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II CHRONICLES 7:14

"GOD'S PRESCRIPTION FOR A SICK NATION"

I. THE OCCASION.
        A. This passage is God's answer to Solomon's prayer. (verse 12.
        B. The prayer was offered at the dedication of the temple.
                1. The desire of King David has been fulfilled.
 2. After seven years of labor by over 30,000 workers, and the expenditure
    of  millions of dollars, the house now stands in all its glory.
        C. The day of dedication has been set.
                1. The nation gathered to celebrate.
                2. The priests were praising God with their singing and
                   120 trumpets.
                3. As their praise and thanksgiving went up to God the
                   glory of the Lord came down and filled the house.
        D. In the center of the court, Solomon had built a small
           platform of brass about 5 feet high.
                1. Here he stood and addressed the people.
                        a. He reminded them of the faithfulness of God.
                2. He then kneeled and with arms out-stretched he
                   addressed God.
                        a. He thanked God for His faithfulness.
                        b. Declared the purpose of this house.
                                1. Not a dwelling place for God.
                                2. A place where people can come and
                                   meet God, offer prayer.

II. HE FORESAW POSSIBLE CALAMITIES THAT MIGHT BEFALL THE NATION.
        A. People not keeping their covenants.
                1. Not keeping their promises.
                2. Breaking their contracts.
        B. "If they are put to worse before their enemies."
        C. If strange weather patterns emerge.
        D. If bugs begin to infest their crops.
        E. If they are held as hostages by their enemies.
        F. He saw all these calamities as symptoms of a deeper cause.
           "Because they have sinned against Thee."
                1. This is always the root of national calamity.
                2. The sin of forgetting or forsaking God.

III. THE PROMISE.
        A. If My people which are called by My name will --
                1. Humble themselves.
                2. And pray.
                3. And seek My face.
                4. And turn from their wicked ways.
        B. Then I will --
                1. If they will, I will.
                2. Hear from heaven.
                3. Forgive their sin.
                4. Heal their land.

IV. LOOK AT THE SYMPTOMS OF NATIONAL SICKNESS IN OUR LAND TODAY.
        A. Broken promises (divorce, presidential campaigns).
        B. Russians decided military superiority plus no win in
           Korea and Viet Nam.
        C. Strange weather patterns.
        D. Bug infestation of crops.
        E. Our people held as hostages.

God help us to wake up before it is too late.