National Day of Prayer......

National Day of Prayer...

As I was praying this morning for our country, this one prevailing thought kept coming to my mind. If a man does not stand on truth, he will crumble, for there is not foundation to sustain him.

As I listened to many prayers for our nation, there were many thoughts shared in regards to our leaders and the state of our country.

My heart was burdened by God's word that tells us, " 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. 2 Chronicles 7:14"

I was led to see the context of this passage and was reminded that this was given by Solomon after the dedication of the temple. God,had appeared to Solomon at night with promises and warnings. In the event that God sent drought, locusts, or pestilence on the people, they ( God's people ) should humble themselves, ...pray, ......seek His face, and turn from their ( God's people ) wicked ways, He would forgive their sin and restore their land. Wow! God did not point to the famine, or the pestilence, instead He gave His people the direction they needed.......showed them that their wickedness is what needed to change.......by turning from it, by humbling themselves and kneeling before a Great and Holy God, and seeking His face. I think we should define "wicked" here....this is anything that is bad or evil in thought or actions.

Please don't think I am pointing fingers for I sit in tears of mourning for myself, for our churches, for our country, and for our people. I type these words for me so that I can anchor on Jesus and His Word, and not be swayed by the lies the world/enemy has to offer. The enemy of our soul is so subtle and he tries to cause us to look at our leaders or others as the cause of our trouble but let us look to ourselves. Abortion is murder, but there is grace, Homosexuality....is sodomy but there is grace , apathy is apathy but there is grace. Grace available to all who turn. Let us not call good, evil, and evil, good. Let us not reason away those things that God says are sin.

I would have been aborted if not for God using a doctor to assure my sweet mother that he would take care of her and he did. I am here because someone cared about a woman in a difficult marriage and what seemed hopeless to her was not. Oh, how grateful for life and for that doctor, when I realize had the enemy won that battle....I would not be here.

These words "feel" stronger than I normally type but God is stirring in my heart not to be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, or God's truth in His Word. We, as a whole, are loosing the ability to speak truth in love to one another, and to others.

I leave you with these thoughts by J. Barton Payne, from the Believer's Bible Commentary...

"This great verse, the best known in all Chronicles, expresses as does no other in scripture God's requirement for national blessing, whether in Solomon's land, in Ezra, or in our own. Those who believe must forsake their sins, turn from the life centered in self, and yield to God's word and will. Then, and only then, will heaven send revival." 

Search me, oh God........Show me, if there be any wicked way in me.......