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.
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.
“Name Calling” The “If – Then” of
this verse is a definite promise made to a particular group, the people
called by God’s name. That is an interesting connection for the Holy
Spirit to make five hundred years before the birth of Christ, before
there was a church or a people called by the name of Christ.
Historically this promise was made to Israel which is translated “Prince
with God” but prophetically Isaiah was looking through the ages to a
people that were not, but would be. A people that would be established
by God and called by His name. It was in Antioch that the disciples of
“The Way” were first called Christians (Acts 11:26) and a people that
are called by His name became God’s people.
So we are that people!
What a privilege to be called by His name. Scripture uses the type of
marriage to describe our union with Christ. He is the Bridegroom and
The Church is His Bride. As the married wife, our name has been changed
and we are called by His name giving us the authority of the Husband.
At the name of Jesus demons flee and chains of bondage are destroyed.
We have access to the Throne of Grace by no other name than the name of
Jesus. John 14:12 tells us, “I say unto you, He that believeth on me,
the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall
he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my
name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If
ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” There is nothing more
powerful! There is no greater calling! And there is no greater
responsibility than to be called a Christian!. Created in His image and
called by His name our destiny is laid out before us. If we will
humble ourselves and pray, seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways
God will heal our land.
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.
IF – THEN In 1686 Sir Isaac Newton published “Newton’s Principia” which explained the “Law of Gravity”. It was a very complicated and detailed description of why things fall to the ground. Simply put IF something is dropped THEN it will accelerate downward. The laws of the universe are like that. They always work. In our Scripture today we have the assurance of the Creator of all the Laws of the Universe in an “If – Then” promise.
The first word in this week’s Scripture is perhaps the most important one. God has placed a cause and effect on this promise that is important to understand. IF God’s people will do their part then God will hear, forgive, and heal. America needs healing. It will not come from a Supreme Court ruling or new legislative victory. Our land is crying out for restoration and the only hope is “If God’s People”. The Lord of Heaven and Earth has ordained that you hold the key to the restoration of our nation. It is easy to look for someone else to be responsible but the degeneration of our nation demands that we trust God’s word and obey His command. We can begin the process of healing! Not in our own wisdom or strength but by trusting in the Lord and not our own understanding. We must walk in His ways and acknowledge that He is our salvation. THEN He will hear from Heaven! THEN He will speak the word that can shake the foundations of this world! THEN He will heal our land!
