2 Chronicles 7:14 Humility And Turning

“if my people, 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

Solomon had built and dedicated the new temple for God, who came down and inhabited it. During the night God appeared to Solomon to let him know that He heard his prayers and saw the work he had done. Then God tells Solomon that if His people, after walking away from Him, choose to humble themselves, repent and come back to Him, He will hear them.

This verse is a very commonly quoted verse by many believers. It is most common when things are going bad in the nation.

The “wicked ways” that is mentioned in this verse, is often looked at as the deep sinful practices of people in this world. Although it is true that some believers have turned from God and followed some wicked ways of this world, there can be more to those ways than just following this world.

Jesus had come to seek and save the lost in this world. When Jesus was getting ready to leave the earth, He told the disciples to go and make disciples in all of the world. Believers were to continue to do as Jesus had done. They were to be a witness of who He is and what He has done and will do.

Believers who have chosen not to do what Jesus told them to do, have fallen into wicked ways by omission. When people are not being told about Jesus, or are not being taught what Jesus taught, they will not follow God correctly. Those who are not being a witness and a teacher of the ways of Jesus, are living in sin. It is not gross “big” sins, but it is still sin.

God told Solomon that it was His people who had to humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways. It was not to the people of the world that He spoke to.

How are you living your life today?

You may not be living in some great, horrible sin, but are you being the witness of Jesus today to those around you. If you are not doing that, you are still living in a wicked way.

You definitely need to turn from all sin, but do not forget that in that process you must also begin to do the work God has called  you to do…be His witness. If you do one and not the other, you are still living in sin. Humble yourself and turn today.

I pray today that you will know God’s desire for your life; that you will be a witness for Jesus; that you will turn from all sin; and that you will seek to live fully for God.