Special JULY 4th Bible Study from David
A. INTRODUCTION
... Hard to believe, a year ago our church published my essay “My America”. Part 1 is a memoir of my growing up in post-World War II optimism, on into the 60’s, and up to the issues of our day. Part 2 uses today: scripture as a prescription for a nation to overcome the problems of the day. Little did I know what America would be facing a year later! Which makes today the ultimate test of my essay. “My America” has had a good life: 2,000 copies, including one sent to every congressperson (500!). Lots of response. If you would like a copy (free), they are at the Church Office and in the Narthex. Or we’ll send you one.
B.
TODAY...
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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
C.
SUMMARY.
Israel is God’s control experiment with humanity. God offers a one on one covenant, a deal designed to benefit God and Israel, and to provide a practical example to the rest of the world. Judaism and Israel both begin as a two-way covenant with God. Much of the Old Testament shows God trying to keep Israel on track. God’s efforts range from The Ten Commandments to admonishment: do this (or don’t!), and fix that. In this scripture God reminds Israel of their covenant (“
My
people called by
my
name”) and invites Israel to renew their bond. God offers a four-fold prescription for national healing: humble themselves, pray, seek, and turn. God’s end of the bargain is the promise to forgive their sins and heal the nation.
D. KEY POINTS
1.
HUMBLE ourselves. It is natural to applaud ourselves, to think highly of our best efforts, to promote our greatest successes. But only humble people are open to changes necessary to be better and improve. We talk about certain people as being “teachable” or “coachable”. They want to be their best, and are humble enough to know they’re not, yet. The first step for ancient Israel and modern America to be our best is humility.
2.
PRAY. Most people’s typical prayers are for help, needs, confession. “God help us” is probably the most often shouted prayer! And the Lord’s Prayer is given as a model prayer. Ok. Now apply all that to America. How might “God help us” as a country? What are our needs? Where do we need forgiveness? What is our confession? In fact, how often do you pray specifically and intentionally about America? If you pray regularly you probably have a list you go through each time. Is America on the list? “God bless America” and “God help us” are both prayers. Bu they both beg for specifics. Try it.
3.
SEEK GOD’S FACE is an invitation to extraordinary intimacy. In this Covid-19 era we complain that we can’t see each other’s smiles and faces. God doesn’t social distance. He invites us to take our “masks” off and be real, be blunt, be personal, be in one another’s face in the best way. Where nothing is hidden. That is a level of honesty and knowing, of seeing and being seen that is wonderful and daunting. Apply that to America as the “person” being real and seen and known from the perspective of God’s eagle eye. We go before God in stark intimacy, seeking God’s presence AND help.
4.
TURN from your WICKED WAYS is tough. It is hard enough when applied to ourselves. How blunt do I want to get with God about my own problems? For this verse to be accomplished requires two big steps. First, name our wicked ways. Second, “turn” away from them. That’s what “repentance” is, to dramatically turn or change the direction that is hurting your life. Or nation. But to repent you have to know what’s wrong. That’s why I say that naming our sins, weaknesses, failures is crucial. If we won’t recognize and name our faults, how shall we improve?
E.
IF/THEN.
That was always a phrase in various classes: English, history, science, logic. In our scripture God says “IF” we do our part “THEN” God will do God’s part. That part is to “heal” our nation. This verse is useless for anyone who thinks that they, or the nation, is hunky dory. Hunky doryism (!!) prevents healing, change, improvement, help, guidance. As modern Americans we do self-assessments all the time – for skin cancer, our retirement funds, our kids’ viewing habits, our weight, etc. Why wouldn’t we do for our beloved America what we do for our beloved loved ones?
