Restored!

Restored!

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 KJV

Context and Charge:

God was speaking after Solomon's amazing sacrifices. He had just been made king, and his father must have shared with him the dream and desire to build a befitting temple for God. Materials had been stored up, and resources for the building were in abundance. Yet in all of these things, God had to make it clear to Solomon that life outside the dictates and demands of God was a waste. I cannot use money, influence or connections as a replacement for obedience to God's express commands. Sin is a reproach to any people or nation. It will not matter what you have done before or what good you may be doing now or whatever good you may be planning to do; sin changes the conversation. If I will be all that God intends, I must avoid sin at all cost. 

God lays it out very clearly that His people are the only ones He will listen to. 

I must sort out my allegiance; am I a citizen, reckoned with by God as one of His, or an alien, only seeking what I can get, and simply running away from God at the slightest hint of trouble? If I am a child of God, I am able to pray down God's intervention in my life, family, home and nation. There is a right atmosphere for this intervention; I cannot be actively involved in the things God hates and still demand that He come through for me. It is said very clearly in the bible that it is an abomination to expect grace to abound while I keep on sinning. I must turn away from sin. I must come to Him with a heart of humility, sure that I cannot help myself that admitting that only God can help. I must pray. These are all active words; they call for something from me. I also note that I do not get to pick and choose the ones that appeal to me; it is a package offer, with the fullness of God's blessings tied to the fullness of obedience. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

God also has a response if I get the actions right. If I come to Him the way He has laid it out, I have access to His presence and answers. You cannot imagine the joy, peace and favour that accompany a man who walks right in the midst of God's perfect will. There is no struggle with obedience, and God promises He will hear, forgive and heal. As He works on the individual, the individual will in turn impact the nation. I hold the power of influence over my nation; if I can go to God, hate the things he hates and love the things He loves, I will enjoy all that God has made available, and everyone connected with me will also enjoy the same supply. He wants me to come; He is able to do what He has said He will do. God's hands reach the entire earth, and what He has made will always respond to Him. God's time of favour is here.