Who Are We And What Does That Mean?
In response to the dedication of the temple built by Solomon, God rained fire down from heaven to consume the offering made to Him. Those in attendance knelt and worshiped God, giving Him thanks. Later, after the people had returned to their homes, God appeared to Solomon during the night and said, “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 will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). I believe God is reminding His people of their status according to His view - (1) We are God’s people; (2) We are called by His name.
What a blessing to know that God looks at you and I as His people called by the wonderful and powerful name of Jesus! As we accept being called by His name and being amongst His people, it is only natural that there are things that His people do because we ARE His people. What does it mean to be His people? (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 51:17)
God says we are to be humble. During Old Testament times, humility was connected with low socioeconomic status. During New Testament times, the Greco-Roman world regarded humility as a sign of weakness or even a character flaw. This is not so when God applies the term to His people. It is a virtue to walk humbly with Him. David gives us an excellent description of what it means to be humble: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalms 51:17). A broken, humble, or submitted spirit or heart is a sacrifice that God truly desires from His people. Such a heart is ready and willing to obey.
In addition to being humble, God expects us to pray. Prayer is vital communication that binds us to God in an intimate, reciprocal relationship based on Christ’s merits. Therefore, we can boldly go to God through Christ, even to His throne, so “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Without such prayer, it will be impossible to obey Him.
Seeking God’s face is another activity that fosters obedience. The word seek points to a desire and a striving or driving force behind the act of seeking. Such seeking is our responsibility if we are His people. Nothing will stop the person who earnestly seeks God’s presence. “‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’" (Jeremiah 29:13). Moreover, God wants to be found, as a matter of fact He is waiting for us, knocking at the door of our hearts to let Him in.
A fourth thing expected of us is to turn from our wicked ways. Isaiah 55:7 says, “Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. ” When we do this, we turn toward a life of obedience that comes from a heart of gratitude.
What does God promise in return?
When we humble ourselves before God, seek His face, and turn from our sinful ways, God will hear us. Isaiah 59:1, 2 states that “surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” When we honestly seek to obey God, He will answer our prayers.
God will also forgive us of our sins when we humble ourselves before Him. In the New Testament, we read that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). This formula has not changed. God knows the heart. A truly penitent heart will be forgiven and cleansed!
Is there anything holding us back from giving God our all and best? I challenge you this week; because of His goodness, forgiveness and grace; out of a grateful heart, lets please our Lord by submitting to him, seeking Him through prayer, turning to Him for strength and then reaching others for His Kingdom.
Pastor Michael Butler
