1 Kings 8-9

You know, sometimes as I look out and survey the moral landscape of our nation, I realize more and more the necessity for God's presence in our lives. Today, at Virgina Tech, the largest mass murder on US soil occurred. At least 31 are already reported dead, and others may be added as they are in critical conditions in local hospitals.

In today's reading, in all his wisdom, Solomon shows that he knew much about the moral fiber of his day; they were prone to wickedness(no different from today). Over and over he asks God to forgive the men when they commit sins against Him. Solomon's plea is that God will hear them when they return to Him. He knows that they were not worthy of God's favor, but begs for it so that the world might know that the one true God lives in Israel.

Solomon asks God, "that He might incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances" (1 Kings 8:58). Solomon knew we needed Divine intervention and direction. Man needs that light of truth. But he also charges the people with the same calling, "Let you heart therefore be wholly devoted to the Lord our God" (v 61). Hence, it is the participation both by God and man which brings about change in the human heart.

It is the reason why we must be praying for God's spirit to fall on us to bring revival in our land. Revival is not something mustered by man's will alone, rather it is the gift of God when He inclines hearts to Himself. We must seek Him, being wholly devoted, praying for His power to rain down on our country. It is our only hope to bring the lost back to Him. It is the only way that the world might know that there is a God in the United States. For better or worse, we are still seen by many as the Christian nation... sadly the Christian God seems quite impotent at the moment. So just like Solomon, we must beg for His Spirit's power to display itself, that the world might know that the one true God does indeed live.

Take time today to pray for the families of victims, for those still in the hospital, for fellow students and friends left in the wake of this disaster. Then pray that God would not let this happen without bringing glory to Himself. Pray that He would use even this to draw the lost to Himself. Pray that believers will stand in the gap and declare in grace with love the hope of Christ. Pray that this event affects you and brings you to the point where you are changed to become more focused on the mission of the Church. It's time, more than ever, to be ready to give a reason for the hope we believe... The gospel must be preached, without it there is no transformational power left to this nation. May God call His people to declare His message of hope. Amen.