I have heard churches bemoan their lack of growth and say "if God would only move." I have seen how the world hurts and struggles and heard the cry "if there was only hope." "If only we could get people to be saved." "If only we could get people to not go out the back door of the church as fast as they enter the front door." IF....IF....IF....IF There are just so many ifs in our world. Yet, that first if I mentioned resonates so with me, as I have heard that plea for God's hand to move in His church and world. And with this mass of ifs I would share with you God's big if. You see God so wants to move in our churches and world. God has such big plans for us as His people, and even more importantly, for you as an individual. And as He looks at His church and the houses of worship we build He says these words:
"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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
And that is God's big if. Do we truly want to see God move and do great things in our midst? Do we truly desire a fresh word from God? Are you serious about seeing God change our world and save the lost within? Then He has laid it out plainly and clearly for you in this passage.
God is looking for His people, those who call themselves by His name, to do four vital things:
1) Humble Themselves...to lay yourself on your face and admit to God that without Him you can do nothing. It is not about how big a building you build or how much money you give. It is not about how important you are. It is about God and His work. So, are you willing to humble yourself before God?
2) Pray..you would think that this is really quite simple. But I find that we talk about seeing God move. We express our desires for revival and renewal to happen in our midst. But when it comes down to truly coming together as a united body and praying for God to do whatever He deems fit...we shrink away. Why? Perhaps it is because if we truly ask Him to move, it might take us out of our comfort zones. He may ask us to step out in faith, and that is so hard to do. Pray people pray for God to move in your midst.
3) Seek My Face..."those who seek Him find Him." To actively seek the face of God is to look into His glory and be moved, forever changed. Like Isaiah of old, when you come before the glory of God you too will say, "here am I, send me." When we seek Him we discover all the possibilities of His wonder working power. "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is yet near."
4) Turn From Their Wicked Ways...bottom line, true revival begins in the hearts and lives of God's people. Until we are willing to come before Him and confess our own sins (be they actions or attitudes) we will never experience the power of God's work in our lives. Face it, we are all sinners and have those times when our sins creep back in. Repent and find victory in Jesus.
I would like to point out that God's big if is a conditional statement. It is not until you as a church or individual have done these four expectations that you will see revival take place. God promises that when we do these four things "THEN I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sins and heal their land." In other words. THEN revival will happen. Then you will see the hand of God at work in your midst.
It is my prayer that God will bring His people to their knees, seeking His mighty hand in their midst. The great revivals of history began with a group of people on their knees before God, seeking His face, and repenting of their own sins. When they lived out 2 Chronicles 7:14 God kept His end of the bargain. May we be like the disciples of old who gathered in one accord in an upper room to seek out the promise of God. When they did business with God all heaven broke loose. Let it be so in us dear Lord, let it be so.
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