America's Only Hope

2 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 will heal their land."

When we do what God instructs us to do, God will do what He has promised to do.

2 Chronicles 7:14 is without a doubt the most well know verse in the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles. It is the most quoted verse when referencing revival.

2 Chronicles 7:14 is a very significant verse when we are considering the great need of revival in our nation. We cannot adequately deal with revival and disregard the principles given in this passage.

It is (and has been for a long time) my contention that the reason the United States of America is in the moral and spiritual condition it is in right now is because of the moral and spiritual condition that the churches of the United States are in right now. Because of the moral and spiritual condition that the Christians of our nation are in right now.

1. Consider the Circumstances Surrounding this Passage. a. It is given in response to Solomon's prayer of dedication of the Temple. 2 Chronicles 6:1-42 is a powerful prayer. Note especially verses 24-27, "And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house; Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers. When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them; Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance." Previously the Tabernacle, and then the Temple represented the very presence of God. God's people were instructed to bring the sacrifices for their sins to the altar at the Temple. They were instructed to pray toward the temple. Now, today, according to Hebrews 4:16, because of Jesus sacrificial blood, we can come directly and boldly to the very throne of God. Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." b. It was given when Israel was at a spiritual "peak." They were in the beginning days of their best years. There was no idolatry or blatant sins to be dealt with. They were, as a nation, right with God. However, God knows and Solomon understood very clearly that mankind has a tendency to wander and that nations have a tendency to deteriorate morally and spiritually. God was putting into place for Israel a means to return to the blessings and favor of God whenever they would stray. The USA, like many nations before) started strong, both morally and spiritually, but has left the Biblical foundation it once enjoyed.
   

2. Notice the Conditions Given in this Passage. God is telling Israel, "This is what you must do to restore my blessings upon your land." And, though the passage is directed to the nation of Israel, I am convinced the principles given here apply to the USA and any other nation that will follow them. It is important to understand that God's "blessings" do not necessarily mean more money, possessions, or greater vacations. The blessings of God are more along the lines of inner peace, spiritual stability, happy and holy families, having a positive and powerful influence, a clean heart and pure mind, the joy of the Lord, victory over "besetting" sins, and answered prayer. Notice that God says, "If my people, which are called by my name..." The hope of America's restoration lies in the hearts of God's people. A stronger military, greater politicians, nor an improved economy will bring revival. It can only begin in the hearts of God's people and the churches of our land. When we start taking seriously the sinfulness of our sin, the reality of God's coming judgment, and the presence of the Holy Spirit of God within us, "then" we can see God revival our churches and restore our land. a. We must "humble" ourselves. To humble myself means to deliberately remove my pride and subject myself to the Lord and submit my will to His will. The first thing God looks for in His people is a humble submission of our will to His will by faith. Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." John the Baptist put it this way, "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30. b. We must pray. Notice God does not say what to pray for, but just pray. To pray means to make request; to entreat. I am afraid that pride and prayerlessness is killing our churches and harming our land. Self will and self love are a spiritual cancer in our homes and churches. The church in Acts was at it's strongest when it's members prayed passionately and persistently. We have no right to complain and criticize our country if we are not humbly, passionately, and persistently praying for our county. c. We must seek God's face. To "seek" means to intensely desire; to make inquisition, and by "face," God means His attitude; His sentiments. To seek God's face means to seek God's mind on any given issue we face in life. To seek God's face is simply to seek God's will in His Word. d. We must repent. "...turn from their wicked ways..." To repent simply means to change my mind about my sin, to turn around from the direction my life is going. To put it more clearly, stop doing wrong! Until we are more concerned about our own sins than we are about the sins of the society around us, we will never see revival and America will never be restored.
   

3. Notice the Consequences Given in this Passage. a. God will answer our prayers. b. God will forgive our sin. That is, He will remove His judgment. c. He will heal our land. He will make our nation what it is supposed to be; restore it's spiritual and moral health.
   

I might be dreaming, but I think that a true revival in the United States could potentially start right here in our church and within my heart, if we simply follow God's instructions.