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. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. 2Ch 7:14-15
April 16, 2021
Choice
A promise was given to Abraham that he would be a father of nations and his seed would be blessed. King David was descendant of Abraham who saw and enjoyed the blessings and favor of Father Abraham. Scriptures tell us that the son of David named, King Solomon, had great wisdom from God but he also sampled the great sins of his day: permissiveness, sexual indulgences, and idol worship. The prayer above was prayed by King Solomon. He realized the good and evil of man and pleaded for God’s mercy upon His chosen people when they would fall into sin. God had promised to bless or curse man’s descendants to the third or fourth generations based on man’s choices. God granted King Solomon his request. The prayer of Solomon is a perpetual prayer that touches all generations because Jesus is that Seed through David and Abraham upon whom a blessing was pronounced as an eternal King over God’s people. Our choice to obey and accept our Risen Savior makes us a recipient of that prayer and brings us under the blessings of God through King Jesus.
There are many people that want to assume the favor of God through Jesus Christ who have never repented, come into obedience or submission to Him (Joh 1:23). Some churches have led people to believe they are blessed because of an offering, church attendance, or shaking the preacher’s hand. Submission requires a daily and eternal commitment to obedience. The angels of heaven have power and a will but they must submit to the Sovereign God.
The prayer of Solomon above was prayed several thousand years ago but it is a word for our generation as well. A leader can walk in good or evil and can bring a blessing or curse upon the people. People are influenced by their leaders but they also have a responsibility of obedience to God in praying for their leaders that the leader will be guided by the Hand of God.
The beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the individual’s salvation. It has always been true that the soul that sinneth shall die (Ez 18:4), but Jesus came and sacrificed Himself so that those persons who put their trust in Him would be made righteous through Christ’s obedience. Our salvation, obedience and blessings are no longer dependent on the obedience of this world’s leaders; but upon Christ.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Joh 3:16
Our acceptance and obedience to Christ brings us back in obedience to the Father and prevents the penalty of death and wrath from God that would destroy us because of disobedience as an individual or group.
Nations
All nations of the earth are blessed through the Seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ, when they accept and obey the Lord Jesus.
I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Act 10:34-35
America is a nation that is compiled of people or immigrants from many nations, but the banner over America is One Nation Under God. Originally established as a God-fearing nation, citizens of America came under a covenant to God made by the founding fathers and worshipers who prayed over and dedicated the nation to God. It is a blood covenant that man cannot break without the penalty of death. Surely God foresaw the beginning and purpose of this nation and guides its destiny. If America does not withstand the forces that seek to lead it away from God, it will pass away like many great nations in history. God cares more about souls than inanimate objects. The only beauty of America is its true worship of Christ, who died for it. Though new immigrants bring in their cultural background and beliefs, the banner over America has always been faith in the God who has watched over and blessed the nation.
Law or Christ
The bible clearly tells us that the Law (Ten Commandments) was given to us to prove to us our inability to obey and lead us to obedience to God.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Gal 3:24
The Law told us that the penalty for sin was death but Christ offers us another chance through mercy and grace. American law was based on the principles of the Ten Commandments and American law should bring us to a level of obedience where God is pleased with our nation until we come on one accord in Christian faith. Destroying just laws that bring the favor of God upon us would lead us away from Christian hope and into disfavor and disobedience, which of itself ushers in the wrath of God. We should be aware of any man or woman who would change God’s law and relieve us of our Christian hope. Neither will secular Christianity deliver us from God’s required obedience.
The Ten Commandments made very clear what was the difference between good and evil. Being evil brought sure consequences of death but Christ took that penalty of death upon Himself so that we could have another chance to obtain eternal life. Those that want to change the righteous laws that help us distinguish good from evil and the ability to deal with those actions accordingly are taking us back to Old Testament sin and destruction. Each of us have a voice, opportunity and responsibility through Christ to uphold God’s way.
Christ Forward
We have seen in our communities, some churches that professed Christ where their leaders fell into sin or scandals broke out among the congregation. There is no failure in God and there was no sin found in Christ. Our goal, as a people of faith, should be to achieve perfection that is only possible by following the footsteps of Christ. We have been given many opportunities in Christ to get back up through His forgiveness and try it again. Prayers are needed for leaders and for the people; and we know that our Great Lord intercedes before the Father for us all in hope of a fruitful work in the earth. He died for us to prevail and He and the heavenly saints are rooting for us like players on the ball field. Where there is great sin, there is also great grace (Rom 5:20). Christ allows us to see our weaknesses for a reason. Our nation has been shown out in the open before our eyes and those of the world the weaknesses of our nation. God has pulled the cover off our sins of greed, sexual permissiveness, racial hatred, idol worship, lying and arrogance in hope that the shame would bring us to repentance. Our commandment in this generation is simple.
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Joh 13:34
Christ has done the hard work; He never asks us for anything He has not already given us the capacity to do. He puts in us a divine love that He expects us to share with others. Further, He compels us to love our enemies. We have all fallen short and missed the mark, but we all have Gods grace to ask for forgiveness and try it again. God does not prefer or favor us based on our color, race, culture, or behavior; but rather because of the sacrificial work of Christ and our faith in Him. Only Christ is good enough! Our faith must be real and walked out in our daily lives. Our hearts must be made new. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross brings all people to the same level ground at the foot of the cross. No one comes in higher than another. Homosexuals, rapists, abortionists, liars, criminals, hypocrites and the religious all stand on level ground at the foot of the cross for mercy, grace and forgiveness of sin. None of us is better than the other. We all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23) and all sinners without the atoning blood of Jesus are destined for hell. Though we all have sinned, we should not allow the lies of man, laws or coercion to lead us further away from God. With faith in Christ Jesus, we can go forward to unify in Christ with one another. Only Christ can unify our nation and that is what our faith is for: to make us one in Christ (Jo 17:21).
It is not the beauty of America we should seek but rather the beauty of our Lord. It is not citizenship or identification with America that we need, but rather citizenship in God’s kingdom for the kingdom is nigh.
Let us pray:
Father God, who art in heaven, you have been merciful to us; first, in sending us your Son, Jesus, and then for offering Him up as a sacrifice for us. You have been gracious in both showing us our sin and allowing us time to repent. We cannot claim worthiness in our own right but it was our Lord who died for our sin. Forgive us, Father, of our sin, cleanse us of all our impurities of the flesh, wash away all our faults, give us your grace and mercy to see where we have gone astray and wisdom to choose the right path. Heal us individually and heal our nation, Lord. We acknowledge our need of you every day. Help us to love our neighbor and our enemies with the love you have given us. We admit our sin and seek your forgiveness. Empower us through your love to be emissaries for you every where we go. We thank you for Jesus and pray in His matchless name. Amen.
For more discussion on this issue, get my book:
Truth and Life Ministries of Christ with Apostle Joyce Reba Payne 