March 9 - Renewal

“…and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Well, finally, we are getting to the point that we thought we were  looking for in the first place — healing our land! We tend to think healing our  land is the end game. We do want our land healed, but what does that look  like? Is it a return to normal, a return to the good life, not having to worry  about our bank accounts shrinking, our comforts or our security threatened?  If so, we are focused on the stuff, not the substance of life.

We must not expect that if God heals our land, life will go back to the  way we were. Why? Because the way we were was not God-honoring. We  were lost in lukewarm, acting blissfully ignorant, or complacently tolerant, of  sin. Why would God answer our fervent prayers by returning us to that state?  That is what got us in trouble in the first place. He has much more in mind.  Revival. Repentance. Renewal.

The most essential and life-changing result of our intercession would  be the cleansing and healing of our hearts. The healing of our land is only a  side benefit, a symptom and sign of a healing of His people.

Imagine revival!Imagine how our world could change if His truth  controlled our hearts and minds. Walking in integrity, our compassionate  hearts would focus our energies and resources to be the hands and feet of  Jesus worldwide. We would stand up for persecuted Christians, both here and  abroad. We would be filled with an urgency to spread the Good News, to  fulfill the Great Commission. We would see not only a healing of our land, but  a healing of our world.  

Let’s praise the Lord for the opportunity to turn from our wicked ways  and receive forgiveness; let’s ask Him to heal our hearts so we can be used  by Him to bring healing to our land and to our world.

Today’s Action: 
Let’s read Proverbs 9 together, taking the time to let its wisdom and  correction change our hearts and our lives, so we can live a long and fruitful  life for Him and His purposes.

“For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be  added to you.”  (Proverbs 9:11)