Pray!

Pray!

and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 AMP

Solomon had just built a befitting house for God, through the provisions Daivd his father had made available before his death. In today's  value, the animals offered to God would amount to millions in any country's currency. God's glory filled the house that was built and the people rejoiced in all that God had done. The Lord honours all those who honour Him, and He will show Himself strong in the lives of all who surrender to Him. 

Then the note of caution: the public ministry and show were over, the people had returned to their homes with joy and provisions. The celebrations took at least 8 days, and it seems that after the glory filled the temple, God just remained silent. He didn't speak much in those days, at least, going by the records. However, when the public show was over, it was time for the private lessons. 

We can be so caught up in our public ministry that we neglect or fail to observe our private devotion. Solomon had spent time celebrating God in public, but God was more interested in Solomon's private life, and how he would make a success out of the assignment God wanted to give him. I cannot bribe God with an outward display of emotion and affection; God needs my heart to focus on the things that are truly important. 

The first thing God reminded Solomon about was the power and consequences of sin. It doesn't matter how beautiful the outward is; it doesn't matter how fervent or consistent my hypocrisy is; God sees beyond the physical. He calls us to consider who He is and what he wants from us. But for every sin, there is mercy. Today's extract is the expression of that mercy. 

God always punishes sin, no matter in whom it is found. He has no favourites when it comes to sin. But he ties his mercy to a particular set of people, the ones He calls my people. God may not bother too much with people who don't know Him or who haven't surrendered to Him, but for all who claim allegiance to God, you are the ones that will deliver the mercy that God offers. When punishment for sin comes, God is counting on His children to be the ones to put in the work and the sacrifices required to effect change. 

What do His people need to do: 1. Humble themselves; 2. Pray and seek my face; 3. Turn from their wicked ways. What does God promise in response: 1. He will hear from heaven; 2. He will forgive their sin; 3. He will heal their land. For every action by God's people, there is an equal and corresponding action. If I do nothing, I cannot expect something. Do I bear God's name and does God know me as His own? Today's extract was addressed to Israel, but as the Israel of God today, can God count on me to address sin in my life and camp, so that His mercy can be revealed? 

Let no one think s/he can make it on his/her own without God's help. If I get to a point where pride and sin set in, and I am not even aware of them in my life, how do I address them? If I do not know I need help, how would I seek it? Sin doesn't ring a bell, but its impact is eternal. God wants to do a great work in me, but I must deal with sin first. God doesn't hear the prayer of a man who lives in and is comfortable with sin. Healing cannot come if the root cause of sickness, which is sin, has not been addressed. God wants to do a great work, but when sin is at the gate as a witness, it is difficult. The cure: the steps above. The result: the benefits above. The choice: personal. The consequence: eternal. His time of favour is here.