even after salvation. Just listen to 1Jo 1:8-9: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

“then I will hear from heaven”
What a promise–to be heard! And, not by just anyone, but by God Almighty!! Remember where our God resides. People who have the ear of the man sitting in the White House think they have power, but the church has the ear of the One who dwells in heaven! I’m amazed at the energy that even professing Christians will give to political causes while to spend thirty minutes in prayer to God would seem excessive to them. Have we forgotten Pro 21:1? “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Our God rules over all. He is the King of all kings. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31)

“and will forgive their sin and heal their land”
Our land is sick, brethren. The solution lies with those who call themselves by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the church who holds the key. If change for the better comes, it will not be because we rallied together behind some political candidate or cause. It will come because we examined our own hearts and realized that sin has found its way into our churches. We’ve studied the book of Acts for many months now. My burden for studying this book when we began our journey was that we might see what the church is supposed to be and understand we’re a far cry from it today. Oh, may those of us called by His worthy name humble ourselves, pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways! God will keep His promise to hear, forgive, and heal if we do.

Jamie

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