The word gospel means good news. What is this good news? In spite of the fact that we sin and hurt ourselves and other people with our sin, in spite of the fact that the judgment and punishment that we deserve comes back to hang over our heads, God in his mercy loves us and saves us. Herein is love. Not that we loved God but that God loved us and when we were still sinners, Christ died for us. That news is so good that it is life changing.

But people often don’t receive this good news because they don’t think they are so bad that they need saving. Others may be wretches who need amazing grace, but they don’t think that they do. The people of Israel did not think that they were really all that bad. OK, they did a little idolatry. They worshipped at the altar of Baal and the sexy shrine of Asherah, but not every day. They cheated their neighbors and were unkind to the poor, but not that much. They did some good things too.

It was not until their sin brought utter destruction and exile that they realized how bad they really were. They mocked God’s messengers, despised his word and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy (v 16). Our text tells the story of God’s judgment and their destruction as a people.

This account in Chronicles was written for those who unexpectedly found themselves back in the land after 70 years of exile. Coming back to the Promised Land, back to a place they had never been to before, was like a dream. Because of the covenant love of God, the Lord did not forsake them even when they ceased to be a people. This passage ends, not with destruction and judgment, but mercy. Cyrus, the king of Persia, made a decree that the people of the Lord should return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

What caused this remarkable event? Was it something that the people did? Absolutely not. The text records nothing that the people did to deserve to go back to the Promised Land. In v 22 we read that the Lord stirred up the king’s heart to issue a decree. We read that the Lord determined to do this and said so beforehand through his prophets. Jeremiah said there would be 70 years in exile, then the Lord would bring them back. Isaiah even mentions the king—Cyrus—by name. The restoration comes from the mercy of God. And one of the results of God’s mercy is a change in the people’s hearts. Mercy comes before repentance.

I cannot underscore this enough. The good news of the gospel is not that God allows us to come to him and make some sort of deal. The good news is that we are forgiven in Christ. God is not asking us to clean ourselves up and try harder in order to get his mercy. The gospel is that God first gives his mercy and his mercy changes us.

This is true of us as individuals and also true for nations. For our land to be secure in righteousness we need God’s mercy. The fate of our nation does not rely on our best efforts, our new tricks, or being lucky. It does not depend on a new program or a Christian political action committee. It depends on the mercy of God. We must be careful not to think that the redemption of society is something we can bring about. If all we want is what human changes can accomplish, our sights are too low.

If we are bent on doing something for our society, then we should pray for our nation and our leaders. We should look to God for his grace and mercy, not only for our own salvation, but also for blessings on our country. Prayer is powerful because it connects us to the Almighty who is All-powerful.

I read a description of prayer as "holding the door of heaven open for God’s mercy to come through." I like that. As praying people, we become the door of heaven for God’s mercy to come through. Think about that. The more constant you are in prayer, the bigger and better door you will be.

What is the hope we have for our own country or any county? It is the mercy of God. What is our hope for individual life and liberty? It is the mercy of God. Do you know the mercy and love that God shows through Jesus Christ?