HUMILITY 1

12 THEN ONE NIGHT THE LORD APPEARED TO SOLOMON AND SAID, "I HAVE HEARD YOUR PRAYER AND HAVE CHOSEN THIS TEMPLE AS THE PLACE FOR MAKING SACRIFICES.
13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or commands grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.
14 THEN IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SINS AND RESTORE [heal] THEIR LAND."
2 Chronicles 7:12-14 (NLT)

• There is healing for whoever erred or derailed from God. Your land which symbolizes or could be termed your life would be healed If you had missed it.

• The above Bible passage was a reply to Solomon's prayer that he prayed when the temple was being dedicated (2 Chronicles 7:12-14).
• In other words, If God were angry with a person, as an individual or a group of people, If they did these , things mentioned in the passage, He would come through for them—perform or act as expected of Him—God:
  a. Humble themselves.
  b. And pray
  c. And seek His face
  d. And turn from their wicked ways
• If God's people did the above highlighted points:
  a. He will hear them,
  b. Forgive their sins, or shortcomings,
  c. And restore or heal their land.

• If there was any genuine repentance from God's people, those who are called by His name; He promises to help them.

• God is faithful in dealing with those who are His, and He is plenteous in mercy (2 Corinthians 1:3).
• However, He gave conditions through which whoever is His, who erred, could come back to Him or be reconciled to Him.
• The first thing mentioned in the list is, Humility; If they would humble themselves (2 Chronicles 7:14). Acknowledging your fault, or accepting your mistakes, that you are wrong; is humility before God.
• It is difficult for some people to admit that they are wrong. This is a high level of pride!

I. The first step is humility—acknowledging your errors.
a. Albeit, pride would not allow some to do this. They are full of the self. Whoever is in this state is lacking in wisdom. And this usually causes the hand of God to be against such. It would be heavy on the person for evil, negative things would be common in the life of such a person (1 Samuel 5:6).
b. When you are cocky, recalcitrant, or high minded; you discover that you are being resisted or opposed in all your ways. God is usually the One behind such an experience: "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE [the meek]" (James 4:6 NKJV).
READ: 1 Peter 5:5

II. Pray. That is, talk to God about the situation.
a. When you pray on a thing, It means you believe God can offer help or make a way out of the predicament.
b. It is also a sign of humility. It is a sign that you cannot do it by yourself, thus, you needed God's help.

III. Seek God's face.
a. Seeking is a bit deeper than praying. It involves inquiring. You want to tarry in God's presence and talk the matter out with Him, on whatever the problem is.
YOU probably want to know the cause of the predicament, what you did wrong that brought the problem or calamity. AND at the same time, you wanted to know what to do to come out of the predicament or problem.
b. When you seek, you would want to know the cause of the matter that such a situation might not repeat itself. And also know the way out, that you might teach others the way of the Lord. That they also would not venture to do such a thing.

IV. Turn from their wicked or evil ways.
a. The Word repent means to change your mind, your way, or make a U turn, about what you had been doing. After you had sought the face of the Lord and you had gotten the solution, you completely make a U turn, you do not go back into the mess again.
b. Turning from the evil or wicked ways, is the main goal of the discipline or suffering which you were allowed to pass through or found yourself in. If after you have been delivered from the predicament and you went back into it, you have defeated the purpose of the suffering or challenge or predicament which you did pass through: "AS A DOG RETURNS TO HIS OWN VOMIT, SO A FOOL REPEATS HIS FOLLY" (Proverbs 26:11 NKJV).
READ: 2 Peter 2:22

• If you took the steps highlighted or mentioned above, you would experience these:
I. God will hear your prayers from heaven.
a. It means God's listening ears are gotten through the taking of the right steps specified in His Word. In other words, your prayers would be heard when you walk according to the dictates of the Bible—His Word.
b. You cannot just sweep your shortcomings under the carpet and expect God to wink at whatever you did wrong and go ahead to bless you. He is a Holy God, and demands Holiness from whoever wants to walk with Him (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:16,17).

II. He will forgive your sins.
a. Forgiveness is promised in His Word, for whoever genuinely repented: "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 NKJV).
b. Remember, what preceded forgiveness is penitence, or contrition, or being remorseful. And that is an offshoot of humility. Someone who is still arguing, who wants to prove to be right, is not ready yet for an encounter with God. Thus, genuine and thorough forgiveness is premised on the condition of the person's or people's Heart.

III. Restore or heal their land.
a. The healing of the land, or restoration, takes place when a genuine repentance, a genuine change of heart, is seen by God; in the life of the person or people.
b. God is not wicked, He is a loving Father (Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13; James 1:17). All He wanted is, humility. Being submissive to Him—accepting or cooperating with Him to do whatever He said you should do.
DO not argue with Him. Humility is all about embracing God's Will or plan; however He will humble every proud soul or person who resisted His Word (Matthew 23:12).

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• Whatever is not planted by God in your body that is working against your health and wellness, such is rebuked and completely uprooted in Jesus' mighty name.
• Every hold of the devil is totally broken in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
  Peace!
  TO BE CONTINUED

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!