Sermon 170

📖 Sermon 170 — II Chronicles 7:14

Date: Not listed
Text: II Chronicles 7:14
Preacher: G. S. Kok

INTRODUCTION

Christians are first of all and above all citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. In a very true sense they are only pilgrims and strangers on earth, and they are not of the world although they are in the world. This might cause Christians to become indifferent with regard to the affairs of the world, and some might conclude that they have no responsibilities as far as the world and the nation are concerned.
This is however incorrect. The Christian has obligations and responsibilities also as a citizen of his country. In time of war, the Christian must do his part against the enemy as well as others. However, the Christian has also a very special calling; he cannot be just another citizen.
Not only do Christians have obligations — they also have tremendous power at their disposal. The power upon which they can call is far greater than the power of the atom or hydrogen bomb. It is the power of God Himself.
God’s people can call upon God to help their nation. Christians in this country may call upon God’s power to help us in the war which has broken out in Korea.
Someone may say: Of course we can call on God; sure, we can call on South America and China for help too, but that doesn’t mean we shall have their aid. Thus people may call on God for help, but that does not mean that God will help.
Yet if you read our text — which is nothing less than God’s own Word — you read a definite promise of help in answer to prayer, and God does not lie. When He makes a promise, you can be absolutely certain He will not go back on His Word.
Notice, however, that God stipulates certain conditions. There is an if in the promise.
The first requirement which God makes is: If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves…
That is a very important condition.
God will not hear the petitions of the proud and haughty. They are far from Him, and their prayer does not please Him.
We must humble ourselves first.
This implies that even God’s people are inclined to become proud, self-righteous, good in their own eyes. In that condition they have no right to expect God to hear their prayers.
We as Christians, who call ourselves children of God, must humble ourselves.
We must get rid of the spirit of self-sufficiency.
We must see that we deserve no help from God at all.
We must realize that the troubles we are in are punishments from God, and that they are truly deserved.
God has just reasons for forsaking us and for bringing us into danger.
We must humbly confess our sins.
Then, out of a humble heart, we must pray and seek God’s face.
God insists on prayer, and again and again we learn that God’s help can be expected only when He has been called upon. If people will not pray, they have no reason whatsoever to expect God’s help — but every reason to expect His punishment.
This means that our calling as Christians in this time of crisis is to call on God in prayer.
We must humble ourselves, and we must pray.
We must pray earnestly.
We must pray for God’s help to oppose the enemies of true freedom.
We must pray for victory over enemies who threaten not only our national existence but also our spiritual life.

…and turn from their wicked ways.
This too is a condition.
The implication is that the nation’s troubles are due to her wickedness, and prayer for help will not be heard until the people repent of their sins.
Do we need to turn from our wicked ways?
We are known — and wish to be known — as a Christian nation. But are we?
Is it not obvious that we too have become wicked?
Have we not forgotten God, and given ourselves over to a life of pleasure?
Are we not becoming more and more materialistic, setting our hearts upon things we can eat and drink and wear?
Many of us are still members of a church.
But are we living members?
Do we truly glorify God in all of life?
Or is our religion mere formality?
Truly we have gone far upon the way of sin.
God is not feared.
His Word is not held in honor.
His law is recklessly violated.
Vice, drunkenness, and sexual immorality abound.
We indeed need to repent.

Then — and only then — the promise:
I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
If we meet these conditions, we can be certain of God’s help.
He is willing to help.
Israel’s history shows this:
Whenever they got into trouble of any kind, and called upon God out of humble hearts, God helped them wonderfully.
And God has not changed.