by Pastor Cecil | Jun 2, 2009 | 2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles 7:14
“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 will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
The humorous story is told of two children, Johnny and his younger sister, Judy. The two had been outside playing when Judy rushed into the house crying. Judy told her mother that Johnny had hit her. Their mother asked Johnny why he had hit his sister. He replied: “I didn’t hit her—she just ran into my fist!”
It is always easier to blame someone else for our sins and transgressions than to confess them ourselves. This is especially true as we look at our sin-sick world. We cluck our tongues and pray for God to change our rotten society.
I certainly do not mean to imply that we are to accept what is going on in our world, but how does God expect us to respond? I think the answer is that we need to look into the mirror of God’s Word.
In today’s Scripture God is speaking to His people. That means those of us who are born-again believers. So what does this passage say to us? Humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways.
Before we can ever hope to change our world we have to examine ourselves and discover areas of sin and compromise that lurk deep within. We can never hope to see our world change until we are willing to experience a change in our own life. Are you willing to change?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jun 1, 2009 | 2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles 26:5, 16
“He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success… But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.”
I recall listening to a sermon tape of a message by Dr. Donald Barnhouse. He related that following a sermon on total commitment a man came up to him and in a simpering voice said; “Dr. Barnhouse, please pray that God will make me nothing.” In his booming voice, Dr. Barnhouse replied: “Take it by faith brother—you are nothing!”
It was not to put the man down, but rather to emphasize that we are never to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. The sin of pride is so prevalent in the human nature that we can never stop fighting against it.
Uzziah was one of righteous kings in Judah. In the early days of his reign he was God’s man. He was fervent for the Lord and led the people of Judah in honoring God.
The problem was that he became so enamored with his spiritual importance that he entered the temple and offered incense directly on the altar of incense. This was a task that only the priests who were consecrated were permitted to do.
God’s wrath was swift and His judgment severe. Leprosy broke out on Uzziah’s face and he was an outcast for the remainder of his life. We observe the same reaction on God’s part for those believers who ignore God’s Word and seem to feel that they are exempt because of their faithful service. How foolish we are!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
