A Call to Repentance

2 Chronicles 6, 7:1, 12-14 Psalm 51

Repent: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life.

to feel regret or contrition

to change one's mind

In chapter 6 of 2 Chronicles God and Solomon was having a conversation.

Solomon had just finished praying for the dedication for the house of God. (verses 12-20)

Then Solomon switches to petitions for the people of Israel asking God to hear his prayer and the people when they pray and to forgive when He hears their prayers. He proceeded on and on asking certain things of the people Israel. As he made an end of prayer 2 Chronicles chapter 7:1 says that the dedication of the house of God began. When Solomon finished the house of the Lord verse 12 says that the Lord appeared to him and said " I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice."

The Lord heard Solomon concerning the prayer for him and the people, and let him knew that He heard it, God spoke part of the prayer back to him in 7:13. Look below the prayer of Solomon and God's answer to him to show him that He heard him.

Solomon in prayer (6:26) When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they (Israel) pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when you dost afflict them.

God (7:13) If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I send locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people. The first part confirms Solomon's prayer.

God then in turn shows him the requirement of the people in order for Him to forgive and hear their prayers in 7:14.

14. If my people, which are called by name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The Lord cannot and will not forgive sins without something that we must do first. He hears a repented heart. Psalm 51 shows King David in prayer unto God after that he was reprimanded by God through the prophet Nathan for the death of Uriah and taking his wife,

Bath-sheba. He showed his repentance by not doing that act anymore.

Repentance is acknowledging our wrong doing and then turning from it. Remember God said for us to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. Not just a act of feeling sorrowful but actually not doing that sin anymore.

Consequence do follow our actions when we sin as it did for King David (See 2 Samuel 12;1-15), but God forgives us when we turn from our wicked ways to follow Him. He can heal and mend things back together and will wipe the slate clean.

God bless

Ynita Wheeler-prophetess