"'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... forgive their sin and will heal their land.'"
(2 CHRONICLES 7:14)
The Old Testament idea in the word for “humble” suggests that people are humbled for their sins by repentance. Even when we are confronted by the consequences of our sin, God never leaves us without a remedy. We truly can experience His blessing, as this Scripture tells. The chronicler records how important it is to be obedient to the Lord. Reading ahead, we find in chapter 12:6-7, “The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, ‘The Lord is just.'” The hand of God’s judgment was stayed, and they were to experience deliverance.
Today we greatly need both national and personal repentance. We who are called by His name must humble ourselves, turn from our sin and seek His face. In doing so, God promises to hear, forgive, heal and bring about His sovereign purposes in line with the prayers of His children. Our faith in our Living God can bring about change in this world. Most importantly, His remarkable plan to save us through the humiliating death of His only Son can change our hearts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dick Johnson has served (with Linda, his wife of 47 years) as a Far East Broadcasting Company missionary, a pastor of churches in Illinois and Iowa, and currently in California as a chaplain for law enforcement personnel. Dick is the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office and ATF Chaplain. He teaches a weekly Bible study for officers from several agencies. To the delight of many of our readers, Dick has been writing Anchor devotionals faithfully every year for 36 years.
Today we greatly need both national and personal repentance. We who are called by His name must humble ourselves, turn from our sin and seek His face. In doing so, God promises to hear, forgive, heal and bring about His sovereign purposes in line with the prayers of His children. Our faith in our Living God can bring about change in this world. Most importantly, His remarkable plan to save us through the humiliating death of His only Son can change our hearts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dick Johnson has served (with Linda, his wife of 47 years) as a Far East Broadcasting Company missionary, a pastor of churches in Illinois and Iowa, and currently in California as a chaplain for law enforcement personnel. Dick is the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office and ATF Chaplain. He teaches a weekly Bible study for officers from several agencies. To the delight of many of our readers, Dick has been writing Anchor devotionals faithfully every year for 36 years.
Scripture Focus
2 Chronicles 7:11-18
Insight
IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS THAT HAS POWER TO TRANSFORM LIVES AND CULTURES.
Bible In A Year
- 1 Samuel 1-2
- Psalm 120
- 1 Corinthians 14
