One tragic occurrence after another. We awaken and look to learn what happened in the overnight hours. We read of hurricanes, murder, a bridge
collapsing, miners trapped and dying. We wonder why they happen, and what we can do to renew the joy of life we once knew.
In the late 50’s and 60’s the world experienced a constant state of anxiety – fear of atomic attack. The television screens were showing pictures of Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev’s shoe-pounding at the United Nations building. “We will bury you,” he said, and a lot of us were fearful of future events. We think, could these events result in someone “pushing the button” leading to an outbreak of atomic war – a war in which no one could win? The sale of underground bomb shelters was booming and people were thinking “short-term” about life.
Today we laugh about the “bomb shelters” – well, perhaps we laugh cautiously, but terrorism replaced the fears of yesterday. Drastic changes have been seen in Europe, the Middle East, and even America. But today’s threats appear to be from the inside of our society more than without. Drugs, crime, murder – and that in some of our public schools. Negative sentiments toward religion in general, and specifically “Christianity”, are rising constantly.
In Edward Gibbon’s classic work, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Gibbon reveals that a major factor in Rome’s fall was a “widespread immorality which destroyed family life.” We recently quoted the French scholar Alexis de Toqueville who sought to find the reasons for America’s progress in the early nineteenth century. He said he did not find it where he expected, in our Congress, our schools, our farms and factories, but in a place that causes us to think:
“Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I learn the greatness and genius of America. America is great because America is good. If she ever ceases to be good she will cease to be great.”
I know little of de Toqueville, but in this instance I believe he was right. And, if America is going to be “good,” the pulpits of America must be a force behind such “righteousness.” The problem with that thought is that many people in the pew do not want to hear about “righteousness.” Surveys tell us that the “average” pew-sitter wants only “positive” thoughts from the pulpit. Will this be the cause of America turning away from being “good”?
When Solomon became king, and when he finished building the Temple, he offered up sacrifices to God. Many troubling days were ahead for Solomon, but on this occasion God spoke of His expectations for His people, Israel. He appeared to Solomon by night and blessed the Temple, but He told Solomon, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,”
2 Chronicles 7:14-16.
Obviously, these words were spoken to Solomon years ago and in a distant land, but they are the only formula capable of saving any community, any nation, anywhere, Romans 1:16. Solomon, author of over three thousand proverbs, may have given a harmonious thought in Proverbs 14:34:
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people,” Proverbs 14:34.
Note carefully the mandates from 2 Chronicles 7:14:
1. “…humble themselves and pray…” All of us need humility, and when tragedy strikes, when illness impairs our lives, when fear of death comes, it may be that God is doing His part to help “humble” us. Instead of sitting still while some are removing the Bible from our schools and cities and smothering prayer, we must know our Bible and be ready to bow in respect and reverence to God, praising Him for His goodness, regardless of the consequences.
2. “…and seek my face…” Solomon needed this admonition as much as anyone, for he built many “temples” of worship to the heathen gods, and he eventually turned away from God.
“… Solomon loved many strange women…Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel…surely they will turn away your heart after their gods…he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines….it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods…Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab…for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon…the Lord was angry with Solomon…he kept not that which the Lord commanded,” 1 Kings 11:1-10.
Solomon – and all Israel – had some tough times ahead, but if they wanted to enjoy the blessing of God, they must “seek” the face of God, and “turn from their wicked ways” and do the “will of the Lord.” Though these words addressed a long ago situation, much of this context fits comfortably with the gospel. See Ezekiel 18:27, 33:11, 1 Peter 3:10-15, 1 Corinthians 16:13 and James 4:7-10.
This nation can be great again, “good” again, but not unless we follow God’s ways, not our own.
