21 April | EVERYONE
«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
The night was the color of dawn because rays of light fell from the sky like leaves torn by the autumn wind. It was night, but it seemed to be day, because the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time. The first had been in Gibeon, when the young king asked for wisdom. Now, after Solomon had finished building the temple, He appeared to him again, but this time with a challenge.
The greatest temple in the world would be worthless if God’s presence was not there. But for the construction not to be just a harmonious piling of building materials, it was necessary for the people’s soul to be healed and for them to build a temple to God in their hearts. The earth was sick, men and women suffered unnecessarily, they dedicated a temple to God, but walked in their own evil ways. The people needed to understand that it was of little use to call on the name of the Lord with a heart polluted with ungodliness.
Therefore, the challenge was to truly turn to God to seek Him wholeheartedly and to follow God’s ways instead of one’s own. The secret of a prayer answered by God is to humble oneself, to seek the face of the Lord, to be ready to live with Him an experience of daily love and to renounce other paths. Then the divine answer will come.
It is an easy recipe. Difficult to practice. But there it is.
Take Action
God makes himself available to us, but He does not impose His company on us. If you truly desire His wonderful presence, welcome Him with open arms and peace will flood your heart. Sing “If My People Pray” (if possible, with your family).