Some Thoughts

With the drought and fires giving much of Australia an apocalyptic feel I thought I would try and address the idea that appeared recently by a well known sportsman in the news, that somehow God is doing this because of recent laws Australia had introduced around equality and abortion. 

First, what hogwash that is. As a follower of Jesus, I want the world to know that God loves them, no matter who they are, and he wants a relationship with them. He is a God of grace and mercy. 

Secondly,  the Bible says this in 2 Chronicles 7:12-15

Then one night the LORD appeared to Solomon and said, "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. [13] 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. [14] 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. [15] My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.

 

Now stay with me here as I put forward an idea.

It says that if God's people, the people called by his name, would humble themselves and pray God would heal their land. The Israelites were God's people. The apostle Paul tells us that followers of Jesus are the new Israel of God, the ones called by his name. So they are God's people.

Romans 9:25a NLT

Concerning the Gentiles, God says in the prophecy of Hosea, "Those who were not my people, I will now call my people."

So actually the people who are call to humble themselves are Christians, those called by his name. Unfortunately, over the years I've seen so many Christians respond in negative and judgemental ways to the people they are called to love. (This saddens me but I also try to forgive even if it's not easy as we are to love each other,  not judge each other).

So maybe, just maybe, it is Christians who need to humble themselves, seek the face of God, and repent and turn away from the attitudes of pride and judgement that seem to be so prevalent in some parts of the church. Maybe, if followers of Jesus choose to be humble before God and live in humility and love towards others, God will hear our prayers and heal our land. 

Whether you are a believer or not, I wanted to address this as so often the extreme views of the Bible are thrown around as truth when the context of the scripture must be considered. So often when we dig deeper the truth is far different. 

My prayer is that God's love be known to all,  that followers of Jesus (including me) seek relationship with him and others in love, repent from wrong attitudes and seek God for his healing of our land.