-July 4, 2022-
Good Morning, happy Monday, happy Independence Day,
“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).
There are many similarities between Israel of old and present day America. From its inception, our nation has been founded on God and His Word. The Lord loves our country so much and desires that we return to Him. Sadly, our country has been moving further and further from God. This is why there are so many terrible things happening. We see it all around us on TV, on the internet, and from all the news sources. God calls it “ their wicked ways.” We need to repent as individuals and as a nation and turn back to God.
There are two key words in today’s verse: “if,” and “then.” An if-then statement, also called a conditional statement, is a statement with a hypothesis followed by a conclusion. We may say it as, “If this happens, then that will happen.” Here in our text, God is speaking to Solomon and the nation of Israel at the dedication of the temple. This is the second time that God has appeared to Solomon. God knew there would be times that His chastisement would come upon them and they would need to turn back to Him. That is what repentance is: a turning from sin, wickedness, and evil to God, His truth and righteousness. It is a 180 degree turn. God promises to do His part in blessing us when we as His people do our part by turning back to Him.
Repentance leading to revival starts in the hearts. Whenever there have been great revivals, it always begins with the people of God, then it reaches nations and individuals. God uses many things to get our attention. If we don’t listen, He intensifies the troubles and difficulties until we do. The steps of getting right with God are listed clearly in our verse: we must humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways. These are clear instructions that require little explanation; but need definite and immediate action.
John the Baptist told those who came to be baptized by him in preparation of Jesus’ coming, “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones” (Matthew 3:8). John is saying, “Talk is cheap, unless us it is accompanied by actions.” It is not enough to live in a Christian country, grow up in a Christian family, or even attend a Christian church. There must be a personal decision to receive Christ and to walk with Him. Before our nation can repent and turn back to God, we as individual believers must humble ourselves and pray. America needs our prayers!
We must not only humble ourselves and pray, but we must seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways. We can’t sugarcoat sin, we must judge it in our own lives and confess it and forsake it. Once we are right with God, He will work in mighty ways in our lives and in our nation. God promised, “Then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.” And, Oh how we need it in our lives, churches, and in our country!
Though these steps are difficult and painful, there can be no shortcuts or alternatives. God only blesses us when we seek Him. In Israel’s case, she didn’t repent and God took the whole nation into captivity for seventy years. It was a painful time. We in America are heading for a fall like this as well. Let us turn back to God now by praying, humbling ourselves, seeking His face, and turning from our wicked ways. His heart and arms are wide open to us.
Have a blessed day celebrating our country’s 246th birthday by turning to God and praying for our nation. We have so many freedoms and opportunities in our nation. Stay safe and healthy.
In drawing near to God,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 