It's Your Watch on Fraud Patrol

By Frank King

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.
— 2 Chronicles 7:14.

This well-known text was, several years ago, the key scripture in a national movement to take back America for God called the 7:14 Movement. The scripture not only applies to nations and churches. It also applies to cities and neighborhoods. But mostly, I find, it applies to me.

A few months back in a conversation with a brother at church the subject of my military service came up, and I admitted embarrassment that I had not been the ideal military man. The time I served (1968-1974) was a pivotal time for America, and represented a time of rebellion and searching in my life. Although God met me many times during those years, I never surrendered my life to Him, and in fact stubbornly and carnally held on to any control I could. This was evident in my military evaluations in which I was always gauged as lacking the esprit de corps and discipline of a military man.

My wife Susan has many times speculated on what would happen if those who knew me then could see me now. Especially shocked would be those who were in command during my service. I came to an altar, and the transformation Jesus has worked in my life would astound those who watched me slack and rebel at every turn. In place of the rebellious, anchorless seaman, they would see a disciplined ministry leader.

Or would they? What if they could really see me as I am, down inside? The closer I get to Jesus, the more I realize how messed up I really am. Am I reverting back to that person I was before meeting Jesus? A plot of land that is left to its own will again grow the weeds it had; the seeds lie dormant in the soil, awaiting the right conditions to flourish. This is true of weeds and wheat. It is also true of our spiritual condition. I still struggle with control, carnality, and stubbornness. If I don’t continually strive to return to my altar, I will gradually revert to the man I was before meeting Christ. Looking at the scripture quoted above, I see that it is not just a text to be used by a people hoping for God’s healing of their nation. The promise is a corporate one, but the requirements are individual. Our land will be healed when we, as individual Christians, follow God’s plan for healing. I must continually be humble, pray, seek, and turn. But what does that mean for me, today?

Frank must be humble. I have grown confident in my own works. When another asks me to assist I feel, and probably radiate, an attitude of being put-upon. This tells me that my ego is larger than the work God is trying to do in my life. I must remember from whence I come that I will not return. I must remember that it is God’s grace and not my strength that keeps me saved and serving. The Lord is building this house.

Frank must pray. Before I was saved, I only turned to prayer when the crisis hit. The final exam, the financial challenge, the hangover that felt like my death throes. If I am not careful and prayerful, I will get back into that habit, only praying as the needs get totally overwhelming. What better plan than to pray daily and be always in prayer, addressing each challenge rather than waiting until the crisis hits. My first option in all challenges, little and large throughout the day, should be prayer.

Frank must seek. Do I really want to seek God’s face? My kids used to play a game where they covered their eyes, and thought that meant I could not see them. Sometimes I play the same game: if I do get close enough to see God, He sees me. Perhaps, I think, God will only observe me when I am seeking Him; therefore I can hide my sin by not seeking Him. Of course, I know He sees all, even when I am not close to Him; or at that time maybe more so. But by seeking His face daily, I am the one who is changed. Yes, in seeking Him, I see my faults and shortcomings. This is God’s will for my life because God will only change that which I acknowledge. If I hide my sin, He cannot heal it.

Frank must turn. Once I humble myself, pray, and seek God’s face, He will show me not only who I am, but who I could be if He has control. He will guide me in turning from the wicked ways to His way, and I will be more useful to Him and His Church.

So, in Susan’s mind, my cohorts from the past see me and marvel. Although my ego would like to take credit for my transformation, the motivation and change was divine. Oh, I guess I have made some plans that came to fruition, but the primary characteristics that would surprise my Navy comrades were all developed as a result of divine conviction and purpose. When I lay down my pride and humbled myself, said a simple prayer and sought God’s face; when I turned from my sin, He heard me and forgave me and began the healing that continues today. Not that I have arrived, for sure. Every day I realize how lacking I am in the traits and foundations that God would work in my life. Every day I must humble, pray, seek and turn.

We cannot change the past, and I was definitely not your example of the disciplined military man during my hitch in the Navy, and yes, I still feel a little like a fraud when I evaluate my service to the Church over the last 35 years. But God is a redeeming God and He will produce fruit in spite of my failed attempts to be like Him.