The Current Crisis(Iraq, N. Korea, etc.)
Is There Any Word From The Lord?
Text: 2nd Kings 1:1-17
Introduction-
We are truly living in one of the most crucial
hours of American history. Ominous clouds of fear
and doom seem to be gathering over our nation. In
a time such as this we need a definite word from
God, to assure our hearts, and offer us hope, if
there is any, out of our current crisis. Have we
gone too far? Is it too late to pray?
These are some of the questions that some
caring people have on their hearts and minds today.
We have been told to buy plastic coverings for our
windows, and to stock up on survival supplies in
case of a biological or nuclear attack on our
country. Ben Laden’s tactic to create fear in
the American people’s hearts and minds seems to
be working. Because of this, some of the people
of our country are desperately seeking an answer.
Will America be attacked by terrorists? I was
watching Montel’s talk show the other day, and
he had a woman on there who was a psychic pre-
dicting what she believed would be happening in
people’s lives, and in our country during the
present crisis.
I don’t believe that the American people
need to turn to psychics for answers. I believe
that we need to turn to God. In reference to this,
in the chosen text for this sermon, we find that
King Ahaziah had fallen through a lattice in his
upper chamber, and he was severely injured. He
got worried about himself, and what was going to
happen to him, so he called for messengers to go
to the god of Ekron to inquire if he was going to
recover or not. Elijah was informed of this by
the Lord, and the Lord sent Elijah to Ahaziah with
this message-"Is it not because there is not a
God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub,
the god of Ekron. Now thereore thus saith the
Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on
which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die."
That was a somber word from God, indeed, for the
backslidden king. It wasn’t what he wanted to
hear.
A similar incident occurred in the book of Jeremiah
when King Zedekiah sought out Jeremiah for a word
from God. God’s message to him was "Thou shalt
be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon."
Another somber message.
Let me give a third illustration. I was reading
a sermon on SermonCentral by Kenneth Sauer, entitled
"Mighty, but...". It was a good message. I would
like to take what he said, and apply it to our
current crisis. Naaman was commander of the army
of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the
sight of his master, and highly regarded...but
he had leprosy." I see a parallel in this inci-
dent, and our nation. America has been looked
upon by the world as a mighty nation. We have
the greatest arsenal of nuclear weapons of any
nation on earth. But...America has a problem.
It has a disease, called SIN. It is destroying
us, and like Naaman, we seem to think that we
know of better waters to turn to than God’s
Jordan, to be cleansed. We turn to psychics,
and fortunetellers. But, the only remedy to our
disease is found in 2nd 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 heal their
land." Other "waters" will not meet our need.
If we try God’s way, and obey His word, we will
see that His way works! Our nation will be healed.
Our enemies will tremble before us, instead of us
being afraid of them, and what they can do to us.
Now, I want to attempt to say what I believe God
wants to say to us, if we will but listen.
1. I believe God wants to tell us that He still
loves us, that He wants to forgive us, and bless
us again, as He has done in the past. He wants
us to know that He is still on the throne, and
in control.
Isaiah 55:11-"So shall my word be that goeth forth
out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and
it shall prosper in the thing whereunto I sent it."
He has only to speak the word, and it will be done.
Our storm will cease, and there will be a great
calm.
2.But, I believe that God cannot, and will not do
this, until we repent as a nation. He wants us
to draw neigh unto Him. He wants us to walk in
His ways. He wants us to turn from our evil ways.
Until we do, our crisis will not end, and our
future will be bleak. Abortion must be done away
with. Righteousness must rule in our courts, and
in our schools and homes. We MUST turn back to
God.
3.Thirdly, I believe that God wants us to know that
He is our only security. Psalm 20:7-
"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but
we will remember the name of the Lord our God."
4.Finally, I believe that God would tell us who
know Him and love Him, to share our faith with a
world that is longing for answers. We can point
them to Christ, who is our Hope, and our Peace.
In Him, they will find security, eternal security,
come what may.
Conclusion-May God bless America again, not in
sin, but in the seeking of His face. Amen
