“12Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: ‘I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. 13When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14if my people who are called by my name 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. 15Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.’” – 2 Chronicles 7:12-15 (ESV)
I have studied these verses a number of times over the past 5 years. God again leads me here when I need it. I have studied, “seek”, “heal”, and “sin”, and now the word “pray” and that is certainly not missed out here.
The LORD speaks to Solomon and clearly lets him know that He is there. But for Him to remain, there are some things that must be met and kept. The people have to have a change of heart and “humble themselves” in his presence. They need to earnestly look for or “seek” Him out at every turn and avoid sin as they “turn from their wicked ways”. I see this as all part prayer. I have to be humble, and seek Him as I turn from wickedness so that I am able to commune with God. When I am able to do so, then He will be there with me. He will hear me and heal me and will remain with me as promised.
It is not a passive process. God wants to hear from me earnestly. That is done through my prayer and communion with Him. I am to break down and allow myself to be guided by God. That means that I have to take the actions stated by Him in these verses and when I do, God will remain with me, hearing, healing, and forgiving me.
What does your communication with God look like? Are you taking action? What if you were to be earnest in your prayer and seek Him out as you turn away from wickedness to be heard, healed and forgiven?
Trevor's Thoughts 