July 5, 2008
July 4th is a time for us to be thankful that we are a free nation. A time to stop and reflect on how our nation was built on godly principles by godly men. We have freedoms in our country that other countries do not have. We have been blessed. But, although we were built on godly principles, we, as a nation, have gotten away from God. So many people have turned from God and sinned and lived wicked lives. Even some of God’s people are not living godly lives and experiencing changed behaviors by being obedient to Him. We get so caught up in everything around us that at times we are not recognized as being different from the world.
This
morning God directed me to the old testament to read about the temple that
Solomon built and then to the book of Ezra. In 2 Chronicles 7 we read
about the dedication of the temple after it had been built. Then God
appeared to Solomon and told him in verse 14: “If my people, who are called by
my name, will 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.” First God says to humble ourselves by
admitting our sin. Next pray to Him and ask forgiveness. Then seek
Him continually and then turn from sinful behavior. To truly repent we
must change our behavior.
In the
book of Ezra we read about a man who spent his whole life dedicated to serving
God and God’s people. He had a great knowledge of God’s Word and taught
the people what His Word said. He believed God and obeyed what He told
him. The people had gotten away from God, just as our nation has.
Ezra was deeply grieved over their disobedience and fell in humility before God
and prayed for the nation. His humble confession led to a national
revival.
Oh
that we would all turn from our wicked ways and humble ourselves for our own
disobedience and cry out to God for our nation. If Christians will pray
and seek God continually we can make a difference. God is watching and He
is listening!
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