Doing Our Part
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
King Solomon had the honor of building the temple that his father, David, had envisioned. In the chapter that precedes this verse, King Solomon stands before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire community of Israel with his hands lifted up in prayer and says to the Lord, “If your people are defeated by their enemies, if the skies are shut up and there is no rain, or if there is a famine, a plague, a crop disease or other disaster because of their sin, but they pray about their troubles and turn from their wicked ways, then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive.”
When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple.
For the next seven days the people celebrated the Festival of Shelters. On the eighth day there was a closing ceremony and Solomon sent the people home. Some time later, the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night and responded to his prayer, “At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls,” the Lord said, “or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”
God agrees to forgive His people when they go astray, but He gives three instructions:
#1 Humble yourself. The word humble comes from a Latin word meaning low. Make yourself low. In other words, admit that you have sinned against God. Don’t try to justify your sin, just bow before him and admit that you have gone astray.
#2 Pray and seek His face. God knows what you need before you even ask, but He longs for relationship with you. Seek His face. Look into His eyes. See Him for who He is not just what He can do for you.
#3 Turn from your wicked ways. The word repent simply means to turn. Turn away from doing the thing that got you in trouble in the first place and turn toward God.
“THEN”, God says, “I will hear, forgive and restore.”
So many times we want God to do His part, but we are not willing to do ours.