If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face . . . 2 Chronicles 7:14

In Exodus 33:20 we are told that no man can see the face of God and live, yet 2 Chronicles 7:14 says that seeking His face is the third step in the process of healing our land.  We would do well to always remember that God is altogether different than us mere mortals.  I have eyes but can only see what is in front of me.   He can see every part of the entire Earth at the exact same time.  We are about to learn that God is actively doing something with those eyes of His.

God gives Solomon the 2 Chronicles 7:14 verse during a time of the greatest prosperity the world will ever know.  They were dedicating to Him a temple made of gold.  The Israelites lived in the most beautiful and most well-protected land in the world.  They couldn’t imagine needing to do the four requirements of 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Nine chapters later, Israel has already split into two parts.  We find the Judean king named Asa using the temple treasures to pay another king, Ben-Hadad of Aram, to protect them from the Israelite king, Baasha.  Before, Asa had only trusted the Lord in battle, but here he is using politics.  It works, but not without a stern rebuke from the Lord through a prophet named Hanani.  Hanani lets Asa know that he has done like you and I have done time and time again:  We have stopped doing things God’s way and started doing things our way, or equally as bad, the world’s way.  Asa gets angry and throws Hanani in prison, but not before he hears these words:

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.  You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war. – 2 Chronicles 16:9

Here is the best thing, I think, about part III:  When we do the first two things, humble ourselves and pray, we are showing our full commitment, our full surrender, and our full placement of our lives into His hands . . . we automatically get His eyes.  You know as well as I do; to see something, we must turn our face in that direction.

I’m praying for so many to deepen their walks with the Lord.  May we truly humble ourselves and pray, and may the Lord turn His face towards us.

Lord, I feel as close to You as I’ve ever been.  I feel so foolish for all the times I’ve just gone through the motions of following You.  I feel so foolish for behaving as if You are completely fine with my sin.  I definitely feel foolish for all the decisions I’ve made doing what I believe is the correct thing to do.  I had You there the whole time just waiting to show me the best way.  I humble myself and let You know right now that I want to cut all that out for my remaining time here on Earth.  I want to live in such a way that You see that I’m fully committed to You, and You therefore strengthen my heart.  Amen