Revival In The Land!

Revival in the Land!

2 Chronicles 7:14-15

July 4, 2021

I’m going to start by quoting someone who is possibly the most divisive person in the United States. I don’t have to tell you his name . . . most of you are already guessing who it is . . . and you’re right!

It was a slogan we’ve heard for the past 5 years, and it hasn’t stopped. It was ---

Make America Great Again! It was affectionately called MAGA!

Some despised the man, some loved him. No matter what, it’s a good slogan. I don’t believe there’s one person here who would not want America to be great . . . again. We would all agree we’ve had our issues over the past years. Not just last year, but it’s been building up for a long time. It doesn’t matter if you’re an independent, socialist, democrat, republican, libertarian, or a pedestrian. We’ve all seen cracks in our armor.

So, today, on this 4th of July holiday, I want to talk for a few minutes about making America great. And I believe we have a huge responsibility in this.

You see, I don’t believe we can use morals and ethics to help America be great. There are way too many differences of beliefs about what is sin and what is not. I’ll leave it at that. So, to use morality is not going to work. What will? I believe the following passage is something we can all do.

It comes from 2 Chronicles 7:14-15. It’s pretty well known as well. It says this --

14 if my people who are called by my name 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. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. - 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

Let me give you the back story to this passage. As the temple was being dedicated, King Solomon prayed a great prayer of dedication. Part of the prayer contained possible problems for the people.

In the verses preceding and following the prayer, there was discussion about the potential hard times which could occur for the people of God. There might be a drought, plagues, diseases, a military defeat, famine, cities under attack and possible exile to a foreign land.

This is a conditional verse. It’s an IF - - - THEN passage. God promises to do something, but only if we do our part.

I don’t think I need to convince anyone --- our world, let alone our country is in trouble. Not withstanding terrorism, we have lots of issues within. We are a divided nation. We can’t get along with one another, we can’t even agree to disagree with one another. It’s really that bad. So . . . what’s the solution? I believe this passage is a solution. It’s a reminder of who we are called to be. For the next few minutes, I want us to consider what’s being said.

Understand this about the passage, it’s a personal application passage. If you don’t do this, the next person won’t do it either. There’s also no guarantee if you do this, your neighbor will. But if the Christian will not seek to accomplish what Solomon lays out for us, then nobody will. So, this is a personal and a corporate mission. Now, let’s break this down and see what Solomon is calling for us to do-

The passage starts out by telling us - -

14 If my people who are called by my name. . .

That first word is SO important. IF is a huge word. If you do this. That doesn’t mean we will, it’s just a big IF. So, if

MY people . . . means God is speaking to us and about us. This is not a message to any particular political party. This is not a universal request. It’s a very specific request to God’s people. This invitation is for ‘God’s people.’ This isn’t for Hindus, Muslims, or anyone who doesn’t proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior.

When you said YES to Jesus, you become God’s people. And you are called by His name. Think about it this way. When someone says what’s your name, you tell them the name you are called. When someone asks you what you believe. You would say, “I’m a Christian, I believe in Jesus.” So, you are identifying yourself by His name.

That makes you God’s people. Adopted into the family of God. You’re His child, who is dearly loved, and worth dying for. To be called by the name of the Lord means you have called upon the name of the Lord to be saved.