IF MY PEOPLE ......
By W. G. Guy
Back in the early 1970’s a Christian group formed and organization called INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA. This organization was formed to promote prayer for this nation as it was in an obvious moral and spiritual decline. The key scripture they used was 2 Chronicles 7:14 as the call to prayer and to intercede for America.
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.
This effort to get the church to pray for the nation was more than fifty years ago, and the moral and spiritual conditions in this nation has only gotten worse, very much worse, since then. Back then we had abortion, in addition to prayer and Bible reading eliminated from our public schools. But at that time we did not have the promotion of same sex marriage, homosexuality, transgenderism and the “woke” phenomenon, as well as all the other forms of corruption and violence that we have today.
Thus America is on the precipice of the judgment of God who loathes the pathway this nation is on. Our moral decline is such that our nation’s sin will bring on its own consequences that result from corruption and moral decay. This is in addition to God bringing His chastising punishment to correct our errant behavior and practices that have been endorsed by our corrupt government and corporate leadership. The problem is that the churches and their preachers are not addressing the moral depravity in this nation’s leadership; (including much church leadership).
We need to take a closer look at the scripture listed above; why it was given, and what it is that God requires of us. Solomon had just completed building the new Temple, The House of God, in Jerusalem and dedicated it to the LORD. God spoke to Solomon saying that He accepted this building and would preserve it to dwell there; but God put a condition on His presence abiding there. That condition was that they would continue in obedience to Him and His commandments, to follow them, thus honoring God. If they turned away from God and followed their own selfish ways, worshipped things or idols other than God, that He would deny them the blessings promised, and would allow oppressing conditions to prevail upon them.
2 Chronicles 7:12-13 – And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
Then God added that which is recorded in verse 14 as a condition with the big word “IF”; if they fail to follow Him, then they will face the consequences. But -
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.
Two hundred and forty eight years ago the government of America was founded in New York City, with George Washington being elected as President. He and the members of the new congress then marched to a chapel where they prayed and dedicated this new nation to the LORD. This chapel is still standing miraculously, because it is located at ground zero where the twin towers were attacked and collapsed in 2001.
Since this nation was dedicated to the LORD by our Founding Fathers, God took it unto Himself, much like He took Israel to Himself. Therefore, the Word of the Lord given in 2 Chronicles should seriously be considered to apply to America also. So let’s consider in more detail what is recorded in the above scripture.
“If my people” obviously refers to the people that claim to be God’s Holy People, which are the ones that Jesus died for and redeemed to become God’s children – the true Church of Jesus Christ. These are the ones that are called by His name.
They are to “humble themselves”, which means to submit themselves in complete subjection to His will and direction; admitting that we are in the wrong and that He is right. “And pray”, means to earnestly and fervently pray to God for His forgiveness for our sin, disobedience and self-indulgence in defying His Word, and allowing the perversity of the world to infiltrate and subvert the church into engaging in what is contrary to God and His Word.
“And seek My face” means to dwell with Him and look to God for guidance and direction; not look to man, government or any other source for direction; but to fellowship with Him in loving adoration and worship.
“And turn from their wicked ways” means to REPENT and stop their sinful behavior and practices; which much of the church has engaged in without even taking notice or being aware of this fact: (the church acts more like the world than the holy and separated children of God). Our “wicked ways” are sins against God that must be forgiven if God is to be able to guide and direct us rather than our sinful flesh and material pursuits. REPENTANCE is required.
“Repent and return to God” is the main message and work of the prophets. However, much of the church today has rejected the message and the ministry of the prophets; and this needs to be repented of also.
“Then will I hear from heaven” means God will acknowledge, from His throne, our repentance and prayer request to relive us of our oppression and conflict: “He will forgive their sin” which removes the barriers of the oppression from off of us and restores our fellowship with Him unhindered. “And will heal their land”; which is exactly what America needs today, more than ever.
Failure to do this means that America will continue in the path of moral and spiritual depravity and go into complete destruction. We are almost there now as the nation that I was born and raised in has ceased to exist. Our Constitutional Republic has been exchanged for a sinful and criminal controlled oligarchy with no moral or godly discernment or relevance; having rejected God and His Word as our source of guidance.
God is merciful and gracious, willing and eager to forgive, if only we truly repent, seek His face and pray fervently, He is willing to hear and heal our land and its people. But it is incumbent on we, His people, the true church, to humble ourselves, ask for His forgiveness and truly repent:” then HE will heal our land and restore us as a godly nation that we once were; (before we allowed the wicked to take control of our government).
Biblical history shows that God prefers repentance over judgmental destruction. This is recorded in the story of Jonah and his prophecy over Nineveh. Jonah announced destruction on Nineveh due to their wickedness and sin but they repented, from the king on down to the lowest person. God saw their repentance and held back the judgment until the next generation, seventy years later that turned back to wickedness.
The needed change in America’s direction is the church’s and preacher’s responsibility! God loves repentance and is eager to forgive because His mercy endures forever!