Theme: WHERE COULD SAFETY BE FOUND?
Text: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Comment: The steady increase of wickedness is the bane of the present-day society. There is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. People lie and kill, and steal, and commit adultery when they have the opportunity to do so. This now results in unhappiness and suffering in the land. – Hosea 4:1-3. See also 1 John 5:19. When people are given to wickedness, their prayers will not be answered – and this compounds their situation. – Jeremiah 7:16. See also John 9:31.
Sin brings ruin as King Solomon stated in Proverbs 14:34: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Therefore, all persons should acknowledge the Almighty God and return to Him in humility, soberness and true repentance so as to merit His mercy, grace, forgiveness, peace and safety a stated in the text for today. James the apostle declared: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” – James 4:8.The prayer of David the prophet is hereby recommended to us. He said: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” – Psalm 51:10, 11