Verse of the Day 9-26-22

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 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 7:13-14

During times of moral decline and lack of spiritual concern, God sometimes judges his people through drought, disease, economic collapse or by withholding certain blessings. God’s promise to hear, respond and intervene-though originally given to Israel-applies to his people of every generation who meet the following four conditions. To bring spiritual revival, renewed purpose and restored blessing, believers must:

1. “Humbles themselves.” God’s people must recognize their failures and inabilities, show true sorrow for their sin and renew their commitment to follow God’s desires, plans and purposes. Humbling oneself means recognizing one’s spiritual poverty and desperate need for God’s mercy.
2. “Pray.” God’s people must desperately call on him for mercy and must completely trust and depend on him for help. The prayer must come from. a faithful heart, and we must continue to call out to God until he answers.
3. “Seek my face.” God’s people must turn toward God and seek God’s presence with passion. They must not do this for selfish reasons or simply to avoid difficulty or disaster, but so that they can fulfill his purposes and advance his kingdom.
4. ” Turn from their wicked ways.” God’s people must genuinely repent for going their own way and resisting the will of God. This involves confessing and forsaking specific sins and anything that has taken priority over God. It also means depending on God for mercy, forgiveness and spiritual cleansing.

People who are determined to maintain their commitment to God through times of national spiritual rebellion and wickedness should pray that God might inspire widespread spiritual revival through his faithful followers.

Today’s Bible Readings:

Isaiah 48:12-50:11, Ephesians 4:17-32, Psalm 69:1-18 and Proverbs 24:5-6