Solomon had approached God to make arrangements for the individuals when they trespassed. God replied with four conditions for pardoning:
1. Humble yourself by conceding your wrongdoings.
2. Requesting pardoning/forgiveness.
3. Look for God constantly.
4. Abandon corrupt conduct/sin.
Genuine apology is more than talk, it is a changed conduct. Regardless of whether we sin independently, as a gathering, or as a country, abiding by these four steps will prompt absolution. God will answer our sincere petitions.
2 Chronicles 6:37-39, Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly; If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.
No one is exempt from sin; it is a condition we all share. We should eagerly come to Jesus when we realize that we have sinned. Just knowing that we have the capacity to sin should give us the desire to seek God's guidance and strength.
Psalm 14:3, They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Ecclesiastes 7:20, For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
We should have a hunger for God:
Matthew 5:6, Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.
Do we know what true spiritual hunger is? Do we hunger for God like we hunger for food and water? (bacon) Do we have a passion for Christ like we have a passion for football?
Psalm 42:1-2, As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
If we have a spiritual hunger, we should be seeking God. Just like when our stomach growls for something to eat when we are physically hungry, our spirit should be hungry for the Lord. Just having small bits here and there does not satisfy.
How often do we wander through the house, aimlessly? It seems like we are dissatisfied, agitated, or anxious? When was the last time we sat at the spiritual table and had a MEAL?
We should be honest with God:
Matthew 16:24, Then said Jesus unto His disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up the cross, and follow me,
1 John I :8-9, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Do we truly open ourselves to God and expose our sins? We must know that cannot hide our sins. We must be open and submit to God. Know what is in your heart. Tell the Lord how you feel and what you think. Let the Lord speak to you. Do not forget to give God praise.
Philippians 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any
praise, think on these things.
We should humble ourselves before God:
Psalms 139:23-24, Search me O God, and know my heart today; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting".
Isaiah 6:5, "Then said I, woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips.
David had asked God to search for any sin and point it out. When God points out our sin then we can repent. But we must be humble to God and submit to His divine surgery of our hearts. We must realize that we are unclean in the presence of God's holiness. We may need to go through a painful cleansing before we are prepared for a task.
James 4:10, Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
We are to recognize that we are only worthy through Christ. Our independent nature and abilities do not give us strength, only through the power of Christ are we worthy.
Revival in our land can only come from a revival in our personal lives. Everyone that professes Christ as their personal Savior need to seek repentance for themselves, then they can pray and seek repentance and forgiveness in their families, then in their churches, then it can grow into a community wide revival across the land.
To have revival within our hearts, our minds, and our lives, can only happen by:
Having a Humble Heart and a Holy Hunger while being in Persistent Prayer will lead to
Radical Repentance.
