That The Church May Abide Forever

The latest “craze” in the church today is, “We need revival!” And many a church and Christian in America is calling out for 2 Chronicles 7:14 to come true.

Oh Lord we so need revival!

One problem with that; it doesn’t work that way.

We can’t wish for something; we can’t pray for something; we can’t organize for something; we cannot do anything worthy in our eyes until we first obey.

We must obey.

We must obey God’s law.

Yeah, yeah we know that Bro Dave, but you know that if God’s people will call Him…well you know how it goes.

    “..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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Most Christians pray that prayer for our nation’s leaders and for society, but that is not what is being asked of us in this passage. It says that Christians must humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, not the unsaved serving in public office or even the criminals. God expects us to do so.

But you see today’s American materialistic church wants nothing to do with obedience, humility, and sacrifice.

Church trout move from church to church to see what type of music they have, to see if the pastor preaches a “positive message”, and to find just the right children’s activities.

Very few go to worship; they go to consume. After all, we are no longer Americans or citizens; we are consumers.

The problem with most Christian fathers is that they are too busy pursuing the American dream at the expense of heavenly treasures. The latest craze in the investment world is to buy gold and that is nothing more than asphalt in heaven. Tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor.

You’re going to try to step into heaven with a piece of asphalt!

What America needs is for Christians to return to God’s law. I remember my son telling me once while he was in Iraq, this was a couple of months before he was killed, he told me, “Dad, most mornings I read the proverb of the day and the five psalms of the day as you taught us, and I pray to God that He will keep me and my boys safe and that I will do the right thing. That’s all I know I can do.”

I told him, “Eddie, if every Christian in America would do that what you do, it would transform America.”

Imagine your church if every member did that!

Imagine your family if every member did that!

Imagine your life if you did that!

Beloved, the Bible was given to us as a precious gift of God and most Christians only pick it up on their way out the door to church on Sundays. Asaph tried to remind Israel about the purpose of God’s law:

    “Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; and may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God.” (Psalm 78:1-8)

We need God’s law to teach our children how to live their lives and they should see living examples of it in the lives of their parents. That way they can teach their children. Why? Matthew Henry explains it while commenting on the above passage:

    “These are called dark and deep sayings, because they are carefully to be looked into. The law of God was given with a particular charge to teach it diligently to their children, that the church may abide forever. Also, that the providences of God, both in mercy and in judgment, might encourage them to conform to the will of God. The works of God much strengthen our resolution to keep His commandments. Hypocrisy is the high road to apostasy; those that do not set their hearts right, will not be steadfast with God. Many parents, by negligence and wickedness, become murderers of their children. But young persons, though they are bound to submit in all things lawful, must not obey sinful orders, or copy sinful examples.”

Do you have a rebellious child? What type of example are you as a parent?

Do you have a wayward child who has left the faith? What type of Christianity do you display for them?

It has become my heart’s cry that my example as a Christian would motivate my children to be an example unto theirs. No greater legacy can I leave to my grandchildren than to show them how much I love Jesus through my obedience. May the Lord make it so!

I have for so long had my priorities for America so backwards. I concentrated on Washington and its leaders and gave little or no notice to my local church and neighborhood.

Forgive me Jesus; renew in me a steadfast spirit Lord. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and give me a new love for Thy Word…

…in Jesus’ name I pray.

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

If you’re receiving these devotionals for the first time and would like to receive them on a regular basis, please click here and use “Please add to Devotional List” as the subject.”

    Copyright © 2010 David Jeffers

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,