Articles
Four Conditions
Four Conditions & Three Blessings
Rick Lanning
"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 their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Do you know what is going on when God makes this famous quote? Solomon has just spent years building the spectacular Temple to God and dedicated it with the sacrifice of 22,000 bulls and 120,000 sheep! The entire nation of Israel was on hand to witness this historic event and to hear this famous wise man offer a prayer for God to always bless His people in this place. Jehovah answers that He indeed will… IF the king remains faithful, and IF the people refuse to bow to false gods. IF the nation does wander into sin and receives a curse of famine or pestilence, and IF they then follow the four conditions laid out in this verse, THEN God will hear and return to them three blessings. What He said to “My people” then, He still repeats to “My people” today. Pay attention. Each of these conditions are still part of our salvation.
Condition 1: “humble themselves.” Humility is always God’s first demand in all situations of forgiveness. No humility, no forgiveness. "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble… Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you doubleminded… Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:7-10).
Condition 2: “and pray.” No child of God has ever been forgiven without petitioning Him for His grace and mercy (Hebrews 4:14-16). John put it bluntly: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
Condition 3: “and seek My face.” This is more, far more, than prayer, it is a desire for intimate fellowship with our Maker. Fellowship is a sacred closeness. I yearn for unity and oneness as a son with my Father. David said it beautifully: “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, LORD, I will seek.’ Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation” (Psalm 27:8-9). Condition 4: “and turn from their wicked ways.” Stop sinning! Start living… for God’s glory! This is Biblical repentance based on “godly sorrow leading to salvation not to be regretted” (2 Corinthians 7:9- 11). You will never regret turning from your wicked ways. Never!
Three Blessings follow God’s conditions: 1. I will hear from heaven. 2. I will forgive their sin. 3. I will heal their land. Do you believe God is a promise keeper? If so, today, right now, while you are thinking about your stricken conscience caused by sin(s), humble yourself, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from your wicked ways. That done, receive the promised blessings of answered prayer, forgiveness and healing. Trust me, you will never be at peace with God, or yourself, until you do.
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