“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

Introduction:

The opening lines of the historic novel,”The Tale Of Two Cities,” are most revealing. Author Charles Dickens, wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

The paradoxical statements of the esteemed author were his view of circumstances surrounding the cities of London and Paris, leading up to the French Revolution.  He said, “It was the epoch of belief,(the age of belief), it was the epoch of incredulity.” (the age of the unbelievable). 

In view of the social unrest, turbulence and violence, we are presently experiencing nationally and internationally, those words written in 1859, might well be descriptive of our times. 

With large numbers of people filling our nations streets in protest of what they perceive to be social, racial or economic injustice; politicians, berating each other, without civility, giving rise to the fear our democracy is in jeopardy, and leading economists projecting the possibility of a fiscal and economic disaster, we can clearly see, “In times like these we need a “A rock, a fortress and a deliverer.” In times like these we need an anchor!”

In an atmosphere of turmoil, fear and uncertainty, the Church must lift its voice with a message of hope, peace, security and salvation. It is imperative we be “The shining city on a hill “ of which President Ronald Reagan spoke in his farewell address to the Nation. 

We must call upon men everywhere to lift their eyes above the tumult and join the Psalmist who said, “I will lift mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord.”(Psalm 121:1-2)

Like Queen Esther in the Old Testament, it is my sincere conviction, the Church fills an important role in these critical days, and we have, “Come to the Kingdom for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14)

We, who are the recipients of God’s Amazing Grace, have been called to be, “The light of the world.” We have been chosen to be custodians of the only true message that breaks the bondage of sin; gives peace where there is conflict; confidence where there is doubt; security where there is danger, and hope where there is despair. 

Our message is dramatically different from that of the world. It is not political or economical. It is, Jesus Christ, Who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”(John 24:6) He is, as one Pastor said, “The One, and only One, Who offers the world a foundation adequate enough to build a bright and beautiful future upon.” (Sermon Rev. Donald K. Funderburk)

Let there be no doubt, Jesus Christ, is the One, and only One, powerful enough to change the hearts and minds of men, alter the course of human history, and change the destiny of men and nations. 

The songwriter wrote with understanding when he penned the words. “What the world needs is Jesus, just a glimpse of Him; He will bring joy and gladness; take away sin and sadness; what the world needs is Jesus.” (Benjamin Baur: pub. domain)

We know from past experience, it is futile to look to the arm of flesh for a resolution to man’s dilemma. The Psalmist tells us, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” 

(Psalm 118:8)

In our darkest hours, our 

attention must be fixed upon Jesus, “The true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:9) 

It must be upon, “The author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

“The Right Hand of the Throne of God,” is used in Scripture as a metaphor for the omnipotence or power of God. 

We must realize, in Christ, Who sits where God’s Power is manifest, we, the Church, have access to the magnitude of God’s Power and Authority to meet the troubling challenges of our generation. 

It is no exaggeration to say, the world is in a crises, caused by rebellion and disobedience to God and exacerbated by a resistance to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 

It is therefore imperative the Church today, not lose sight of its Divinely Ordained Purpose or fail in fulfilling the mandate of Scripture to, “Shew forth the praises of Him, who hath called (us) you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1Peter 2:9)

Concession to the enemy by conforming to the world or retreating from the battle is not an option!  On our shoulder lays the Cross!It is our privilege and responsibility to faithfully carry it with its message of salvation, healing and hope. 

Those in spiritual leadership, i.e, Pastors, Teachers, Denominational Leaders, along with those in higher education who are responsible for the training of spiritual workers, must be Spirit anointed visionaries, courageously standing upon the fundamental principles of God’s Word while facing the ever increasing winds of compromise. 

The hour in which we live demands leaders who will guide the Church into greater spiritual depths and higher heights of Godliness! Helping it to discover, “What is that good, and acceptable, and perfect Will of God.”

(Romans 12:2)

This is a moment in history, when the Church must be visionary and aggressive in faith. We cannot remain silent, nor should our attention and efforts be diverted to matters such as, political wrangling; the pursuit of the latest religious fad, or the desire to be more socially acceptable than spiritually defined! 

Remember, Our calling and commission originated in the Heart and Mind of God. Our higher purpose is to fulfill His Divine Will. It is time to recognize, “We have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this!” 

From Old Testament history, we learn the Shofar or Ram’s Horn was a very important part of Jewish worship and tradition. It was blown at various times to gain the attention of the Jews.

One such blast of the shofar was called, teruah (ta-roo-ah) a loud blast calling men to awake from slumber; It was also a call to battle. 

The sound we hear from God today is the teruah; a call to awaken and engage in spiritual warfare against an enemy that comes against us from the denizens of gross darkness,“To steal, kill and destroy.” (John 10:10)

In view of the challenge confronting us, our Mission Statement and highest priorities must include, a strong emphasis on Intercessory prayer, Anointed, Bible based teaching, the Infilling and Empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and World Evangelism. 

