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.
Humility is not our culture's most valued asset or most desired character quality. However, humility is what is needed - not so much because it's commanded (though that would be enough), but because we've "earned" our need for humility through our arrogance and abandonment of God and his character, compassion, and faithful lovingkindness. Every year brings another wave of major failures in morality, character, and spirituality among our leaders, both political and religious. Even on our best days, we all fall short of God's holiness. Rather than progressing culturally, we find ourselves slipping, rebelling, and degrading ourselves. Our need to approach God with humility is "earned." So let's be humble ourselves and call upon the Lord, throwing off our sin and seeking after him. Only then will we begin to see our hope for a brighter future emerge and healing come to the people.
My Prayer...
Holy and Almighty God, your deeds are awesome, your faithfulness is overwhelming, and your mercy and grace are such blessings. I come to you knowing that you hear me, despite the incredible distance between you and me, between your worth and holiness and my lack of it. I confess that I, and my culture and country around me, have made a mess of what you so wonderfully blessed us with. We come humbly, asking that you reassert yourself in our churches, nations, and leaders in clearly recognizable ways. At the same time, we humbly acknowledge our personal failures, arrogance, and rebellion. We ask for your grace, in faith, through the power and loving mercy found in Jesus and his name. Amen.
"Faithfully obey all these commands I’m giving you. Love the Lord your God, follow all his directions, and be loyal to him. Then the Lord will force..."
"How destructive is the hail to the standing crops, beating out the precious grain upon the ground! How grateful ought we to be when the corn is spared..."
"Dear Holy One,
You confessed Me as your Lord and called on My name as your Savior (Romans 10:9-13). You were joined with Me in My death, burial, and...."
Bible: Browse OT/NT Books
Comments
Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment