2 Chronicles 7:14
“If My people who are called by My name will 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.”

The bible clearly teaches God is just, and will one day judge each nation for its wickedness. The farther a nation strays from the ways of God, the weaker it becomes, and the closer it gets to its final hour. This was true of Israel, Judah, and the surrounding nations; and remains true today. One cannot read the pages of God’s Word and not conclude, there will come a time for judgment for those who turn their back on God. That being said, it is also true, God does not take pleasure in judgment, but delights in extending mercy. It is His desire to pardon and restore. To that end, a promise is given to Solomon which remains true today. This promise is directed at the child of God, for the purpose of forgiveness and restoration.

Notice this promise is conditional, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, . . .” The present condition of our nation is calling us, not to rise in judgment of those who are following the course of the world, but to fall on our knees in intercessory prayer. A church full of men and women who will bow before the Lord, and cry out for the salvation of souls, will have a tremendous impact upon the world, no matter how dark it has become.

We are also called to turn from our own sin and seek the Lord. I once read a book on the history of revival. The purpose was not only to remind the reader of what God did in the past, but to stir up a future work of God on earth. The author wrote, if we want to see a revival begin in our community, then spread to impact our nation, we should start by drawing a circle on the ground, kneeling within the circle, and praying for God to begin the revival there. Too many Christians are outraged by the sins around them, without giving any conscious thought to the sins within them.

God wants to forgive and restore, but He wants to do it through the lives of those who have chosen to follow Him. Will you rise to the challenge by falling on your knees? Are you willing to remove sin from your own life, and seek God to work in the lives of others? Our nation is on the edge of a cliff; it is time for the children of God to take Him seriously and seek His face.

Pastor Jim

Psalm 133:1
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

The psalmist is calling us to action. He desperately wants our attention, and calls us to look at the brethren dwelling together in unity. The unity he was speaking of was a united desire to seek after and worship Jehovah. This Psalm was one of the many songs the travelers to Jerusalem would sing as they made their way up the mountain to celebrate the feasts of the Lord. People from all over Israel congregated together with the unified purpose of devoting themselves more wholeheartedly to the Lord. The Psalmist declares, it is a good and pleasant thing, something worthy of our attention. This uniting of the brethren is good and pleasant for many reasons; not the least of which is the result it brings. David declares, it is like the anointing oil that was poured out upon the priests.

Shortly after being delivered from Egypt, God established the worship practices for the congregation of Israel. In order to ensure their spiritual development, He set up the descendants of Aaron as the priesthood. They would be responsible for much of the labor involved in making the corporate worship possible. The priests were clothed in special garments (a picture of being clothed in righteousness), then the sacrificial blood of the lamb was placed upon them for cleansing, and finally the anointing oil was poured on them. The blood serves as a type of Christ being crucified for the cleansing of our sin, and the oil a type of the Spirit of God, poured upon us, and equipping us for service. David describes the oil being poured on Aaron’s head and dripping down upon his beard and garments. It is a picture of the flowing of the Spirit upon those who have gathered together.

There is something special, something holy and divine, when we gather for corporate worship. Paul spoke of the body ministering to itself in love. As each of us are filled with the Spirit of God, and gather to seek the face of God, an atmosphere develops where the Spirit is flowing. How many times have you been met by God in the midst of worship? It is because the anointing oil is running off the beard of the worship leader. How many times have you been ministered to after service while speaking with another, and they begin to share things with you that encourage, edify and challenge you? It is because the oil is dripping from their beard. How many times have you been sitting in the service and felt as though the pastor was speaking directly to you? It almost seems as though the room has emptied and you are alone, hearing directly from God’s Word. It is because the oil is dripping from his beard. It is possible for the oil to drip from yours as well. When you gather next with the saints, don’t come simply to receive, come ready to give. As you walk into the fellowship, be praying that God will bring you face to face with someone to whom you will be able to minister. Few things are more exciting than knowing the Spirit of God has worked through you in the life of another.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 133
   1. What does God say about dwelling in unity?
2. How does he describe it in verse 2?

Old Testament:
Psalm 134- Bless The Lord
2 Chronicles 7- Our Nation

Psalms 131:1
“Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me.”

As this short psalm begins to unfold, David celebrates the condition of his heart. He is rejoicing that his heart is not haughty nor his eyes lofty. In other words he does not have an exalted view of himself. There is no indication within the psalm as to when it was composed. If it was written early on, David was a talented young man who was gifted as a musician and a shepherd. His musical talents had landed him a position as the private worship leader for the king. If it was written a little later, David had proved himself a valiant warrior and was in command of Israel’s forces and was the object of the attention of the young maidens in the land. If it was written in a later season, David had become king of the nation and brought Israel to the height of their success. Yet in all of his success he was careful not to become haughty or to have an exalted view of himself. It seems that David always saw himself as that young shepherd boy who sat among the sheep and fixed his eyes upon the Lord.

We live the age of self promotion. We do not need a press agent because we all have access to social media. Many of us spend hours each day coming up with just the right post for Facebook or image for Instagram. We want everyone to think we are the most creative parent, with the most talented children who go on the most imaginative vacations and accomplish the most extraordinary things. We are often guilty of not only have a lofty opinion of ourselves but wanting to make sure that everyone else has that same opinion. Perhaps it would do us good to consider how God views pride and humility.

Proverbs 3:34 “Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5 “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

In the kingdom of God self exaltation is never the road the to take. If we want to experience the grace of God it is found by taking the low place and exalting the Lord and others.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 131

1. According to verse 1 David writes about being content. What does he say about his heart and eyes?
2. In verse 2 do you ever remember a time in your adult life where your soul felt like a weaned child with his mother? Rest, stay still and hear his voice.

Old Testament:
Psalm 132- Priorities
2 Chronicles 6- The Cross