Dear Trekker,
If there is one Scriptural promise or concept that emerges repeatedly in conversation among believers concerning the future of the United States, surely it is II 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 way, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Is this America’s best and last hope? Contextually, the passage clearly applies to the nation of Israel, occurs in reference to the building of the temple and relates to King Solomon’s leadership. Perhaps further quotations might help. Verses 19-20 say: “But if you (Solomon) turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land which I have given them, and will reject the temple I have consecrated for my name. I will make it a byword and object of ridicule among all peoples.” Did this happen to Israel? Well, yes, sadly, it did.
Is the future of the United States synonymous with the fate of Israel? Well, of course not precisely! Or, has the visible Church today replaced Israel as the recipient of God’s covenants? Well, that too is a stretch, one that I personally don’t accept. Though the Church today is the “true” Israel in that God has redeemed His people once and for all, Jews and Gentiles alike, God’s covenants in the Old Testament are superseded by His grace revealed in the New. So OT covenants apply to neither the church universal nor to the USA in the explicit sense that they applied to the Hebrew nation.
In fact, use of OT promises are always restricted, contextually and historically. Theologians call it the continuity/discontinuity” dilemma. Some heartily sing “Father Abraham had many sons… and I am one of them and so are you.” This is true continuity, particularly found in the writings of St. Paul, the premier NT theologian. Another “continuity passage” is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” But… contextually, this applies to the nation of Israel coming out of exile. Verses 12-14 make this clear.
Well Jim, what is the point? Good question! Let us not throw the baby out with the bath water! Though all of what the Israelites endured in their rebellion and turning away from God to other gods were historical occurrences, the principles of God’s promises can be seen to be repeated again and again throughout history as God blesses His people. God’s promises are true from generation to generation! God doesn’t change – ever, and too often, unfortunately, neither do we…
Except by intentional desire, decisive choice and faithful follow-through. It was true with the Israelites, with the early church, and as a principle, always true with each of us individually. Trekker, it is called repentance, pure and simple. Will God “take us back” without it? Poor question! Repentance is nothing more or less than returning to God! To ask God to take us back without it is like not returning to God at all. “It,” repentance, is the returning to God in faith and function and follow-through by ordered lives which confess the truth and beauty of God’s forgiveness and love.
Trekker, there is actually great continuity between II Chronicles 7:14 – “humble themselves, pray, seek my face, turn from their wicked ways,” and St. Peter’s sermon in Acts 3:19, 20: “Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Christ who has been appointed for you, even Jesus.” (Trekker, Acts 3:19-26 is seminal. Read it!)
So, we should ask what is repentance! What does it look like? Literally the word means an “about face.” This is easy for military people to understand. The close order drill command, “about face,” opens up a true understanding of repentance. One (a person or nation) is going one way and/or facing a certain direction. An “about face” is a decisive action, a rapid spin around to face the opposite direction. It must be practiced to be made perfect. Toe touch, heel turn. Then, movement in a new, opposite direction, can occur. “Forward, march” is abruptly changed with the command, “to the rear, march.” When such commands are executed, repentance has taken place! Commands are executed precisely, decisively, intentionally, effectively. Change occurs and is visible to all!
Repentance is the siren call of all ages, the siren call and lament of the prophets in the OT, the siren call of the apostles in the NT and the siren call of God to His people, notably the Church, today. God’s blessing received is dependent upon it. God’s “times of refreshing” are assured by it.
If men (and women) will repent, will God hear from heaven? Of course, God delights to hear the prayers of His people. Does God then forgive sin? Of course, He has done so now in Christ Jesus, forever! Will God heal “their land?” Well yes, healing always takes place over time as we return to God in repentance! How will that look? How specifically will prayers be answered? Only God knows…our job is to repent and trust God. Our prayers may not program precise outcomes! God’s sovereignty alone will unfurl the tomorrows.
One last thought this month, my trekker friend. In virtually all Scriptural repentance, OT and NT, a leader rises up and calls the people, the nation to repentance. In this election season, we should be praying for such leaders to rise up and call for individual and national repentance. This is true not only for the United State but for the world of nations. Where are our leaders? I love the life of Abraham Lincoln… a simple, Godly man, who knew the right, chose the right and led the nation in repentance of the horrible sin of slavery.
Trekker, as you contemplate the election year outcomes may I encourage you to pray and vote. We must do both! And in the meantime, let us all remember, repentance begins in each individual heart.
Seeking always to turn to God, by choice and not by chance, your friend,
Jim Meredith