The Church cannot allow the world “To squeeze (it) into its own mold,” (J.B. Phillips).  We cannot permit the unbelieving world to set our agenda, shape our message or decide how we should conduct our worship and affairs.

Paul reminds us, “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

(1 Corinthians 2:14)

“In times like these,” there are things we must do, if we are to counteract the sin and violence so prominent in our world, and advance the cause of Jesus Christ. 

Throughout their history, the Children of Israel had been found rebellious to the Law of God. They often suffered the consequences of their disobedience. 

In our text in (2 Chronicles 7:14), we hear God speaking to them, giving them a way out of their darkness. He says, “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.”

The Call of God to ancient Israel is His Call to our generation. If we will heed and obey we will see a dramatic change in our world. 

(1) First, In Turbulent Times, We Must Remember Who We Are: 

In the oft quoted text, God refers to believers as, “My People, who are called by My Name.”  We must understand, the Believers identity is established by our relationship to God through Jesus Christ. 

Speaking of Jesus, John tells us in his gospel, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.” (John 1:12)

It is vital we never lose sight of our true identity! God, who spoke the universe into existence, is our God. We are His people. 

Contrary to the view held by some in society, the Church is not some ‘rag tag’ crowd, whose thinking and lifestyle is outside the margins of society, or who depends upon religious faith as a psychological crutch, because they lack the fortitude to face the reality and challenges of life. 

We are far from that! God’s Word describes us as a “Chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people,(1Peter 2:9). 

Unlike the world about us, we are guided by the established Plan and guidance of God, not the vacillating ideas and values of man. We are a people of power and purpose. Our power and authority is described in (1 John 4:4) “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Our Purpose is clearly indicated in (2Timothy 2:9), where Paul writes, God, “Hath saved us and called us with a high and holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

(2 Timothy 1:9)

Hear the challenge of the great hymn: “Rise up O men of God! Have done with lesser things; Give heart and soul and mind and strength to serve the King of Kings. Rise up O men of God! The Church for you doth wait-

Your strength unequal to the task, but Christ in you is great! (Rise Up O Men Of God: William P. Merrill: pub. domain). 

Only those who deliberately close their eyes to reality, would deny our nation and the world is in desperate need of a spiritual revival that will bring about a cleansing from sin and a peace to overcome contempt and strife. 

Now, comes the Word of God with that which is needed to meet the challenges of this generation. It is vital the Church heeds the Voice of God and obediently follows His direction. 

He said, “If My people who are called by My Name(that’s us), shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

(2 Chronicles 7:14)

(2) “In times like these,” the first step for believers toward spiritual healing is to, “Humble Themselves.”

The Humility of which the writer speaks, is a recognition, that man, no matter how bright and ingenious, is incapable of mediating the strife or cleansing the morass of sin afflicting man. Only the Power that created heaven and earth is sufficient to re-create man! 

True humility is knowing, who we are and who we are not. It is knowing, what we can do and what we cannot do. C.S. Lewis, wrote, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” 

The humility spoken of in the text, is the recognition that, God is the only true solution to rampant immorality and widespread unrest. Only, until the hearts of men are touched by the Power of God will there be a change.

The term, “Humble” as is used in our text is defined in both the Hebrew and Greek, to mean, “to bring low; to empty oneself of carnal ego; to dismiss reliance upon self and being fully dependent upon the Lord. 

That goes hand in hand with the admonition of the writer in Proverbs who said, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge (recognize) Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

“In Times Like These,” we must lay human ego aside and bow humbly before God praying, “Wherefore thou art Great, O Lord God: for there is none like Thee, neither is there any God beside Thee.” (2 Samuel 7:22)

(3) “In Times Like These,” God says we, “Must Pray and Seek (His) my Face:”

As a young boy, I recall a plaque hanging on the wall in our home that read, “Prayer Changes Things.” 

D.L. Moody, the great revivalist and Pastor of Chicago’s Moody Church and Moody Bible Institute, wrote, “Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”

Going to Church, I often heard my Pastor and others in the Body of Christ refer to words from the epistle of James. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James  5:16)

This is a moment in history when the altar of prayer must be returned to a place of prominence in our personal life and in our public worship. The inhumanity and depravity we witness on a regular basis demands we get on our knees and call upon God to intervene in the affairs of man. “Prayer Changes Things!“ “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availethmuch!”

CLOSING:

(4) The promise from God to us is, “I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

The Word from God to the Church comes from Jesus, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth,”(Mark 9:23)

There can be a spiritual revival that will ‘heal our land;’ a mighty move of the Holy Spirit that will bring light, life and liberty to our nation. We cannot despair and concede to the enemy!  “Now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

“Rise up O men of God! The Church for you doth wait—-Your strength unequaled to the task, but Christ in you is great!” With the Anointing of the Holy Spirit we can make a difference! “In Times Like These,” We have an anchor! That anchor is Jesus Christ!