For believers, these verses serve as a powerful reminder of the potential for transformation that can occur when God’s people align with His will. It is often cited in calls for national prayer and repentance, suggesting that divine intervention in societal issues is contingent upon the spiritual obedience of God's people.
[00:00:00] Let us pray, pray together on our knees
[00:00:07] Let us pray, pray together on our knees
[00:00:14] When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun
[00:00:21] Oh Lord, never see all the knees
[00:00:27] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with Elgin Carelock
[00:00:30] The Bible Speaks is a weekly ministry of Harvest International
[00:00:33] Our prayer is that the Bible Speaks will encourage you in your study of God's word
[00:00:38] You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this broadcast
[00:00:44] And now, here's Elgin
[00:00:46] Welcome to another edition of Words of Inspiration
[00:00:51] And I welcome you from wherever you are, whoever you are, and whenever you're listening
[00:00:58] Today's discussion will be titled Healing Our Land
[00:01:05] And the Spiritual Inspiration comes from 2 Chronicles 7, verse 14
[00:01:12] Which reads, If my people which are called by my name
[00:01:17] Shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways
[00:01:24] Then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land
[00:01:34] Brothers and sisters, we are facing unprecedented times
[00:01:38] There are wars, rumors of wars, widespread poverty, homelessness, human trafficking
[00:01:45] And people doing everything that is right in their own eyes
[00:01:50] It is times like these where non-believers question our God
[00:01:55] And some believers are wondering why God allows these things to happen
[00:02:01] In Romans 1, verse 28
[00:02:05] The passage states
[00:02:07] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge
[00:02:12] God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not fitting
[00:02:19] The term reprobate mind translates from the Greek word adokimus
[00:02:27] Which means rejected, worthless or cast away due to failure to pass the test
[00:02:35] In a broader biblical context it refers to a state of moral corruption
[00:02:40] And the rejection of God to the point where one is no longer responsive to him or his moral guidance
[00:02:48] Being given over to a reprobate mind is considered a severe form of divine judgment
[00:02:56] It occurs when individuals persistently reject the truth of God and choose to live in unrighteousness
[00:03:04] As a result, God allows them to continue in their chosen path
[00:03:09] Withdrawing his restraining grace and leaving him to their own devices
[00:03:15] This condition is marked by a progressive deterioration of moral sense
[00:03:20] Leading to behaviors that are increasingly depraved and contrary to God's design for human conduct
[00:03:28] While the condition of being given over to a reprobate mind is grave
[00:03:33] The broader message of the Gospel holds out hope for redemption and change
[00:03:39] The call to repentance and the offer of forgiveness through Jesus Christ
[00:03:44] Suggests that transformation is possible for those who turn back to God
[00:03:49] No matter how far they stray
[00:03:52] And Jesus gives us the steps in our inspirational verses
[00:03:58] The opening clause, if my people who are called by my name, underscores the deep sense of identity and belonging
[00:04:08] Those who are called by God's name are recognized as belonging to God
[00:04:14] Indicating a relationship that is both personal and communal
[00:04:19] This identity carries with it the responsibility to reflect the character and standards of God acting as his representatives on earth
[00:04:30] The condition set forth, humility, prayer, seeking God and turning from evil
[00:04:39] Emphasizes the attitudes and actions required for spiritual renewal and divine intervention
[00:04:47] Humility is foundational as it acknowledges our limitations and dependence on God
[00:04:55] Prayer and seeking God's presence are about reorienting our lives toward divine priorities
[00:05:02] And sustaining a living relationship with Him
[00:05:06] Turning from wicked ways involves both individual and communal repentance
[00:05:12] Acknowledging and moving away from behaviors that contradict God's way
[00:05:18] To compound the problem, we as a society have allowed people to keep us from saying what is right and wrong
[00:05:26] For fear of being called judgmental, self-righteous, or prejudice, or in some cases, racist
[00:05:34] When is enough enough?
[00:05:38] God's promise in response to the fulfillment of these conditions are listening, forgiveness, and healing
[00:05:47] These are pivotal elements in restoring the relationship between God and His people
[00:05:53] Listening implies that God is attentive to the cries of His people
[00:05:58] Forgiveness speaks to the removal of the barriers of sin and guilt
[00:06:06] And healing refers not only to the physical or material restoration, but also to the moral and spiritual rejuvenation of the people and our land
[00:06:19] Brothers and sisters, for believers, these verses serve as a powerful reminder of the potential for transformation
[00:06:27] That can occur when God's people align with His will
[00:06:31] It is often cited in calls for national prayer and repentance
[00:06:36] Suggesting that divine intervention in societal issues is contingent upon the spiritual obedience of God's people
[00:06:46] I want to thank you again for spending time with me on today
[00:06:51] And I look forward to our conversation on tomorrow
[00:06:54] Until then, God bless
[00:07:27] Again, that's Harvest International, Post Office Box 6690, Ocala, Florida 34478