Dr. Montia Setzler, Lead Pastor
August 7, 2016
Series: Depending on God in Uncertain Times
Depending on God to Bring Revival
2 Chronicles 7:12–16 (HCSB)
Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a temple of sacrifice. 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. 15 My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to prayer from this place. 16 And I have now chosen and consecrated this temple so that My name may be there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there at all times.
1. GOD IS SOVEREIGN AND CAN CHOOSE HIS RESPONSE TO OUR PRAYERS
v 12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a temple of sacrifice.”
• The sovereignty of God means that He is in charge.
• God is not obligated to hear our prayers.
• God can choose to hear us and respond to our requests.
2. GOD SOMETIMES ALLOWS DIFFICULT TIMES TO GET OUR ATTENTION
v 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…”
• God loves us enough to discipline us.
• Sometimes, hardship is the only way to get our attention.
3. GOD IS WAITING ON HIS PEOPLE TO BRING REVIVAL TO OUR LAND
v 14a “…and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways…”
Revival in the land calls for Christians to:
• Humble themselves
• Pray
• Seek His face
• Turn from their evil ways
4. GOD’S MOVEMENT IS CONDITIONAL UPON OUR RESPONSE TO HIM
vv 14b-16 “…then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to prayer from this place. And I have now chosen and consecrated this temple so that My name may be there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there at all times.”
When we meet His conditions:
• He promises to hear us.
• He will forgive our sin.
• He will heal our land.
• He will be attentive to our prayers.
• He will establish His name forever.
God is waiting on Christians to turn to Him to bring revival to our nation. We may be facing uncertain times as a way to get us to seek Him, more than ever to bring healing to our land.
