How does Psalm 85:6 connect with 2 Chronicles 7:14 on national repentance? Psalm 85:6—A Cry for Revival “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” • Spoken on behalf of the whole nation, not just individuals • Assumes that joy in God follows God–initiated revival • Looks back to previous moves of God (“again”) and longs for a fresh one 2 Chronicles 7:14—The Pathway to Revival “and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” • A covenant promise given at the dedication of the temple • Four clear commands to the nation: humble, pray, seek, turn • Three guaranteed responses from God: hear, forgive, heal Connecting the Two—Promise and Petition • 2 Chronicles 7:14 lays out God’s promise; Psalm 85:6 expresses the nation’s petition • Psalm 85:6 shows Israel taking the very steps God required: they are praying, seeking His face, yearning for land-wide healing • The plea for revival in Psalm 85 assumes the conditions of 2 Chronicles 7:14 have been or are being met—heartfelt humility and repentance Key Principles for National Repentance Today • Revival is God-given but people-conditioned: He alone revives, yet He waits for national humility • True repentance is more than regret; it is an about-face (“turn from their wicked ways”) • Joy and blessing are by-products; the primary goal is restored relationship with God Living the Connection—Personal Steps That Influence a Nation 1. Recognize spiritual drought (Psalm 85:6) 2. Humble yourself under God’s hand (1 Peter 5:6) 3. Pray with expectancy (Jeremiah 33:3) 4. Seek His face over His hand (Psalm 27:8) 5. Repent of specific sins (Isaiah 55:7) 6. Trust God to answer in His time and way (Habakkuk 3:2) Additional Scripture Echoes • Joel 2:12-14—“Return to Me with all your heart…Who knows? He may turn and relent.” • Hosea 6:1-3—“He will revive us after two days…that we may live in His presence.” • Acts 3:19—“Repent…so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” • Isaiah 57:15—God revives “the spirit of the lowly and the heart of the contrite.” |
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