"The Current Crisis(Iraq, N. Korea, Etc.)"

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