PRAYING GOD HEALS OUR LAND
People say they being overwhelmed by floods of sickness, financial difficulties, wickedness, social and political problems, death and other difficulties. Our Lord God said: he rules in earthly affairs from his throne in heaven (Psalm 103:17-19; Daniel 4:17; Proverbs 21:1). But he said as the heaven is high above the earth, so are his ways high above our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Nevertheless, he tells us, “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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
REPENTANT PRAY MOVED GOD TO HEAL IN PAST
God repeatedly warn his Old Testament people that he would punish and correct them if they did not repent of their wickedness. (“For whom the Lord loves He chastens”–Hebrews 12:6). However, because of their continued disobedience, he sent enemies to invade their land. Babylon took Israel into captivity. After seventy year of captivity, God saw they had repented. Then “the Lord moved on the heart of King Cyrus of Persia” to free Israel and restore their land to them. (Jeremiah 25:2-12; 29:10; Ezra 1:1-11).
The Bible tells us God used King Cyrus for God’s good purpose, although this king did “not acknowledge” or really worship the God of Israel. (Isaiah 45:4-6). Evidently, not every king that God used to help or lead his people was like King David, whom God said was “a man after his own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). However, when the people of God repentantly pray, he helps them with leaders of his own choosing.
IN WHAT WAYS MIGHT GOD HAVE USED PRESIDENT TRUMP TO HEAL OUR LAND?
Responding to God’s words in 2 Chronicles 7:14, world renown evangelist Franklin Graham began to lead rallies throughout the land, proclaiming the words this Bible verse. Mr. Graham said it was because of “the God factor” that Donald Trump was elected president of the United States. And the evangelist believed God would use President Trump for God’s own purpose of healing the nation.
As Editor-In Chief of the Decision Magazine, Franklin Graham expressed the belief that President Trump was a supporter of important Bible teachings and related precepts of the Constitution. He seemed convinced that the president’s heart was “in the Lord’s hand,” and that God was channeling the president’s heart toward those who pleased him (Proverbs 21:1). Mr. Graham was apparently persuaded that God influenced the President to support the following doctrines and people that are in line with the biblical Word of God:
PRO LIFE. In the Bible God said: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah :5:1).
TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE. “In the day that God created man…Male and female He created them” (Genesis 5:2)–“God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth (Genesis 1:28).—And “Let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” (1 Corinthians 7:2).
Yet, contrary to the above teaching about marriage, the Biblical Word of God says: “[some] exchanged the truth about God for a lie…Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error” (Romans 1:25-27).
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. The Bible says mankind should live by every word God (Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
APPOINTMENT OF SUPPORTIVE JUSTICES. These seems be Judges who are thought to believe that the Constitution supports the above positions of the Bible.
IN WHAT WAYS MIGHT GOD USE PRESIDENT BIDEN TO HEAL OUR LAND?
Acknowledging that “there is no authority except that which God has established,” we understand that God empowered Joseph Biden with the presidency as he did Donald Trump (Romans 13:1). Despite the personal aspiration of anyone for power, including their supporters; God ultimately decides who gets positions of power.
Not only does God decided who is president, but who the president’s Congressional supporters will be. In the case of President Biden, God has evidently rearranged the seats of the United States Legislature to give the president more political support.
The Lord has obviously put it in President Biden’s heart, and given him political support to deal with certain crises facing our nation. Mr. Biden said he would use the presidency to promptly address pressing needs of the country. God knows how effective the president will be in dealing with these needs:
BASIC NEEDS—Health, Economic and other critical issues. The Word of God says: “Rescue the weak and the needy” (Psalm 82:4). “Whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:3).
SOCIAL INJUSTICE. There is cry throughout the land for Social Justice. The Word cries out: “What does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy” (Micah 6:8). “The righteous care about justice for the poor” (Proverbs 29:7).
RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY. Some in positions of authority say they are not given enough respect. The Word says: God has given us authorities “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives” (1 Timothy 2:2). And “All of you must obey those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen” (Romans 13:1).
As the highest authority in the land, how well will President Biden be able to balance mercy and justice for the poor; with respect and regard for authorities?
PRAYING AND RELYING ON GOD
The Lord says, the prayers and behavior of his people factor into what God does to help us (2 Chronicle 7:14). Because God loves all people, he urges his people to pray for all people— including kings and all those in authority (Timothy 2:1-2).
Subsequent to the election of President Biden, Evangelist Franklin said: “Regardless of election, results, however, I remain steadfastly confident in God’s sovereign plan and authority. I do not put my hope in either the Republican or Democratic party. My hope is in God Almighty.”
WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE AND THANK GOD FOR HIS HEALING AND GOODNESS!
Pending our Lord return we should recognize and thank the Lord for all of his healing and goodness. The Bible says: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:7).
- God gave his only begotten Son to die for us while we were yet sinner (Romans 5:8).
- God works all things together for good for those who recognize and love him (Romans 8:28).
- As the loving ruler of everything, he may use trials and even pandemic problems to help us recognize we can do nothing without him (John 15:5); and to draw us closer to him (1 Peter 4:12-13; Romans 8:29).
- God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). And he will always make a way for us who trust in him with all our heart to deal with our difficulties (Isaiah 43:16).
- God may allow researchers the best cures for resistant pandemic diseases–especially if people ask him for help
- Our Lord God put it in the hearts of our leaders, despite what might be their own motives, to do some things he knows tend toward healing our land.
As people of God, we ought to continue to pray repentantly; and “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!For His mercy endures forever” (1 Chronicles 16:34).
We should keep in mind that although God is involved in the affairs of the world for the good of people; our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ is preparing to take his people to live with him forever in heaven (John 14:2-3).
