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 Chron. 7:14)
HIS people, that’s you and me.
Humble themselves, one way is fasting. David ‘humbled’ himself with fasting. (Ps. 35:13)
Pray, and seek His face, sounds like a bit more than an occasional ascent to prayer. Pondering ‘seeking His face’.
Turn . . wicked ways. To me, this spells REPENTANCE!
THEN . . when will He hear from heaven and forgive? When His people, you and I, humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, turn!
I know this scripture is used a lot for things like National Day of Prayer and on a broader scale, but could there be a principle or two in there for us personally? We desire healing of our “land”, but do we really hear the first part of this verse?
Want some New Testament scripture?
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:4-10)
Grace for the ‘humble’ (those who recognize their sin)
Draw nigh to God, perhaps, seek His face? Prayer?
Cleanse, purify . . .repent?
Be afflicted, mourn, weep . . . humble yourselves.
These were just some ponderings for the day, any thoughts?
Relentlessly Pursuing, humility, His face and repentance.
2 comments:
Great post...I love the scripture you have chosen...something needed for my day.
Blessings.
Such good advice for a 'stiff-necked' and arrogant people. Joy is found in repentance. And as our pastor always says, 'If you can't think of any sin to repent, you can start with 'pride.'
Post a Comment