Wednesday, February 23, 2022
"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." 2 Chronicles 7:14
Call it God's "4-3 Plan" if you wish. If we'll do 4 things He will do 3 things. If we, His people, will: (1) humble ourselves; (2) pray; (3) seek His face; (4) turn from our wicked ways, then He will: (1) hear from heaven; (2) forgive our sin; (3) heal our land.
There is an apparent progression to what God expects. Humility is absolutely the starting point. “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6. It is a humble person who will pray, and seek God's face. A humble person is not too proud to say, "I was wrong," and will then turn from their wicked ways.
The one acting from genuine humility can expect to be heard by God, forgiven of their sin, and their territory healed. Some would say the land is the nation of their residence which, by extension, it is, but the land is primarily their territory, the church, the body of Christ. The community of Christ can expect healing and blessings when humble followers of Christ act per these directives.
Nothing is easier than looking at that which is wrong around us. We can lament the state of the economy, environment, political climate, etc., but much is beyond our personal ability to change. What we can change is our attitude, prayer, and conduct. God's favor on His people who do such can and will extend to much of what we see that is wrong around us. The best way to impact external wrongs is to have the right internals, as 2 Chronicles 7:14 prescribes.
Change begins with us. Seeking a humble attitude through diligent prayer and repentance places us within God's favor and grace. That favor and grace extends to all the territory our life encompasses. That sounds like a great way to have a great impact.
Pastor Steve
"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." 2 Chronicles 7:14
Call it God's "4-3 Plan" if you wish. If we'll do 4 things He will do 3 things. If we, His people, will: (1) humble ourselves; (2) pray; (3) seek His face; (4) turn from our wicked ways, then He will: (1) hear from heaven; (2) forgive our sin; (3) heal our land.
There is an apparent progression to what God expects. Humility is absolutely the starting point. “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6. It is a humble person who will pray, and seek God's face. A humble person is not too proud to say, "I was wrong," and will then turn from their wicked ways.
The one acting from genuine humility can expect to be heard by God, forgiven of their sin, and their territory healed. Some would say the land is the nation of their residence which, by extension, it is, but the land is primarily their territory, the church, the body of Christ. The community of Christ can expect healing and blessings when humble followers of Christ act per these directives.
Nothing is easier than looking at that which is wrong around us. We can lament the state of the economy, environment, political climate, etc., but much is beyond our personal ability to change. What we can change is our attitude, prayer, and conduct. God's favor on His people who do such can and will extend to much of what we see that is wrong around us. The best way to impact external wrongs is to have the right internals, as 2 Chronicles 7:14 prescribes.
Change begins with us. Seeking a humble attitude through diligent prayer and repentance places us within God's favor and grace. That favor and grace extends to all the territory our life encompasses. That sounds like a great way to have a great impact.
Pastor Steve