In addition to faith, the renewal of the mind, and a sense of freedom, community also plays a role in help us experience personal healing.
In my previous articles, I discussed the following:
Let’s now take a look at how the community can also help you heal in addition to the above three elements that make up the path to personal healing.
The foundation of our entire reflection comes out of 2 Chronicles 7: 14,
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 will forgive their sin and heal their land. ESV.
We’ll use this verse later and towards the end of the article.
But, in the meantime, and to help you get some background around this text, you should know that initially, the two books of Chronicles were apart of a more massive book.
This more massive book contained both 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah. It offered a historical narration of the Israelites from Adam to the lives of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Notice also that the Chronicles use Old Testament books of Samuel and Kings (1 and 2) to enhance David and Solomon’s glory.
In other words, the two Chronicles stress three things, which will help us understand why we need community and how it can help us heal.
The Power of Belonging to a Community
Read 2 Chronicles 7: 21-22.
These two verses speak to what happens if Solomon, as the leader, chooses not to keep God’s statutes and commandments.
And, the consequences of his disobedience to God would affect the people of Israel over whom God has established him as king.
The house (the temple and the community) God has consecrated will suffer as a result to the point that everyone else will notice the pain.
Being God’s people implies keeping God’s statutes and commandments whether you’re a King or not.
In other words, it means three things:
-
-
- First, believing in Christ makes us all children of Abraham (Galatians 3: 7, 29).
- Second, out of our faith in Christ, we become fellow citizens with God’s people (Ephesians 2: 11-22).
- Third, we become a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation (1 Peter 2: 9).
-
[bctt tweet=”When we become God’s people, God brings no disaster on us!” username=””]
God’s rule and reign in our lives helps us experience healing
Go back to 2 Chronicles 7 and focus on verse 16,
“For now, I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.” ESV.
God’s plan is:
-
-
- We, as God’s people, bear God’s name forever.
- We, as God’s eyes and heart are in us all the time.
-
The scripture refers to the first temple in Israel. But, remember that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6: 19).
What that means is bearing God’s name and having God’s eyes and heart with us, apply to you and I, as individual followers of Jesus Christ.
Also, understand that God’s plan means:
- God wants people to know God through you (God’s name).
- God wants to establish a personal relationship with you (God’s heart).
- God wants you to see others and the world the way God sees them (God’s eyes).
Choosing to live by God’s plan makes God’s rule and reign so real in your life. And, as a result, you experience God’s healing presence in you daily.
The Power of Corporate Worship
[bctt tweet=”Healing takes place in the community only when we do the following: 1)we humble ourselves; 2)we pray and seek God’s face; and 3)we turn from our wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7: 14).” username=””]
There’s so much power in choosing to belong to a community of people who fear God.
[bctt tweet=”And, ‘God-fearing people’ does not imply that they are righteous. They are just people like you, sinners in need of the saving grace of God. What makes them God-fearing is their daily choice to let God rule and reign in their lives.” username=””]
Jesus, himself, said it once,
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18: 20. NIV).
God’s presence is all that we need for healing, redemption, and restoration!
In summary
You can experience healing, but not always on your own because you need a community to support you. Pray about what kind of small group of God-fearing people you can associate with, in case you don’t have any. If you can’t find one, talk to your Pastor or me.
