WHY THINGS ARE SO MISERABLE

 

Thursday, June 9, 2022

 

WHY THINGS ARE SO MISERABLE

2 Chron 7:12-14

12 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.

13 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;

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.

 

2 Kings 13:22-23

22 But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.

23 And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

 

          Please be tolerant of my prophetic attitude, this morning, but this needs to be said! Things are not good in our world. We all know this to be true and have decided to blame the wrong things. The blame belongs to us.

 

          God made a covenant with king Solomon. It was an “if this then that” promise. Several examples were given that would point to a dysfunctional nation. Weather events of a catastrophic nature, locusts, and plagues would all act as messengers to a people in need of revival. But God also would remember his relationship with His people.

 

          Political oppression was another messenger that would constantly shout the need to reconnect with God. In Second Kings, the oppression of the king of Syria was almost casually mentioned and the promise of a continued relationship with God was ended with the caveat “as yet.”

 

          John the Baptist did not begin his address to his congregants with “let’s stand and worship.” No, he began with the word REPENT. John’s land was full to belching with religion, but they had drifted from God. The caveat was “for the kingdom of heaven is AT HAND.” In other words, your actions have attracted the attention of an offended God and there will be consequences.

 

          Indeed, God is loving, kind, and longsuffering, but He will not long tolerate evil. Could our national troubles be due to our abandonment of God? I think so. More is needed than to simply pray. Included in God’s call is to “turn from our wicked ways.” That requires a change of heart and a resulting change in behavior. Then will He hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land.

 

Dear Jesus, our national misery measure is off the chart! Help us to repent and change. Please, heal our land. AMEN