“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.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Lately, a lot of people in this country are feeling fearful about their futures.  Across the country homes have lost much of their value.  Many people have lost jobs, pensions, benefits or 401K’s.  What happened?!? There is certainly enough blame to go around.  Greed, selfishness, outsourcing, market manipulation, coveting, living on credit cards, buying what you can’t afford–there are endless reasons why this country has found itself in the state it is in.  Some would say that the chickens have come home to roost–that we have gotten ourselves just where we deserve to be.

I don’t see blame as being beneficial–it’s just hurtful.  Having gotten ourselves into this situation, what we need to do is figure out how to get out of it.  2 Chronicles 7:14 is a good place to start.  We, who consider ourselves to be “God’s people” are being told what to do–to humble ourselves, and turn from our ways, and to pray, and to seek God’s face.  Every one of us, no matter how “good” we are, continue to need the refinement of these practices.

I believe that God can do anything.  I believe that if enough people sought God’s face and God’s direction for their lives, and then did what God told them to do, we would pull out of this mess.  I believe that God has a better way.  I also believe that we cannot conceive of God’s method.  That is where we need to be humble when we seek God’s face and God’s wisdom.  And each one of us needs to be personally responsible for our own spiritual walk first, before we can expect any change in society.  2 Chronicles points the way.  We change, then God heals.