May 23
1 Kings 8:1-11; 2 Chronicles 5:1-14; 1 Kings 8:12-21; 2 Chronicles 6:1-11; 1 Kings 8:22-53; 2 Chronicles 6:12-42
In my medical practice there are times that I get to give good news, and other times I have to give bad news. I have a long time patient who has been unable to find that man to fall in love with, until now, when she is in her early forties. She came in for blood work and wanted to see her prospects of having a child. Unfortunately her lab results showed that her ovarian reserve, or the prospects of having a child naturally, were rather bleak. As I called her and began the conversation, she said to me, "You know why this is happening, don't you". To which I wasn't sure what she was referring to. Then she asked if I remembered her history. It was then that I realized that she was referring to her two abortions that she had many years ago. When I asked if that was what she was referring to, she said, "Yes", then proceeded to tell me that God was now punishing her for what she had done. Though there can be earthly consequences for what we do, poor ovarian reserve as a result of previous abortions was not one of them. I explained that was not how God acts, and that it was obvious that she was feeling a tremendous amount of regret, remorse, and guilt over her previous pregnancy choices. Like most, she was resting on the false premise that people are basically good and bad, and that God rewards the good and punishes the bad. I explained that is not how we are, and that is not who God is. I explained that her forgiveness was simply one prayer away. I explained that no matter what we have done, God can and will forgive. I asked if she wanted to pray over the phone with me, but she said that she would prefer to do it alone as soon as I hung up. In the Bridge Women's Center out of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, there are many facets to the ministry which includes two vans, which we call "Hannah" and “Joshua”, which has an ultrasound unit, and parks near abortion centers, to show expectant mothers the life within them. There are also individuals in the bus ready to give the gospel message to the mother and father, if he is present. In addition there is assistance provided for things such as items needed to care for a newborn, assistance with getting medical insurance, housing, education, etc. One additional aspect are classes called, "Forgiveness and Set Free" geared towards those individuals who experience the guilt surrounding their previous decisions of having an abortion.
Solomon shifts gears and positions. He just spent time publicly, before the congregation on his knees with his hands raised towards heaven, praising and petitioning God on behalf of himself and the people. We now read in 1 Kings 8:55-56, "He stood and in a loud voice blessed the entire congregation of Israel: “Praise the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses." We should not quickly move past or minimize this truth from the lips of Solomon, "Not one word has failed of all that God has promised". The Bible gives us a good glimpse of history and God's perfect track record of being true to His promises. Solomon moves on to remind the people that in the future they will fail, both individually and nationally, but God is both a listening and a forgiving God who will listen for confession and repentance from His children and will forgive them who come to Him, no matter what they have done. We read in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, "At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."
Our nation and our world is swaying under the weight of its sin. A new political leader, a reform, a new law, will not change the godless cesspool that we have become. Nothing short of revival will do. But as we said, God is faithful, even when we are not. God is always forgiving, because that is His character. And as we read, God's word never fails, and He is true to all of His promises. So as Pastor Chuck Smith said, "I am so thrilled that God keeps His word faithfully, for He has promised that if I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I am going to be saved. God has promised if I will confess Jesus before men, He will confess me before His Father. God has promised that if I receive Him, I will have eternal life." Those are some promises that should give us peace in the midst of chaos, and none of His words or promises will ever fail.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: