Desiring God To Turn Around

Wanting God to Turn-Around Text: II Chronicles 7:14

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.

As God realizes the big stipulation that comes with a little word-“If!” God understands when a person turns and humbles himself he or she will walk in new obedience, which in return brings high levels of faith!

Solomon’s temple was finally complete. The work of 70,000 laborers, 80,000 stone cutters, and 3,600 foremen were complete. Pure gold covered parts of the interior. Precious inlaid stones sparkled! The Ark of the Covenant inhabited the Holy of Holies. Only the presence of God was missing!

Therefore, Solomon prays in II Chron. 6: 41Now therefore, Arise, O LORD God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. Let Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let Your saints rejoice in goodness.

How did God respond? II Chron. 7:1-3 When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the Lord’s house. 3 When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying:” For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.

After 15 days of celebration Solomon finally retreats to his palace! God wasn’t finished speaking yet! II Chron. 7:12-13 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, (What’s next?)

God gives Israel at least 4 directives in the next verse. #1. “If My people, who are called by My name.” I have to say this: Here God claims ownership and recognizes us to be part of His family!

Again God say’s, “If My people, who are… #1. We must turn from self-promotion to God promotion!

Promotion comes from God! Psalm 75:6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

“Will humble themselves and pray.” #2. We must turn from self-reliance to God reliance!

A young woman went to her pastor and said, "Pastor, I have a besetting sin, and I want your help. I come to church on Sunday and can’t help thinking I’m the prettiest girl in the congregation. I know I ought not think that, but I can’t help it. I want you to help me with it." The pastor replied, "Mary, don’t worry about it. In your case it’s not a sin. It’s just a horrible mistake."

Prayer involves humility! Prayer should be the key of the day, and the lock of the night! I Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Remember, as Solomon prayed the glory of God arrived! As the glory came all the people fell on their faces to pray!

( Honest prayer brings response!)

“And seek My face.” #3. We must turn from self-direction to God direction!

We have to allow God to be our GPS! When you seek His face your face will be changed!

“And turn from their wicked ways.” #4. We must turn from self-indulgence to self-examination!

Results: II Chron. 7:15-16 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. (That’s some kind of responds!)

Our country has been going down the wrong path and it’s time to stop and turn, and that turn begins with you!

Here are at least 6 habits we need to make: 1. Become watchful. 2. Listen. 3. Be prayerful. 4. Walk humbly. 5. Be filled with courage. 6. Be honest with you.