“If My people will humble themselves . . then I will hear from Heaven.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
“What God asks is never complicated and rarely difficult, but always required.”
My thoughts today are about “God’s terms.”
Is there ever a time that you do not need to have God’s gracious attention? From the Bible’s record, apparently there is never a time that God does not hear when a person prays humbly and earnestly. When Abraham prayed, God was willing to spare even the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, if just ten righteous people could be found. The whole story of Jonah turns on the desire of God to send the prophet to the city of Nineveh to warn them and turn their hearts to God, which they did much to Jonah’s displeasure.
But also, there are things that God asks you to do. His promise, as always, is prefaced by a spiritual initiative that you must take if you wish to have God’s grace. What God asks is never complicated, and rarely difficult, but always required. Obedience always costs you something and is usually at cross grain to what comes naturally to you. In the context of today’s verse, God asks four things of you and me:
(1) Turn from self-promotion to God promotion. “If My people, who are called by My name . .“
To whose interests and priorities are you committed, God’s or yours? See Matthew 6:33.
(2) Turn from self-reliance to God reliance. “Will humble themselves and pray . .“
You truly pray when you humbly and honestly recognize your need of God.
(3) Turn from self-direction to God direction. ”And seek My face . .” See Psalm 27:8.
You cannot choose your own way and have God’s attention. See Psalm 37:5.
(4) Turn from self-indulgence to self-examination. “And turn from their wicked ways . .”
Until you want to walk righteously, God cannot work in your life. See 2 Corinthians 13:5.
The reality is this: God sets the terms; they are non-negotiable. God simply says, “If you will, I will!” This is God’s promise, “If My people will humble themselves and pray . . then I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. God is looking for a person who wants Him to do what He has been waiting to do, when that person is willing to do what God asks them to do.
My prayer for you today is that you will be that person for whom God looks.