God in the midst of Our National Crisis

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Home service details on 26th April 2020

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Text: 2 Chronicles 7:11-14

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Context: Solomon’s temple had just been completed

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• 20 years of work, ½ a generation

• 2Chronicles 7:1-3. Fire had come down from heaven and God’s glory filled the temple

• No one could enter.

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I Introduction: One critical word in Vs 13-14: “IF”

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• When: there is no rain; locusts devour the land; a plague comes in the land.

• Note that it is not a matter of if but when! These things will happen, a consequence of our sinfulness and disobedience.

• Note that these 3 events are happening in our country and the world today: A drought is about to be declared in Auckland (Amos 4:7-8); locusts are right now devastating West Africa ( Kenya, Uganda, Sudan etc), and corona virus has become a worldwide plague.

• If my people: It is God’s people being addressed here, not unbelievers.

• The outcome of the crisis depends on the response of God’s people, not politicians.

• Then I will hear. God will act.

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II Three Key Actions Required of God’s People. Vs 14

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1 Humble ourselves

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• Pride the original sin of Satan, superbly camouflaged and not quickly seen.

• We all have pride. It is a question not of if I have pride but of how much pride.

• Indicators of pride: we find it hard to apologize and admit wrong, we compare ourselves to others positively or negatively, we feel entitled to certain privileges, we feel superior to others in our intellect, our creativeness, our position, our race/colour, our strength or beauty.

• Actions required in addressing our pride.1 Peter: 5:5. Clothe yourselves with humility- a definite action is required just like getting dressed in the morning.

• 1 Peter 5:6. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God”, under the difficult situations of our lives, in difficult relationships.

• Prayer: Let us confess now our pride to God.

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2. “Pray and seek my face”

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• God’s face is the same as God’s presence which is God’s Spirit.( Psalm 139:7) Have you found God’s Spirit in your life lately? We are to seek Him and find his presence. What is God’s Spirit saying to you?

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3. “Turn from their wicked ways”.

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• The word turn is the Hebrew word Shub meaning to turn back. We turn back to God the Father just like the prodigal son. Luke 15.

• What behaviour, thoughts attitudes about people do I need to turn back from? Sin is always relational and affects our relationships.

• Prayer: let us confess and turn from these actions and attitudes that break our relationships with people.

 

III Three Promises

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1 “I will hear” Prayer is primarily relational not transitional ( Lectio 365, 24/7 prayer)

2 “I will forgive”: Sanctification for the church and salvation for the lost.

• Let us pray the Lord of the Harvest to bring in harvesters to bring in the harvest. Matthew 9:38

3. “I will heal their land.”

• Let us pray for deliverance from the Corona virus for our loved ones and for their salvation.

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God bless as we continue to press in for His victory!!

Robert