MY PEOPLE
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “...if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV
Theme: Because Christians are now the people called by God’s Name, we have the responsibility of praying for and changing the tide of the nation.
PAST PEOPLE
Because Abraham was willing to seek God and then follow Him, God made a covenant with him. God then created a people, based on the promise that He would bless the entire world through Abraham’s descendants, of which Jesus is foremost. In the Old Testament, we know that the Israelites are set apart and chosen, but notably, they worshipped the “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” He is a personal God to only a few people. The others approach Him at a specific place and at a distance. Only a few individuals are anointed with the Spirit and hear from God. There is no widespread outpouring of the Spirit, so the people are led by the Law and by the few leaders who are anointed for a time or task.
CHOSEN PEOPLE
The whole time, God was making a way for the entire world to come to faith, for the Israelites to make His Name famous and draw others to God. Now, Jesus has thrown open salvation to all of us. Each person who chooses Him belongs to “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9a, ESV). Additionally, the Spirit resides in each believer, empowering and interpreting our prayers and petitions. We are the anointed leaders of our homes, cities, nations, and the world.
THE PROMISE
In today’s scripture, God has promised He will hear, heal, and forgive. But that is all conditional. It is dependent upon God’s people. Are we humble before God, or do we act entitled? We must repent, not only of the things we have done wrong, but the things we have left undone. Things like feeding the poor, caring for the prisoners, reaching the lost for Jesus. Are we remembering to confess and turn from these oversights and omissions? Finally, are we examining our thoughts and attitudes? Are they worldly and wicked, or are we striving for purity and godliness? Are we praying—hard—for revival and the Spirit of God to rise within His people? Are we petitioning Him for the healing of divisions, hurt, sin, and idolatry? We have a job to do. We are the people called by His Name, tasked with repentance. It starts with us.
Make It Personal: In what area do you feel convicted? Is it an attitude of entitlement instead of humility? Apathy instead of concern for the poor and marginalized? Are there specific sins of thought or action which you continue to hang on to without any desire of repentance? Is it a lack of prayerfulness for yourself, others, our nation, and the world? Start wherever God speaks to you...and pray. God is speaking to me, also.
Pray: Father, Thank You for all You have done for me. You are my God and there is none like You. I humbly bow before You, covered in the righteousness of Jesus alone, asking forgiveness, begging for healing and mercy. Lord, heal the divisions in our land, and the wickedness all around. Heal our earth of the damage we have done. Help us forgive not only our neighbors but let there be peace between nations.
Read: 2 Chronicles 6:13-15, 18-21, 40-42, 7:1-4, 11-15
Weekly Memory Verse: “...if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV