Good Morning, Meetpastordan Readers…On my pre-dawn walk today with Cliff and Glenn, our poochies, I was greeted through my headset with the news that Governor Mike Parson finally initiated a “stay at home” message. I believe he was one of the last hold outs to do that, even though – as I heard it – most people were volunteering as a precautionary measure, but this just makes it official. Hopefully that will help a few more people meet the responsibility of being cautious. Be that as it may, we will weather this storm if we stay connected to, and rely on, our source of courage, strength and wisdom.
I am going to do something different today. I am going to include a link at the end of my message that I strongly encourage you watch. Talk about hope, encouragement, and light in the darkness…this is IT. I have referenced before pastor Ron Tucker from Grace Church – St. Louis, and that I believe he is particularly anointed for these troubling times. Week after week he hits the ball out of the park, but yesterday’s message on the Gospel of Grace is by far the clearest, most profound presentation I have ever heard. What message could have more impact on a fallen world than this message of hope and salvation.
It seems that for the past few years there has been a renewed battle cry based on 2 Chronicles 7:14, and rightly so. It is certainly appropriate for these times. But before we turn to verse 14, I want to take time to set up that verse. King Solomon finished the task of building the Temple of the Lord, which housed the Arc of the covenant. Throughout this process, Solomon prayed to the Lord asking for His guidance, and for His continued blessings on the people, even if they sinned. Verse 12-15 is the Lord’s response: “I have heard your prayers and have chosen this Temple to be the place for making sacrifices.” But concerning the matter of people sinning, He divulged the likely consequences of their actions: “At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or I might command locusts to devour your crops, or I might send plagues among you.”
Throughout the Old Testament are numerous examples of the Israelites falling out of favor with God because of their doubt, their fear, their debauchery, or their idol worship. Following these events, we find His response to their madness. He is very specific about His intended punishment, and many times it is particularly graphic and brutal. (If you want a first hand view, I will direct you to Jeremiah 15) But the good news can always be found in the midst of His rant, such as in Jeremiah 15:19, 21: “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men. I will rescue you from their cruel hands.” In other words, God always prefers mercy over punishment.
We find the same situation in 2 Chronicles 7:13 above. Sin can never be ignored. If people are abounding in sin, God can, and will, use circumstances to get our attention. He lists three ways in verse 13: a drought, an insect infestation, or a plague (or virus) to put the focus on our own insufficiency. He wants to be our shield and our protector, but if we choose to be disobedient to His ways, He will withdraw those blessings. That is why verse 14 has become so popular lately. It is THE answer to our culture’s current malaise. “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 heal their land.” He goes on to say that He will hear every prayer offered up. This is the example of His mercy trumping His punishment!
The age-old proclamation throughout the Bible is, “Repent! Turn from your Sin and turn to God.” Jonah used that message when he visited Nineveh; John the Baptist used it when he was baptizing in the Jordan River; Jesus proclaimed that message, and in more recent times, so did Billy Graham. Therefore, that same message is blatantly obvious for TODAY’S culture. If we (Christians, and all who hope-to-be Christians) will come humbly before the Lord with a commitment to change our ways, He will hear our prayer, and He will heal our land. How awesome is that? Remember, our great country was dedicated to God on the evening after George Washington’s inauguration, so it is up to us, as a culture, to return to our original commitment to Him.
Unfortunately,the spiritual and moral chasm that exists between us and God can only be remedied by us. That is why the truth found in this message about God, and His love, mercy and grace, is so timely and so vitally important. Go to http://gracestl.org/ and please, please listen to yesterday’s sermon. BE SURE IT IS 4/5/2020. You can also find it on Grace Church’s FB page. Let me know your thoughts.
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May God Bless You abundantly
Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
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