“We are the People” by Pastor Richard Daughtridge
It’s hard to believe that God entrusted to humanity the power to implement change in our world. We stand on memorial day remembering those that have fallen to preserve freedom. We are challenged to make a difference for our children. The challen ge for tomorrow is in our hands. “We are the people.”
In 1985 Michael Jackson led an international fundraiser event to save thousands even millions in Africa from starvation. I remember getting goose bumps watching the stars across the stage singing, “We Are the World”. It was a beautiful moment in time. The world was glued to the TV rocking back and forth singing, “We are the World.” That moment has passed and today offers us even greater challenges. Today we are the people. We are the world. How will we respond?
2 Chron. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Seven things I’d like to point out in this promise from God.
- Name
- Humility
- Seek Relationship
- Turn From wicked way
- Hear From heaven
- Forgiveness
- Healing
Our nation is a nation built on the back of prayer. Here is a lecture by Ben Frankin at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It says it well.
“In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor… And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth-that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings, that “except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel:… I therefore beg leave to move-that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business.”
Psalm 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
Three Points of Verse 33
- Therefore he (God) said: (They Knew who God was.)
- would destroy them (They knew the consequences of disobedience.)
- Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach.(Recognized the opportunity for change.)
Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
The fight for freedom hasn’t ended and today we are the people.