Pray!

Pray!

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.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

These are the words of God, sent to Solomon at the dedication of the temple. A beautiful edifice had been built, many animals sacrificed and the materials used in the temple included gold. Any mortal man would marvel at the edifice, but like all things that God speaks on, he is not fooled by the outward. He focuses on the inner man, that part of us that is not open to other men, and where our thoughts are processed into actions. Solomon had built an edifice and wanted God to live in it. Of course God warned him: I will put my presence in it, but watch yourself. Just as he warned Solomon in those days, so does he warn us today: Watch yourself. 

God sets stock by the people who are his own. He has laid down the standard by saying that the prayer of a sinner is an abomination to God. I cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound. God is too pure to behold sin, so if I will get him to listen to me, I must first deal with sin in my life. God is looking for people who have submitted to him. He is looking for people whose hearts are under his total control and influence, and are depending on him for daily strength to live right. So as he seeks to impact the earth, he starts with these people. I must realise I am helpless without God, and that outside of him, I won't amount to anything. 

When that foundation is laid right, every other step makes sense. When I am his own, my prayers ascend to God in heaven. All the steps in today's extract - humble themselves, pray, seek my face, turn from their wicked ways - will lead to God's response in mercy toward the land. If I want God to intervene in my nation, the secret is in those steps listed above. Until we come to realise that concepts, theories, political and governance masterclasses will not solve the problem of sin, we will continue to struggle as a nation to be all that God intends. When God is given the right to rule, he will heal the land. It is first about me: am I a child of God?  If I am, then I am a tool in the hands of God to bring about the change this nation needs. Are you? God's time of favour is here.