Thursday, July 2, 2015

July 2, 2015

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

Let’s get more specific with the “ifs” and “thens” of this great promise from God to His people!

There are three “ifs” God requires of His people in order to enjoy His four “thens”. Let’s review them together!

if my people, who are called by my name, will HUMBLE themselves”

Humility is a natural and appropriate response when His people remember who He is and who they are. He is THE Holy, Righteous, Almighty, Everlasting, All-Wise, Ever Present God of the universe and you are a fallen, flawed, arrogant, self-centered, sinful wretch. It is only His grace that has kept you from being destroyed and sent to a horrific hell for eternity.

If you have trouble humbling yourself before God you may have lost touch with the reality of Who He is and who you are. When you put Him in His rightful place it will put you in your proper realization and that should put you on your face before God.

“…if my people…..PRAY….”

God’s people, the people who are called by His Name, are people who pray!

Prayer is how His people talk to Him and hear from Him and involve Him in their daily lives.

How can you be in a relationship with someone, especially someone as significant as God, unless you often pray?

“….if my people…..SEEK MY FACE….”

God’s people humble themselves.

God’s people pray.

God’s people seek His face.

What does it mean to seek His face?

It means to prepare your heart so you are able to come into His presence and find His pleasure. When you want to establish intimacy with someone you must look into his face. That’s the great desire of those who are called by His Name!

“….if my people….TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS….”

You cannot bring your sinful attitudes and desires into the presence of God. To call upon Him and seek His face requires confession of sins and turning from sinful practices.

Repentance is the evidence of a deep and sincere sorrow over the sinfulness of your heart and the evil that results from that. Repentance is an intention to turn away from those sins and call upon God to change your heart and your mind.

IF you will do these four things He desires, these four things that will allow you to have an intimate relationship with Him, THEN He will keep His promises!

It’s your move!