October 13

If, and a Triple Promise

and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. — 2 Chr 7:14 BSB

Though we bear the name of the Lord, we are still prone to stray. How merciful it is that our God is always ready to forgive! Whenever we fall into sin, let us quickly go to the mercy seat, seeking His pardon.

We must humble ourselves. How can we not be humbled, knowing that after receiving so much love, we still transgress? O Lord, we bow before You in repentance and confess our deep ingratitude. How shameful our sin is—how much worse it is, considering how much grace we’ve been given!

Next, we must pray for mercy, cleansing, and deliverance from the power of sin. O Lord, hear us even now, and do not shut out our cry.

In our prayers, we must seek God’s face. He may have hidden His presence from us because of our faults, but we must plead for His return. O Lord, look upon us through Your Son Jesus, and show Your favor to Your servants.

This must also be accompanied by a turning from sin, for God will not turn to us unless we turn from our sinful ways.

Then comes a threefold promise—God will hear, forgive, and heal. O Father, grant us these blessings now for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.