Turn Turn Turn

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) 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.

      In Leviticus 10:1 Scripture records the story of two of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu. They were priests that had been sanctified for service in the House of the Lord. Son’s of the High Priest, they knew the ways of God and were charged with service in the Temple yet they decided to “do things their own way”. These men had grown up in Egypt. They had watched the multitudes throng the pagan temples and were familiar with the pleasures of the world. Only eight verses after this passage God warns the priests to not use strong drink when they go in to the tabernacle of the congregation leaving us to believe that perhaps these two had been drunk when they decided to bring “strange fire” and offer it unto the Lord. Nadab and Abihu were charged with leading the people of God in worship. They took it upon themselves to reinvent worship and do it their own way. God considered this “strange fire”. When they offered fire that was not from the Brazen Altar, God not only rejected their worship He sent out His own fire and devoured them. It is an interesting note that verse 5 tells us they were carried away in their coats. Truly God punishment for the offering of strange fire was to send a “strange fire” that devoured them but left them intact.
      This happens all too often in our churches and lives. We find that using the world’s methods and practices are more appealing to the masses so we incorporate them into our worship. We strive to please men more than God. The true tragedy of this situation is that the tares grow right along with the wheat and while from an earthly perspective the church seems to be okay, the exterior appears healthy, the interior is as dead man’s bones. Aaron is upset with death of his two sons and Moses speaks these words to him, “This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.” God demands that those that will seek His face and draw close to Him be sanctified. It is in this way that God is glorified. I have seen ministers that insisted people wear ties and dresses on the platform to try and bring about some form of sanctification. Whitewash! God is interested more in the fire we are offering than the coat we are wearing.
      Revival comes from God! He is the only one that can send it and heal our land. Yet, God has declared that we must humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. We must put away the whitewash and worldliness and worship God in Spirit and in Truth. It is the only way to approach Him. Don’t be fooled by the outward success of dead worship. Seek the power of knowing God at His altar. That is where we can truly turn from our wicked ways.