“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 Chronicles 7:14, KJV.
Those words spoken to Solomon from God still strike a cord today. The Old Testament is a collection of books that should not be discarded because we now have the New Testament. For we must remember what Christ said in John 5:39, KJV, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” The Old Testament is filled with prophecy and rings of truth now and forever. In studying God’s word before Jesus walked the earth one can see His extended grace and mercy…especially with the children of Israel.
This one scripture instructs us to do four different things. The first part of the scripture tells us to humble ourselves. To humble ourselves means to be meek, mild, gracious…basically to come to God with the innocence of a child. “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me,” Matthew 18:3-5, KJV.
Secondly, we ought to pray. How simple is that? The road map is laid out for us in the book of Matthew, chapter 6 verses 9 through 13. This is seeking God, honoring Him, communing with Him, thanking Him for His continuous grace and mercy, and appreciating Him because of who He is and not just because of what He can give us. Nowadays, prayer for some has become a venue of just asking for things. We have to learn that it should first be a way of praising God, acknowledging that He is our source of everything we’ll ever need (reference Matthew 6:33).
Thirdly, God instructed in this passage of scripture for us to seek His face. Seeking the face of God means to constantly lean on Him in the good and bad times; embracing Him as our refuge of covering and protection. Such as when Moses proclaimed, “The Lord is my Banner” in the book of Exodus.
The fourth instruction from God here is to turn from wicked ways. We cannot live an unclean life and expect for God to bless us. We have all been born with a sinful nature, but Jesus redeems those who come to Him with a pure heart. If you aren’t saved, you don’t have to continue living in sin…God delivers and God saves. He will teach you by way of His Holy Spirit to walk after the Spirit and not the flesh. All we have to be is willing. And if we do these things, the scripture states: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God promises to hear our prayers…if we obey His commands.
“Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place,” 2 Chronicles 7:15.
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