In the midst of escalating evils in many countries, people are grouping together for week-long and month-long fasting and prayer. When a land is plagued by overwhelming acts of violence, we should know that the Lord looks at the heart of its people. Out of the heart, all the issues of life spring forth. (Proverbs 4:23)
A proud heart and a haughty spirit will lead to the path of destruction but a humble heart receives its just reward. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) says, “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Notice there is a big ‘If’ in the verse. There are conditions to the promise of God.
Isaiah talks about a rebellious nation who come to make sacrifice but their hands are full of blood. Isaiah 1:16-17 (NKJV) says, “Wash yourselves, make yourself clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” If we fulfil these promises, we can expect God to work on our behalf, even in hopeless situations.
God’s promise to heal the land is conditional; if the people do not turn from their wickedness, His judgement will fall on them. You cannot fool God! You cannot be humble for a while because you want something and then go back to your old selfish lifestyle and proud, boastful heart. Don’t you know that the Lord searches the heart; all that you possess can be taken away in a flash!
When we look at the degradation of once beautiful countries, how apt 2 Chronicles 7:21(ESV) is. “And at this house, which was exalted, everyone passing by will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?” Verse 22 tells us that it is because they abandoned the LORD God of their fathers… therefore has He brought all this disaster on them.” We should learn from history!
Surely, our fathers will be turning in their grave at the calamity that has befallen the land they worked so hard to establish. Yet, what do their children and grandchildren do? They look at evil and call that entertainment. They indulge in selfish, ego enhancing idle talk, to the detriment of others. They look at the lewd conduct of others and find it amusing, passing messages on to their friends like wildfire. We do not have to buy statues to say we serve other gods; anything we focus all our energies on, becomes our gods.
A humble heart is a heart that does not puff itself up and is not boastful. Did you know that our Lord Jesus Christ came to earth as a humble servant of God? He did the will of His Father right to the end. He lived as an example for us to follow. We all know who the father of pride is… and we know the consequences of pride is a big fall from grace!
A humble heart enters God’s presence with a contrite spirit. We weep bitter tears about our reprobate mind and self-indulgent body. We ask for forgiveness and the grace not to go back to our old ways. Isaiah 55:7(NKJV) says, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Is your heart humble to enter God’s presence and ask Him to restore your soul and hear your cries to heal your broken land? ◊
Linda Pearl
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