Week Forty-Four, 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 sins and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
It is one of my favorite verses and should be a focus for all Christians in these tumultuous and difficult times in our land. We have been ripped apart by hatred, killings, and unheard-of conflict. There is an awakening terror movement in our land, with violence against those exercising free speech.
If ever there was a time to focus on this verse, it is now. Notice that God calls on His people—those who are called by His name. The ball is in our court, as He calls us to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. These four things must be undertaken by His people before He acts. The passage offers a conditional promise of God’s forgiveness and healing in response to these specific actions by His people: (1) humility, (2) prayer, (3) seeking Him, and (4) repentance from sin.
Our land needs healing. God is the one who will have to do it, but our part is to do what He says and not get caught up in worldly solutions. Romans 12 tells Christians what we need to do in times like this.
We need to be different. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and do things His way—not the world’s way. We cannot get caught up in the world’s evil ways. We have to do good to everyone, as long as God gives us the life and breath to do so.
Then, and only then, will God follow with three things: (1) He will hear from heaven, (2) He will forgive our sins, and (3) He will heal our land. If ever our land needs healing and forgiveness, it is now—but each of us must do our part.
This verse was God’s promise to the nation of Israel, and it is still His promise to us today. It functions as a reminder of the covenant relationship with God, linking obedience and repentance to national well-being and restoration. The verse is also interpreted by some as a timeless principle for God’s people, requiring humility, repentance, and a turning back to God for spiritual, moral, and national restoration today.
Israel’s sin brought judgment on their land, and it is and will bring judgment on ours today. Are you ready to turn from our worldly ways and focus on His ways? Only then will He hear our voice, forgive our sins, and heal our land.
Sometimes True Stories
According to the Canadian news outlet The Globe and Mail, the government of Quebec is planning to ban prayer in public places “as part of a move to strengthen secularism in the province.” The idea was first made public by Premier François Legault, who said he did not want to see people praying in public parks or on streets. Last Thursday, the province’s secularism minister (yes, that oxymoronic office is real) confirmed he would advance the legislation this fall.
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All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
Have you ever gone on a cruise? 600 pounds of butter per day, 1,500 pounds of flour per day, 250,000 eggs per week, 170,000 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables—all this food is needed for one cruise ship carrying only 3,500 passengers! Seems like a lot. Before each cruise begins, the ship is loaded with all the provisions the kitchen staff needs to keep everyone on board happy and well fed!
In 2 Timothy 3:17, Paul tells us that God’s Word is given to us so that we will be “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” As we study Scripture, we are equipped for whatever comes our way. The truth and the promises found in God’s Word make their way into our heart and then into our life, giving us strength to persevere in trials and courage to stand for Christ.
Just as a cruise ship loads tons of food before each departure, so we must continually fill our mind with God’s Word. As we do, we will be equipped to serve God each moment of the day. Feed your mind daily with God’s Word. Remember, we are what we consume.
Are you prepared for the day? Are you prepared today for your marriage, for your kids, fo
Quotes You Can Use
It is important to be knowledgeable about things when we voice our opinions. Without the facts, our opinions can be misleading and hurtful. —Tony Ferguson
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. —Mark Twain
The only way to be found worthy to escape the Great Tribulation is by receiving Jesus Christ and the forgiveness He offers. —Dan Shock
Believing what the Lord says is absolutely true is the essential foundation of a faithful life. Absolutely nothing the Lord has ever said, has been proven false, we must keep that in mind when the devil tempts us. Understanding that the Lord “is truth”, “is knowledge.” —Tony Ferguson
I am reminded of my need for Jesus and my desire to become more and more like Him. I am reminded of all the good that also happened in my day, in my life, in my little part of the world… reminded of all the good that I am surrounded by… and reminded to dwell upon such things. —Marty Stubblefield
The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. —Johnny Cash
If you are facing struggles in life, talk to the Lord. You don’t need an appointment, and His help line is always open.
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. —Dale Carnegie
Remember that if you are a child of God, you will never be happy in sin.
Life is meaningful when you recognize that each moment is unique and will never happen again; cherish every experience as a once-in-a-lifetime gift.
Your job as a parent is to teach your kids how to deal with disappointment, not to keep them from it.
God canceled your plans to save your life. He sent you the other direction to avoid danger. He fights battles you know nothing about. His plan is better than yours.
Trust that God will put the right people in your life at the right time and for the right reasons.
An umbrella cannot stop the rain, but it allows us to stand in the rain. Faith in God may not remove our trials, but it gives us the strength to overcome them.
You cannot create your own definition of Christianity and call yourself a Christian when that definition is very different than what the Bible says. Christianity is not relative, but THE BIBLE IS ABSOLUTE!
Our biggest problem is our small view of God. —Mark Batterson
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