Wow! Look what God is doing not only in America, but around the world! Although events are not playing out the way “I” (and countless other Christians) had hoped, He constantly reminds me of His Sovereignty, His Perfect Plan, and His promises to His people.

2^nd Chronicles 7:14 NKJV “ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

Notice the first word in this promise is “if”.

Although I had planned to write about this closer to Thanksgiving Day in America, with the outcome of our recent elections, I decided not to delay. It is a great lead-in to what comes next. 😊

In my first book, “Inspire Me,” I wrote a poem titled “My Thanksgiving Prayer, ” pp. 24- 25. I will continue by quoting a large section of that poem, clarifying why 2^nd Chronicles 7:14 comes to mind and what it led to for God’s people in the New Testament (Covenant)…

“Now this verse of scripture most of us know

But let’s read on; You have more to show.

Verses 15-16: The Lord continues to say,”

‘Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to prayer made in this place.

For now, I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My

Name shall be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.’

“These words You spoke when Solomon dedicated the temple

And passed on to us, You made it clear and simple.

In the Old and New Testament, the connection was made

Through Christ, in His people, the Cornerstone was laid.

2^nd Chronicles 6:16 clarifies where the new temple is displayed:

NOTE: While writing this blog, I discovered an error that has been overlooked. My editors, I, and anyone who has read it have not pointed it out, but it is important, so I am correcting it now.

The scripture is 2^nd Corinthians (not Chronicles) 6:16 NKJV:

‘And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temples of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God and they will be my people.’ I find it interesting that I am in a Ladies Bible study addressing the “Idols” in our lives.

Now I will continue with the poem…

“So, our hearts are the temples where Your Spirit resides

As we humbly ask You, Lord, to cleanse us inside.

Individuals, Your Church, a life of reconciliation.

Your blessings I ask on each one far and near

Chosen and sanctified, we are confident You hear,

As we humble ourselves and seek Your face

Turning from wicked ways, receiving from Heaven,

Forgiveness by Grace.

And the healing of our nation, yes, also Your chosen land

Your blessings through repentance, by Your gracious hand.

Your ears ever attentive, to prayers in this place

We are by the Holy Spirit, FOREVER EMBRACED! AMEN!”

I must point out that 2 Chronicles 7:14 does not apply today as a political or national guarantee for modern countries. Spiritual principles are what remain relevant to believers under the New Covenant. Our hearts are the temple under the New Covenant.

Now I ask you, is it apparent that many of God’s people have not humbled themselves and turned from their wicked ways? It is apparent that there are those on all sides of political parties who have not, or America would not be in the sad state of sin we’re in. But I say this with confidence: God has a remnant of people who have, and continue to, which brings me to the next portion of this blog.

Recently, during another early morning time on our deck with the Lord, I again focused my prayers on my family. With darkness covering me (“Your ears ever attentive, to prayers in this place”), I thought of the dark world that presses in on my grandchildren, and my many prayers for them (“We are by the Holy Spirit, FOREVER EMBRACED!”). Thank You, Lord, for generational blessings and for Your blood covenant.

My next thought was my poem, “The Answer is Coming”, pg. 37 of “Inspire Me”. This poem and scripture references give me the assurance and reminder I need when doubt begins. I admit, as the Apostle Paul did, doubt does try to creep in, and I need our Lord’s help!

The poem was based on a sermon our pastor gave almost ten years ago. The dark world was pressing in then, but I never would have imagined the depth of evil getting such a grip on our nation as it has now. ☹

The sermon and poem summation is that knowing God answers our prayers is the assurance we desperately need in times like these. Sometimes the answer is yes, and you have it right now. At other times He says yes, but the answer is delayed. And if it is delayed, “Walking with Him, you can walk the extra mile” (always for the good, even if it doesn’t feel good). “But if, in His wisdom, the Lord’s answer is “no”, He has something better, through it, you will grow”. There are those growing pains! We need them to learn more about His faithfulness and His character, so that we trust Him more. He is good all the time.

As I sat in the dark before Him and waited with Him, more of His reminders and assurance covered me. I heard a comforting song and a short video that reminded me of His promise to answer our prayers, and I didn’t forget the spiritual principle in the first word of 2 Chronicles 7:14, “if”.

He knew how much I would need this for what lay ahead. Yes, another life storm! He goes ahead of us and has that covered too. I would never say it is easy, but we were never promised easy. We were promised that He would never leave our side. Of course not; His Holy Spirit lives inside.

Thank you for joining me, and I hope you will join me for the song, video, and more reminders included that morning. As I look at my recently purchased world globe and think of you, I pray you know you are His, His Spirit lives inside you, and He hears and answers your prayers too, “if”… “So, our hearts are the temples where Your Spirit resides

As we humbly ask You, Lord, to cleanse us inside. (cleansed by the blood of Jesus)

I will end as I did in the poem “The Answer is Coming”…

“So always remember, Our Father hears our requests

And however He answers is always the best!”

Remembering who He is and who we are in Him (Temples where the Holy Spirit resides).

Reba