13 If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the grasshopper to consume the land, or if I send pestilence on My people, 14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. [1]
Although we cannot draw primary application to the church from this passage, we can draw a secondary one. While neither the church nor the United States have replaced Israel as God’s chosen people we are, as believers in Christ, His people. Just as Israel was judged for their falling away from God so too will we if we fail to act as “salt and light” in our nation.
Notice some things from the passage:
1. It is an “if, then” statement. If we do X then God will do Y.
2. The “if” portion did not say anything about protesting abortion, drugs, the sexual culture, or any other thing directed toward the lost.
3. The “if” portion did instruct believers to: Humble themselves, pray, seek and turn. This is a personal inner directed action on the part of believers.
4. The “then” portion describes what God will do.
5. The “then” portion describes two personal, inner results (restoration to fellowship and forgiveness) and one outer corporate or national result (national healing).
6. National healing is a result of believer’s right relationship with God and not from unbelievers being forced to act morally.
7. Believer’s living their lives in a right relationship with God (salt and light function) will result in a nation being blessed.
8. Believer’s not living their lives in a right relationship with God will result in judgment on the believers and by association upon a nation.
9. A right relationship with God depends upon internal attitudes not on external actions.
[1] The Holy Bible : Holman Christian standard version. 2003. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
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