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2 Chronicles 7:11-16

When Solomon had finished the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the LORD and in his own palace, the LORD appeared to him at night and said: ‘I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. ‘When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there for ever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

 

Think

Did you know that sometimes God’s eyes and ears are closed to our prayers? This is a horrible situation. Today’s passage teaches that God opens His eyes and ears to our prayers when we humble ourselves (turn from pride), look to God with a genuine heart and turn away from our wickedness (v. 14-15). In fact, it is a very beautiful promise that if we turn from our sin God’s heart is open to us. 

Just like the younger son in Luke 15, who found himself in the pig trough due to his sin (Luke 15:16), when his heart turned back to his father with brokenness and repentance – the father ran and threw his arms around him. In the same way, our Father runs to us and throws His arms around us when our hearts turn back to Him.

 

Ponder

  • Why would God shut up the heavens?
  • What does it mean to seek God’s face?

 

Pray

Seek God’s face today with humility and brokenness of heart.

 

Prayer and Praise

Psalm 27:8:

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

  • Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness and love
  • Thank You that you are aware of all that’s happening in this world, help us to remain faithful witnesses of Your grace and truth
  • Pray for those in authority over us
  • Pray for Senior Sisters ministry and the encouragement it gives