If My People...
by Tammy Valdez
Executive Director of Ministry/Human Resources/Development
“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
– 2 Chronicles 7:14
Why would He say “If”?
Oh, maybe He knew we would be addicted to busyness and/or needing to be entertained. We can even grow weary doing good by taking on everyone else’s problems.
“…my people who are called by my name…”
That’s us—His Church.
“…will humble themselves…”
Humbling ourselves has to do with realizing our complete dependence on Him. It is acknowledging that He is God and we are not. It is letting go of worry—not trying to be in control.
“…and pray…”
Praying is simply talking to God. It doesn’t need to be eloquent, because He knows our heart. We don’t have to kneel or be in church—we can just talk to God inside our heart or aloud. Talking with Him helps change our perspective.
“…seek my face…”
Pursue a relationship with Him. Throughout the Bible the Lord uses relationships that we understand to describe our relationship with Him: friend, family member, spouse or child. He does this to demystify what it means to be in a relationship with Him. What do we do in these earthly relationships? We spend time with them, talk with them, and love them. We even get frustrated with them; however, we don’t quit working on the relationship.
“…and turn from their wicked ways;…”
This means to repent. To follow the Lord wholeheartedly—to be fully surrendered. Sure, we make mistakes and have to ask forgiveness. But this means we are intentionally following God’s ways (outlined in the Bible) to the best of our abilities, and not choosing only those things we agree with.
“…then…”
So if we humble ourselves and pray, as well as seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, then God will… It is a condition.
“…I will hear from heaven…”
God will hear us and He will understand us. We have a God who came to earth to experience life as we experience it through Christ. He hears our heart. He is so interested in us, He wants to know the thoughts, feelings and emotions that are behind the words we speak. He longs for us to speak with Him.
“…and will forgive their sin…”
God will forgive our sin. He says all we have to do is ask and we will receive.
“…and will heal their land.”
God will heal our land:
“Remember that all creation is eagerly waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” – Romans 8:19-21
God can make all things new.