Christian Living
“If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 AMPC
Here are 4 things about the group of persons described in 2 Chronicles 7:14…
1.They were recognizable as God’s people.
Yet….
2. Their ‘land’; the place of their habitation, was sick.
3. They were not humble towards God; they wouldn’t pray or seek God’s face or intervention.
4. They indulged in wrongdoing.
Obviously we see a lot of inconsistencies of character reflected in the lives of these people. Although they were seen and recognized as God’s people, they didn’t really seem to acknowledge the responsibility or expectations of such privilege. Their ‘sick land’ may be likely linked to their sinful and wicked ways. And to worsen their situation, they refused (ignorantly or intentionally) to humble themselves before God, thus making their unpleasant experience no better.
God’s people shouldn’t be comfortably dwelling in ‘sick lands’…. this is incongruous with the covenant.
Here’s God’s recommendation for a turnaround in the experiences of His people…
1. They should Humble themselves before God
To be humble before God is to reverence, trust and love Him. See Bible Perspectives on Humility.
2. They should Pray (seek the Lord’s intervention).
As unbelievable as it may sound, it is actually very easy to become complacent about seeking the Lord’s intervention. Christians who are older in the faith are unfortunately more likely to be guilty of this than newborns. The newborn Christian very often asks God for everything, unlike the older ones who have learnt to apply the Word through making faith confessions as well as acting on the Word.
The kind of prayer God refers to in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is not confessions. Confessions and faith declarations are awesome but sometimes we might just need to bow down our knees, lift our hands and voices to Heaven and ask for God’s intervention. We might need to spend more time fellowshiping/worshipping God and holding our peace. Sometimes, we just need to keep quiet and listen to what God has to say concerning our situation. His wisdom can turn years of oppression and depression around in a twinkling of an eye.
3. They should turn from their wicked ways (repent).
Not just to repent, but to repent and forsake wickedness, sin and all wrongdoings. Again, wickedness shouldn’t even be mentioned amongst God’s people but alas, it is. And this is not exclusive to the 2 Chronicles old testament people, no, some Christians do not represent God in the way they live.
“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
I John 1:6, 8-9 NKJV
1 John 1: 6-9 wasn’t exactly speaking to unbelievers (selah).
4. They should seek the Lord’s face
This actually means to inquire of the Lord about the right thing to do, that is to ask for wisdom (Proverbs 2:4-6).
By making these recommendations, God expresses His love nature and His mercy. He shows His willingness and eagerness to deliver/save His people from their bondage/oppression.
When we reach out to God for help from the place of oppression, bondage, depression or captivity, we find that all along He’s been waiting to help us. Indeed Jesus already delivered us and by the wisdom of God we become privy to steps/actions to take in order to have more pleasant experiences in life.
Praise God!
“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?–which means, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me [deserting Me and leaving Me helpless and abandoned]?” [Ps. 22:1.]Mark 15:34 AMPC
“For David says in regard to Him, I saw the Lord constantly before me, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken or overthrown or cast down [from my secure and happy state]. Therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted exceedingly; moreover, my flesh also will dwell in hope [will encamp, pitch its tent, and dwell in hope in anticipation of the resurrection]. For You will not abandon my soul, leaving it helpless in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor let Your Holy One know decay or see destruction [of the body after death]. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will enrapture me [diffusing my soul with joy] with and in Your presence. [Ps. 16:8-11.]”
Acts 2:25-28 AMPC
