If you look for it and listen, 2 Chronicles 7:14 has played in the background of 2020 … and continues today. When it would come to mind for me, I would focus my prayer on America’s leaders and the decision-makers, finally coming back around to myself. As God does with all scripture, when we return to it, he shows us new things. This time, it was conviction and
a different prayer focus found in the first few words.
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV).
If we weren’t sure who God was talking to in this verse, he repeats with clarification.
“My people” – not all people but the His people who belong to Him. There are many leaders and decision-makers who do not belong to Him.
“Called by my name” – not those who just say they are Christians, but those who are called, profess God as Father, Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Judge, and live accordingly (Philippians 2:12-13; John 14:6).
We all need a heart check. There are many who call themselves Christians but do not profess Jesus as LORD (ruler over all) and SAVIOR (the one true God who took my place for my own wretched sin). Matthew 7:21-23; Psalm 100:3; Isaiah 12:2; Romans 10:9-10
Believer's, God is talking to His Church:
1. “Humble” ourselves: God is calling us to humility, NOT self-righteousness and pride (Matthew 7:5; Ephesians 4:2).
2. “Pray”: God is calling us to intimacy with Him, NOT to spewing our opinions on people and over social media (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
3. “Seek my face” – God is calling us to seek Him (know Him through His Word), NOT to wander down rabbit holes of worldly information (Matthew 6:33; Romans 12:2).
4. “Turn from their wicked ways“– God is calling us to recognize our own sin, call it sin, and confess our sin, NOT to focus on pointing out and judging other’s sin (1 John 1:9).
Battle God’s way: What sin is God revealing that you need to confess and repent of?
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