Day 255 If...Then

 

9/12/2025

"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 health their land."  

2 Chronicles 7:14

 

When I was growing up my mama faithfully took me to church. If we didn't have a ride, or if daddy was working, she would "bum" a ride, as she called it, but she made sure that every time the door of the church was opened, we were there. My daddy didn't attend church services when we were growing up, but something changed when his first grandchild, my daughter, was born. I can't remember exactly when he began to go to church with mama, but he was faithful the rest of his life. One thing my daddy taught me was that my word was my bond, that a person could depend on my word. He taught me to respect others, and he taught me generosity, if we had little to share. My mother would say, "We throw another potato into the pot." Sometimes potato soup was what we had, but it always became a feast with mama's biscuits, and she was always ready to share.

God's word teaches the same values that my parents instilled in me when I was growing up, as well as my siblings. We learned respect, honor, and friendship. We learned to keep promises, no matter the cost. God keeps His promises, and according to scripture "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." (2 Corinthians 1:20) 

The above words from 2 Corinthians 7:14 were spoken to Solomon by God after the dedication of the Temple. It has been quoted so often, but I wonder if those who read it really pay attention to the words. God is saying to His chosen people, Israel when He said "If MY people," but we can claim the words as Christians, because we have been grafted by God into the family, and now because of our belief in Christ, we too have been part of His people (Romans 11; Romans 1:16). When God is speaking, He often will say, "If...then..." I have mentioned this many times. So God is saying that 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 first things His people are told to do is to Repent! That was the message of John the Baptist, and it was the first words spoken by Jesus when He began His ministry. When we use this scripture, somehow it seems as it is being spoken more to the non-Christian than the believer, but God includes us. Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The word of God is His word, so the promises of God that began in Genesis and to through Revelation, are relevant for today. 

God continues speaking to Solomon saying that IF you continue to walk in His ways, keep His laws, THEN the throne of David would be established forever. God expects us to follow His law, be committed to His call, follow Christ, who gave His life for us. When Jesus died He split the veil in the temple that separated man from God, so we could approach the throne humbly seeking His grace to help in time of need. But we must come low, humbly, recognizing that we need to repent for ourselves, our nation, our families, seeking Holy Spirit to show us anything that separates us from God.

Our nation is in trouble. We are in a spiritual war, and we must fight with the spiritual weapons of our warfare. We need revival and reformation, turning back to God, beginning with the church, because judgment begins in the house of the Lord (1 Peter 4:17). I heard a pastor say that just as the early church was birthed on the blood of the martyred apostles, so revival will be awakened or re-birthed by the blood of our first martyr, Charlie Kirk. The devil has overplayed his shot. He has unleashed such a passion, fueled the flame of revival in the hearts of the generations of young people that Charlie taught the truth of truth, God's word. So many people are paying tribute to Charlie, and his wife, Erika spoke to the nation tonight, to all who love Him. Such love, commitment, and resolve to continue making the ministry of Turning Point USA even greater. It is so true that God will take evil and turn it for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). And that is what Charlie did. He served others just as God said, "If you want to be great in God's Kingdom, learn to be a servant to all." (Matthew 20:16)

Let's begin today by humbling ourselves, asking Holy Spirit to search our hearts, clean our minds, and repent for ourselves and on behalf of others. Seeking Him for the next step in the journey He has for us. As Paul the Apostle was locked up in Rome, waiting his death, he spoke these words: "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8) Charlie has finished his race, and he kept the faith, and all of Heaven is rejoicing, but a child of God has come home. I know he heard the words, "Well done, My good and faithful servant, enter in." I live for that day!