America is in trouble. She is under attack from within and facing God’s judgment without. There is still hope for America if we follow God’s plan of salvation for a nation. Will you help save our nation?
America is a Christian nation. Pilgrims seeking religious and political freedom founded our country. God has uniquely blessed America over its 244-year history.
Yet, we see trouble in our country today. As the godless and idolatrous have gained ground in society, God’s blessing has waned.
There is nothing wrong with America that an old-fashioned revival could not fix. Share on XOur nation’s only hope is to turn back to God!
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Allow me to remind you that there are two layers of righteousness in a nation.
1. Governmental righteousness.
That is the righteousness of its laws, precepts, and judgments. America is running away from God in this area.
Godless politicians, rogue judges, deep state operatives, and ungodly laws have waged war against the God and Heaven and demand holy justice.
2. Individual righteousness.
That is the righteousness of a nation’s citizens. You cannot control the entire country, but you can manage yourself. Let me encourage you. Your personal righteousness matters!
2 Chronicles 7:14 gives us God’s plan of salvation for a nation.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
The healing of a nation is dependent upon the conduct of God’s people.
Examine the five steps of salvation for a nation in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
1. If My People, Which Are Called By My Name
God is looking to the righteous to save America. Wicked people will always be wicked. The ungodly will live ungodly. God looks to His people to determine the ultimate fate of a nation.
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
At times, God found people He could use as His instruments of righteousness. Other times, there was no one available for God’s purposes. In Ezekiel’s day, the LORD couldn’t even find someone to pray for Israel.
Ezekiel 22:30
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
God was patient with Israel and Judah until it was almost entirely corrupt. Only a small remnant was faithful, so God purified His people with judgment.
Christians are God’s people today.
2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
God looks to His people to determine the ultimate fate of America. Judgment begins at the house of God!
1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
2. Humble Themselves
We must humble ourselves under the corrective hand of God. God hates pride and resists it at every turn. He loves humility and assists the humble.
James 4:6
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Humility mourns over sin. It acknowledges wickedness and seeks restoration.
James 4:9–10
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Will we weep for our nation to be saved, or will we weep because it has been destroyed? The choice is ours. Jeremiah lamented the destruction of Jerusalem.
Lamentations 1:12
Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see If there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, Wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.
We must weep for America before it is gone. Prayer is the ultimate act of humility.
3. Pray
Meditate upon this amazing fact. God would have spared wicked Sodom for ten righteous souls. To understand the weight of that statement, you must understand how wicked was the city of Sodom. There were five cities situated in the valley of Siddim (Salt Sea): Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela.
Genesis 14:2
That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
Sodom is the supreme example of a wicked city in Scripture. The name of Sodom has been forever stained and stigmatized. Have you ever heard of anything pleasant named after Sodom?
Sodom is used as the ultimate illustration of wickedness and an eternal warning of God’s judgment.
Deuteronomy 29:23
And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the Lord overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
Isaiah 1:9–10
Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
Jeremiah 23:14
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
Lamentations 4:6
For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.
Amos 4:11
I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
The tragic story of Sodom is used as an illustration in the New Testament also.
Matthew 10:15
Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Mark 6:11
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
2 Peter 2:6
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
Even the wicked city of Sodom was salvageable by prayers of intercession and righteous living.
Ponder Abraham’s Intercession for the righteous in Sodom.
Genesis 18:17–33
And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
We must intercede for our nation! How much time do you spend praying for America?
Nehemiah mourned and prayed after he heard of the destruction of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 1:4–11
And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. O LORD, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.
Consider the elements of Nehemiah’s powerful prayer.
- He wept. :4
- He mourned. :4
- He fasted. :4
- He acknowledged God for Who He is. :5
- He confessed the sins of the nation & citizens. :6-7
- He reminded God of His Word. :8-9
- He reminded God of His People. :10
- He prayed for wisdom and an open door. :11
4. Seek My Face
Step four of the salvation of a nation is to seek God’s face.
King David encouraged the Hebrews to seek God’s face after they retrieved the ark of God.
1 Chronicles 16:11
Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
During a time of judgment, God pulled back from Israel until they decided to seek His face.
Hosea 5:15
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
Isaiah 55:6
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
God wants to be found. He is not hiding. If you seek God with your whole heart, you will find Him.
Jeremiah 29:13
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
The word “face” speaks of one’s presence. Seeking God’s face is to seek His presence.
Psalm 27:8
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Psalm 105:4
Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. How beautiful it is to dwell in the glorious presence of God!
Psalm 31:16
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.
5. Turn From Their Wicked Ways
God’s people are called to live holy lives.
Deuteronomy 14:2
For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
God expects no less of His people today. We are called to be holy!
1 Peter 1:13–15
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
We are to be a peculiar people wholly given to God.
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
You don’t have to quit sinning to be saved personally. Repentance unto salvation is turning to Christ from idols.
1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
We don’t get better to get saved. We get saved to get better. God loves us in spite of our sin.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
After salvation, we have the power to quit the sins of the flesh.
Romans 6:6–13
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
You must turn from your sin to be blessed. Repentance unto sanctification is turning from sin to righteousness. God tells sinners to turn from idols. God tells His people to turn from sin.
The fifth step of God’s plan of salvation for a nation is to turn from sin.
God saw the repentance of the Ninevites and spared their nation.
Jonah 3:10
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Josiah was one of the last kings of Judah. The nation was spiritually destitute after the wicked reign of Manasseh. Josiah ordered the temple to be repaired. In the process, the book of the law was found. After hearing God’s law Josiah knew the people were in trouble! He needed to know what God thought.
The spiritual state of Israel was so bad that there was no prophet or priest available. They went to a prophetess to learn God’s will.
2 Chronicles 34:19–28
And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king’s, saying, Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book. And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect. And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah: Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched. And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD. Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.
Josiah led one of the great revivals in recorded history. God honored the turning from sin and decided to delay the destruction of Judah until Josiah died.
Sin separates us from God. We must turn from our sin to be blessed.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Conclusion
If we follow the five steps of the salvation of a nation, God will step in and hear from Heaven and heal the land.
I don’t know how many righteous people it will take to save our country, but you and I can make a start!
There is nothing wrong with America that an old-fashioned revival could not fix.
Revival starts with me. It begins with you. We must humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways.
Then we must boldly proclaim the Gospel to everyone we know, teaching them to do the same after being saved.
We change the world by changing OUR world.
To what degree are you following the instruction of 2 Chronicles 7:14?
Let’s get serious about achieving revival, seeking souls, and saving our nation. Start today.