Many are familiar with 2 Chronicles 7:14
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 will forgive their sin and heal will their land.
There has never been a time in my lifetime when I desire more than ever for our land to be healed. This verse tells us clearly, with the conditions explained, the way forward for this to happen. Isn’t that so like our loving Father. There is a problem and He provides the answer for the most seemingly impossible situations, because He is a God of love and mercy, a restoring God. Nothing is too hard for Him. But as is often the way, you and I as believers have a strategic part to play to see a resolution to the problem and most of all to take action to see the desired result. I, like many of you, am believing for a great awakening for the church, not only in NZ but worldwide. The word ‘awakening’ infers we have been asleep. For our beautiful Aotearoa to be in the state it’s in we have to question how ‘awake’ we have been.
Let’s look at this verse in bite size pieces.
God in His mercy is calling us to prayer, to humble ourselves. I like what C.S. Lewis said “A really humble man will not be thinking about humility; he will not be thinking about himself at all.”
I know I have failed in praying when I should, and put myself before others when I shouldn’t. I repent. To ‘seek’ means to crave, to require as a necessity. Jesus has not always been Lord and I’ve done things my way. I REPENT.
To ‘seek His face’ means to seek God’s presence.
Well respected prophet Bobby Connor has said that the greatest need in the body of Christ is His presence. God’s presence is with me all the time but I know for myself I sense God’s presence the most when I am worshipping Him to my favourite songs on Spotify or when He speaks a fresh revelation through His word. There are no shortcuts in our relationship with our Maker. Worship and spending time with the Holy Spirit in the word are vital for our ongoing relationship with our Heavenly Father. I REPENT of neglecting my relationship with God and being distracted with other things. God is speaking all the time and wanting to lavish you and me, His bride, with His love.
Do I have any ‘wicked’ (disagreeable, unpleasant, giving pain) ways that I need to turn away from? Am I always living out of faith? Hebrews 3:12 says “Take care, brothers and sisters, that there not be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart (which refuses to trust and rely on the Lord), a heart that turns away from the living God.” I REPENT. I haven’t ALWAYS been pleasant and agreeable and no doubt have caused pain by my words or actions. My faith has wavered at times and I’ve slipped into unbelief. I REPENT.
When I live a life of repentance ‘I will hear from heaven’ and after knowing God most of my life I can testify to the fact that His voice has saved me, led me, encouraged me, comforted me, warned me, strengthened me and empowered me for which I am eternally grateful.
Lord Jesus I desire to be a true representative of yours on planet earth and I thank you that you are a God who sees my weaknesses is loving and forgiving and is always cheering me on to be more like You.
Thank you Lord that you will heal our land of Aotearoa. Show me my part.