Paying Attention

Father God, as we look at Your Word this morning, I ask Lord, that You help us not to be distracted, that our ears not just hear, but listen and understand; and give us eyes to see Father, without the scales from worry, busyness of life, lack of focus, and the cares of this world.  Help us Lord to keep or minds on You and what You are able to do; and to lift our eyes to the hills, because our help comes from You.  Help us to depend on you Father God because, it’s all, about You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

2 Chronicles 7:14 reads, “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 heal their land.”

I see so many people posting this or sharing it on social media.  But do we really know what it means?

I’m going to try to break down this verse today so, hopefully, everyone will get it.  Hopefully, we will be able to listen and understand; hopefully, we will be able to see better.  In the end, I hope and pray that this verse will help us all to be more like Jesus; and have a greater passion, for Christ.

First: If –defined as supposed that, or on condition that:  If; not when.  It’s like God is telling us to get busy, before He will act.  We have to do what we are told; be obedient, and demonstrate our faith through obedience; then God, will follow up on His promises.  So if you want to know why God hasn’t acted yet, maybe it’s because we’re still stuck on, if.  Now who is we?

Next: My people – His people, God’s people, church folk, believers, people in the genealogy of Christ, gentiles.  Ephesians 1:4 reads, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”  And please notice it’s plural.  He didn’t say, if some of my people.  He is talking to all of us.

Then: Called by My name – What name?  We were chose in Christ, so Christians; His chosen ones; His pedigree.

Followed by: Will humble themselves – Will; not may, should, or could, but will humble themselves.  To humble means to lower oneself in importance.  Proverbs 3:7 and Romans 12:3 tells us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought.  And even Jesus said He came to serve not be served; washed the disciples feet; took to death on the cross when He could have called 10,000 angels .  Themselves is us; but you take care of you!

And: Pray – How you do prayer is up to you, but you have to be sincere.  Kneeling, standing, in your prayer closet, in bed, laying prostrate on the floor.  Just give your whole heart and whole self to God.  James 5:16 reads, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”  Effectual is producing or capable of producing desired results, so God sees a heart of sincerity.  Fervent is with great intensity, so God sees the passion.

And: Seek my face – Crying out with our whole heart expecting to see God move; expecting that He will speak to you; expecting He is going to do what you ask.

And: Turn from their wicked ways – Stop sinning (best you can because none of us are perfect); you can completely stop doing evil; completely stop doing wickedness (evil and all morally wrong stuff); Just stop It!

Those ands are powerful, and if we do our part, they are followed by the promise:  I will hear, forgive, heal – Then God will hear you, then God will forgive you; then the Almighty God will heal your land.  God will not be taken for granted.  He holds the whole world; He holds us; and He holds the answer in HIS hands.  The Almighty God was, is, and forever will be In Control!  We must do our part and God will respond.

Isaiah 55:6-7 reads, “Seek the Lord while you can find him.  Call on him now while he is near.  Let the wicked change their ways, and banish the very thought of doing wrong.  Let them turn to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them.  Yes, turn to our God; for he will forgive generously.”

Lord God thank You for today, and thank You for the opportunity to experience and share your Holy Word.  I ask Father, that you will help each of us, see our part in bringing the cleansing power and healing, that we seek from You.  Help us Lord to humble ourselves, to pray; to seek Your face; and turn from our wicked ways.  Then Almighty God, we can expect you to hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land.  And not just the United States Father, but the whole world, which you created for Your glory, and have in Your hands.  Help us all to be better people; to be more like Jesus; to have a greater passion for Christ.  In Jesus’ precious name, amen!