“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.”
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 NLT
After Solomon had finished the temple and the palace he had planned to build, the Lord appeared to him saying that He would accept sacrifices in that temple. However, along with telling Solomon of His approval concerning his work, the Lord indicated that there would be times that they would be punished because of their evil ways.
“Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.”
2 Chronicles 7:12-13 NLT
In our opening scripture the Lord gave the prescription for what the people needed to do when they saw that their country was being punished because of sin.
As the Lord continued speaking to Solomon He also said what would happen if he or his descendants turned away from the Lord and did not repent.
““But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the decrees and commands I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, then I will uproot the people from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make it an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled. They will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’ “And the answer will be, ‘Because his people abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to them. That is why he has brought all these disasters on them.’””
2 Chronicles 7:19-22 NLT
With this in mind, is it any surprise to you that the United States has been experiencing seasons of trouble, chaos, and unrest?
Is it any wonder that the symbol of our economic preeminence in the world (the World Trade Center) was reduced to mountains of rubble by a terrorist attack in 2001?
Were you aware that the bridge in Baltimore that was destroyed in the wee hours of March 26 of this year, was named after Francis Scott Key, the author of the poem from which our “Star-Spangled Banner” was written?
The United States, though experiencing these, along with many other warnings (e.g., being part of a global pandemic, racial unrest and a questionable election, all happening in 2020), continues on a slide toward darkness.
Of course, it would be easy to have a sense of helplessness or hopelessness concerning the future of our country.
Additionally, that sense of despair can be augmented by the fact that we are operating, to a great extent, in denial concerning what is actually going on.
Friend, our country is in trouble! We have fallen far from our source of life and peace, the Lord Jesus Christ. The absolute only hope we have is to throw ourselves on the mercy of our God and King. Who knows but what He will yet one more time delay further destruction. And even if it be too late for that, we can be sure He will show mercy to the penitent souls.
“Then the glory of the God of Israel rose up from between the cherubim, where it had rested, and moved to the entrance of the Temple. And the Lord called to the man dressed in linen who was carrying the writer’s case. He said to him, “Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all who weep and sigh because of the detestable sins being committed in their city.” Then I heard the Lord say to the other men, “Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity!”
Ezekiel 9:3-5 NLT
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
““Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
Revelation 3:20 NLT
Sometimes we think of Jesus knocking at the door of our heart as only applying to receiving Him as Savior and Lord of our lives. But the fact is, our opening scripture gives the words of Jesus to a church!
““Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”
Revelation 3:14-19 NLT
Yes, Jesus is knocking on the door of the hearts of the people of the Laodicean church. They had apparently fallen from their steadfastness and had became too mixed with the world to be distinguishable from it.
Additionally, this message was not just for the Laodicean church, but for all the churches, as we see in what Jesus went on to say:
“Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.””
Revelation 3:21-22 NLT
In order to maintain an ongoing relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we must continue to listen for His knock.
Perhaps there are times when we’ve looked away from Him, as did the church at Laodicea. Yes, times when we fall into error, or maybe become “too busy” to seek Him. At these times the Lord will—through His Holy Spirit—knock on the door of our hearts. But make no mistake, He doesn’t stand there pounding and screaming and making a scene. His is a gentle voice, that failing to hear, can lead to great calamity and trouble that will get our attention.
Let us take time each day to make sure that we are listening closely enough to His spirit that we will know if He has somehow been closed out of some area, some decision, or some aspect of our life! Failing to do so can have calamitous results.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
Updated: Sep 26
“No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Matthew 5:15-16 NLT
Most Christians would agree on the importance of personal evangelism. But, whether they do it or not, is another consideration. However, evangelism—in terms of a spoken testimony—is not what is being addressed for today.
Today we are reflecting on the times we have failed to do good, when we could’ve done good. And, as we see in our opening scripture, doing that good work could have brought glory to our Heavenly Father.
Now, of course we don’t do good deeds to be seen of men. As a matter of fact, doing so, robs our reward from the Lord.
““Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.”
Matthew 6:1-2 NLT
We must do good works because our Lord has commanded that we do good works. Yes! We do good works in His name (as a conduit of His goodness), under His authority (as an act of obedient service), and for His glory (as reflections of His goodness and kindness).
The simplest gesture of kindness, the smallest act of mercy or goodness, can help light the way to the One Who is good.
Let’s repent for failing to reflect the goodness of God and more earnestly look for ways in which we can do good. In so doing, we can be part of bringing the light of God into a dark world by lighting the corner where we are.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!