2 Chronicles 7:14 – HELP FOR AMERICA
I probably don’t have to tell you that America is a moral and spiritual mess! Just look at the deterioration in American television, radio and movies. Things are said and allowed on them that were considered inappropriate and lewd in the past.
Consider also the drastic increase of unmarried couples living together, and the lack of respect and discipline in the schools.
And what about all the perverted crimes against children and the astronomical number of abortions performed in a year?
So, what is the solution to this problem? Can we see any change? Is there a way of seeing America reverse itself and once again become a God-fearing nation? I believe the answer is “yes”. But I also believe that for America to turn around, the change must begin here and in every church that truly preaches and practices the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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.
I want us to see three things from this verse;
GOD’S PEOPLE ARE RESPONSIBLE
If my people, which are called by my name,
When these words were originally written, God’s people were the Children of Israel. And although Israel is still special in God’s eyes, and will someday serve God through the Lord Jesus Christ. There is another people today that are the people of God.
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 1:12-13 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Not only are we God’s people but, as the text says, we are called by God’s name. Actually we are called by the name of God’s Son. We are called Christians.
When things are morally and spiritually rotten, God’s people are responsible.
If my people, which are called by my name,
You might be thinking, “How can you blame all of this on us Christians?”
I believe that the problem is, at least in part, our fault for a few reasons:
1. We have failed to live Godly lives. 1 Peter 1:15-16
2. We have failed to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” to those around us. Matthew 5:13, Matthew 5:14-16
3. We have failed to witness to others.
4. We have failed to really care about the conditions around us, and failing to care, we have,
5. Failed to pray!
So, like it or not, we are responsible for part of the problem, because we have not been part of the solution.
GOD’S PEOPLE ARE TO REPENT
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves,
When a person repents, he or she has a change in heart and a change in direction. He is headed in the wrong direction and turns around to go in the right direction. The first part of repentance is humility.
Humility is a quality that God requires of those who would be saved. In order to have God’s forgiveness we have to admit that we are sinners and can’t save ourselves.
Humility is a quality that God requires of Christians.
I believe that we as Christians need to humble ourselves in two ways. First of all, we try too hard in our own strength.
We fail to admit what Jesus told us in John 15:5. With out Him we can do nothing.
The sooner we realize that we are helpless without God, the better off we will be. What stops us? Our pride keeps us from humbling ourselves before God and admitting that we need His help.
Also our pride and our lusts keep us from admitting that we have sin in our lives that needs to be dealt with. We don’t like admitting our sin or allowing God to take the sin away from us.
Need an idea of what sort of things comprise sin? Proverbs 6:19-20, Revelation 21:7-8
Amos 3:3 – Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Sin is anything that God does not agree with!
We can’t walk with God unless we agree with Him!
If my people, which are called by my name,shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
The next step in repentance is seeking God’s face through prayer.
We fail to live holy lives because we fail to pray.
Oh we pray when people are seriously ill.
But we don’t pray seeking God’s strength for Godly living.
And we don’t pray seeking God’s forgiveness for our sins.
And we don’t pray bringing the need of our nation before the Lord.
There was once a man named Nehemiah who was concerned because the city of Jerusalem was defenseless. Before he did anything else he beseeched God in repentance and prayer. Nehemiah 1:4-11
Nehemiah knew how to seek the face of God in prayer. How about you?
Psalm 66:18 – If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Psalm 32:5 – I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
And with confession of sin comes turning from sin.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
Turning away from sin means I’ve truly repented of sin.
Turning from sin, requires personal submission to God and reliance of on Him. Romans 6:1-14
GOD’S PEOPLE WILL BE REWARDED
If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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.
Notice the word “then”.
Don’t expect God to hear, forgive or heal until you have humbly repented.
God promises to hear when we cry out to him in humble confession and forsaking of sin. When God hears, He is attentive and ready to act in our behalf.
God also promises to forgive our sin. We’ve already seen that.
But please realize that forgiveness means a removal of guilt. So many of us walk around feeling guilty about things that God wants us simply to confess and forsake.
Finally, God promises to heal our land.
What land?
America? Yes, as Christians pray for the healing of America individually and corporately, I believe we will experience healing.
But God also promises to heal YOUR LAND.
Perhaps it’s a behavioral problem that you have.
Perhaps it’s a broken relationship. Perhaps it’s a financial need.
Perhaps it’s a problem with your husband or wife, son or daughter, Mom or Dad.
Perhaps it’s a need for friends or loved ones to be saved.
When we are right with God, we open the door for God to answer our prayers and to meet our needs. Jeremiah 33:3, 1 John 5:14-15
Jeremiah 33:3 – Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.