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“To Survive, America Must…”

In eight short days we will celebrate the birthday of our country. We will be 249 years old. In some ways I’m surprised we are still in existence. We have been living in a Post-Modern Society for a few decades now. The Judeo-Christian foundations are constantly and steadily being eroded. It looks as if the great city of New York is about to elect a 33-year-old communist/socialist who is an avowed Muslim and an active Hamas supporter. That pedigree is a thousand miles from Judeo-Christian underpinnings. The dangers within a republic are always present. At the 1787 Constitutional Convention, citizens were milling around outside the building eagerly anticipating the outcome of the men who were trying to establish the foundations of a new nation. One of those standing anxiously was a Mrs. Powell. As the founders dismissed and came outside, she shouted to Ben Franklin, “Mr. Franklin, what do we have, a monarchy or a republic?” Ben Franklin, “A republic madam if you can keep it.” Another of the founders, John Adams said publicly, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” History is full of nations that are no longer existent in their glorious forms. Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome to use some of those the Bible speaks about.

II Chronicles 7:12-14 is a wonderful passage often used during various times of the year. The focus is usually on verse 14, but verse 12 and verse 13 set the stage for verse 14. We will look at four things in v.7:14 but I want you to remember the previous two verses. The Lord appears to Solomon and tells him, “I have heard thy prayer and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.” David desired for God to have a house, which He didn’t need, but the king thought He did. God wouldn’t let David build it but allowed Solomon. So, the Lord says, “I’ll allow this place to be a place of sacrifice.” The next sentence, v.13, God tells Solomon that “if” he himself chooses not to send rain or have the locusts devour the crops in the field or send diseases among the people, the nation has a choice to make. If they make the correct decision they will have protection. But for this protection correct decisions must be made. Both verse 13 and verse 14 begin with the word “if.”

The question could be rightfully asked, “Who is this passage written for?” It is for the nation of Israel, but I do not believe it is exclusively for Israel. Why? Multiple verses in the Bible speak of God blessing “all” that seek the Lord. That is certainly true of salvation and anyone who has one eye with a cataract can see God’s blessing on America. Let me cherry pick some passages for you today. Joel 2:32; Zephaniah 3:9; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13; and I Corinthians 1:2. I believe with every ounce of trust in my soul that God could and would restore our nation if we are willing to do certain things listed in this portion of II Chronicles.
1. Humility. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves…” Christians are called that title because they are followers of Jesus Christ. The Christian life is to one where stubbornness and rebellion are to be shunned. At one time in our nation’s history the overwhelming religion of the population was Christian of some stripe. Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence 55 claimed to be Christian.
2. Prayer. “…and pray, …” Types of prayers vary and many places in the Bible describe those. The key is that we are constantly approaching the throne of God begging the Lord to stay His judgment and give blessings.
3. Seek God. “…seek my face…” We are constantly looking for God and His ways in the decisions we make. Yesterday, we buried Bro. Darryl Wade. His older brother shared a story with me at the family meal. He and Darryl were talking to a financial advisor who advised them in a certain way. Darryl wasn’t sure about it and asked the man, “Do you have a Bible verse for that advice?” I thought, “What a wonder attitude to have about life.” He was wanting God to be in everything and so should we.
4. Repent. “…and turn from their wicked ways;” Think back on the quote from John Adams. Our type government is for a moral people. Without God, where does morality come from? If we aren’t any more than a blob of cells that have evolved from the primordial soup, how did we ever get a sense of right and wrong? God’s people need to repent for our lack of involvement in being salt and light in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation.

These four things, at least in my mind, aren’t steps where we do the first, then the second, etc. I think we are to begin doing them all at the same time, consistently, with them always in our minds. They should become a part of our existence. What would be the Lord’s response if America started to live like those four behaviors? He would hear those prayers, give us forgiveness, and heal our land.

We will turn 250 next year as a country. I say let’s begin living these four behaviors and perhaps the Lord will make America great again. We people don’t seem to be able to pull it off.