If My People...

2 Chronicles 7:11-14 This was written at a time when the nation of Israel was possibly in their highest place of peace and solidarity in their history. I’m not naive enough to believe that everyone in the nation had a perfect relationship with God, but this was certainly a high point. God is talking about sending drought, locusts, and plagues. Incongruous? No, not all. When one buys an appliance or some such item, very often in the papers that come with it, is usually a list of places to take it when you have trouble; even though at the time the appliance is working just fine. I believe that God was telling them that, “You’re human, you’re flawed by sin, and things won’t always be just fine. You need a way to get your broken relationship in for repair." This is what verse 14 is all about: “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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.” This is God’s recipe for getting things back on track. You’ll notice that it is written to “My people” who are called by “My Name”. Written first of all to His people Israel and then to His people who carry the name of Christ. Here, I believe we have the formula for reconciliation and restoration on every level; from national to individual. There are four steps, and none can be left out. First there needs to be a humbling, a realization and an admission that, “I can’t do it.” Our answers, our pride, our ego needs to be put aside. God and God alone has the answer. Second, we need to pray, to pour out our heart before Him, calling things what they are, by their right names. Thirdly, we need to seek His face until we know that we have His attention and He has ours. Fourthly, we need to do some radical house cleaning, “turn from our wicked ways." Sometimes everything needs to go, and we need to start again from the top on “His page". His forgiveness and healing will soon begin to follow.