Saturday, June 21   (First day of summer !!)
Reading for today:  2 Chronicles 6-7 and Psalm 136

Very similar to yesterday's reading.   The account of the dedication of the temple.   I notice a very famous passage in 2 Chronicles 7.   The Lord is speaking to Solomon in a dream and says (paraphrased)  "if my people are rebellious and incur my wrath, I will relent and heal them if they turn back to this place."

Solomon's prayer has been for forgiveness for the people.   If they are attacked, he asks that they be forgiven and then that God would defeat the enemies.  He assumes disobedience before defeat; probably because he cannot conceive of defeat while the people have God's favor.   Those who are unjustly accused may call out, and God will answer from this temple, punishing the guilty and exalting the innocent.

Our society seems to be struggling with its moral compass.  What behavior is right, and what's wrong in this era?   If it was bad 100 years ago, is it still "bad" today?   In some cases we believe that things that were at one time acceptable are no longer....slavery, for instance.  Or smoking..tobacco used to be very popular and no one knew it caused cancer.    On the other hand, the way we dress and appear in public has taken a turn liberally.   Women are wearing pants (big deal!), but that was unheard of 100 years ago.

The church has a moral compass, it hasn't changed since the day it was written.  The Bible is more than our account of the history of the human race, it's our guidance for everyday living.   It is the primer for developing and maintaining a relationship with the creator of the universe.   And as a corollary, it's guidance can also help us live more harmoniously together.    The temple may be gone, but the one who created it and lived within it's walls is still here.    The one who forgives sins, cares for the plight of the less fortunate and the unjustly accused is still with us today.

And just like the days of old, if we will turn our face toward Him, and confess our sinfulness He will come and heal us.   He will forgive our sins, make us well, and put our country back on the right course.

I suspect that the attitude of independence, and it's cousins pride and arrogance are what keep us as a nation and as individuals from confessing our sins.   We don't want to acknowledge that there is one greater than us, because we secretly believe that we ourselves are the greatest.   Some go so far as to state there is no God.

I hope that you have the wisdom to realize the folly in such a position, and strive to remain humble before the Lord.  Turn your face often to Him and confess your sins.  It is not only the best way to remain in a right relationship with Him, it's the ONLY way.

Blessings,

PR