I woke up this morning with this scripture churning around in my mind (perfect for the day of the AFL Footy Grand Final?) :
“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.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
A promise made to people long ago when there is a famine in their land or when grasshoppers are destroying crops. Today, here in Australia, we have a famine and we have a scourge that is affecting our land, it just looks different.
Drugs, violence, crime, suicide, divorce, adultery, workaholism, greed – in epidemic proportions. Wrecked lives, the root of all of it the exact same – selfishness, greed and sin.
The answer, personally and nationally, lies in our relationship with God. 1God is promising to heal Israel during the time of the temple, not Australia, not America, not the neighbours cat (He can but this is not a promise!) – but there is a principle at play that can be seen when people repent individually or even nationally and turn to God, where God does dramatic things.
National eg: Rehoboam (2 Chr 12:6), Hezekiah (2 Chr 32:26), Manasseh (2 Chr 33:12), Nineveh, Jonah ect.
Personal transformations can be seen from the beginning of history all the way through to today. They are many – I would include myself in this group, for no good or work of my own, God opened my eyes and changed me. Dramatically. But what now?
Are we, as Christians, me, am I – seeking God first – above all else – for myself, for my family, for this nation? Or are there other things that if I am honest, I like, love or even serve, more? ^1
A relationship that is only possible because of (and depends wholly on), Jesus’ death on the cross.
Not a religion that can be performed (the rules are too strict, the standard too high), nor a belief system that can be summoned up (the claims too outrageous) but the reality of which can not be denied.
This body of believers is as diverse as their reach is across the globe. Not contained within any denomination, let alone 4 feeble walls, these people go through amazing trials, persecution and hardship willingly and live selfless lives. Often willing to die without violence for their beliefs or the good of others. And they don’t take credit for they work but claim it a result of their God.
Not just a ‘god’ of people’s understanding: a tamed sky fairy who gives nice things if they pray / perform, or a distant tyrant who punishes innocent children allowing terrible suffering or some mystical force wrapped up in nature – but a real, tangible being with a specific personality.
This being, the One true God who created everything (unbelievably powerful), is perfect in everything (unimaginably holy), knows everything (including our thoughts) and has great, just, anger at all sin and abuse. He will judge everyone. You and me included.
Being holy in nature, having a precise standard of perfection and knowing our thoughts and actions is a recipe for disaster.
It could be said that He has every right to punish, torture or even destroy us.
Everything we think and do is against Him: we blame Him for the bad and ignore Him with the good. We have violated His law repeatedly (lying, stealing, lusting/adultery, hating/murder, blaspheming/misusing God’s name, dishonouring parents, idolising) but still think we are good 2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Proverbs 16:2 ^2 – we deserve His wrath.
But this God, who has revealed Himself in many ways throughout history, has shown over and over that His very nature, the core of who He is, is love.
Not the ‘love’ we are used to: cheap thrills, selfish fulfilment, or tit for tat conditional withholding, but genuine, one-way, unconditional, will do anything for your good love. Known in the Bible as agape it is what looked at us in our weak, sinful and rebellious state and said “I love you, I will send My Son to die in your place”.
While many looked on at Jesus’ dying, tortured, bloody body they truly thought this rebel had been stopped for good. Other look at see a moral teacher or religious leader, God looked away – for the first time He and His Son were separated by sin – your sin and my sin.
We look & we see weakness, but in that moment, the final battle of the spiritual war was won. 3In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:15 ^3
What love is this? The King of the universe dying for the people He created that neglected, blamed, hated and denied Him? Making it not only possible for them to be forgiven and have life – but adopting them into His very family as sons. Heaven as they say, but it is only so because of who is there – God. Not a place of world lusts & passion, but a place of perfect union with the Creator.
Yahweh, the great I AM, the Holy One of Israel, El Shaddai, the Father of creation – He has made a way for you to have life, true life, life that lasts forever. With Him.
It starts now.
Now THAT is Grand! Is it Final?
Conclusion:
The grand final has already taken place – we know the outcome…
The procession is yet to come and the celebration? It lasts FOREVER!
With Him, the Father of all, in complete and perfect unity.
PRAYER: Lord, open our eyes. May You show us truth and reveal Yourself to us so that we are not deceived, that we could see Your Son and what He did in new light. May we see what is important to You and do the deeds that You want. May You plant eternity in our hearts so that we work for You and not ourselves.
NOTES: I
^1 – God is promising to heal Israel during the time of the temple, not Australia, not America, not the neighbours cat (He can but this is not a promise!) – but there is a principle at play that can be seen when people repent individually or even nationally and turn to God, where God does dramatic things.
National eg: Rehoboam (2 Chr 12:6), Hezekiah (2 Chr 32:26), Manasseh (2 Chr 33:12), Nineveh, Jonah ect.
Personal transformations can be seen from the beginning of history all the way through to today. They are many – I would include myself in this group, for no good or work of my own, God opened my eyes and changed me. Dramatically. But what now?
Are we, as Christians, me, am I – seeking God first – above all else – for myself, for my family, for this nation? Or are there other things that if I am honest, I like, love or even serve, more?
^2 – People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Proverbs 16:2
^3 – In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:15
Footnotes:
- 1God is promising to heal Israel during the time of the temple, not Australia, not America, not the neighbours cat (He can but this is not a promise!) – but there is a principle at play that can be seen when people repent individually or even nationally and turn to God, where God does dramatic things.
National eg: Rehoboam (2 Chr 12:6), Hezekiah (2 Chr 32:26), Manasseh (2 Chr 33:12), Nineveh, Jonah ect.
Personal transformations can be seen from the beginning of history all the way through to today. They are many – I would include myself in this group, for no good or work of my own, God opened my eyes and changed me. Dramatically. But what now?
Are we, as Christians, me, am I – seeking God first – above all else – for myself, for my family, for this nation? Or are there other things that if I am honest, I like, love or even serve, more? - 2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Proverbs 16:2
- 3In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:15