If-Then

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 7

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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7.14)

Devotional Thought: I love to watch my children convince their children to do the right thing.  One I heard recently: "If you eat four more green beans, then you can have a treat!"  Ah.  The classic "If-Then" proposition.  I used it many times myself!  We live in an "If-Then" world.  If you eat your vegetables you'll be healthy.  If you eat sweets, you'll get cavities!  If you save your money, you'll be glad later.  If you spend everything as you get it - or worse before you get it! - you'll regret it later.

God offered his children a classic "If-Then" proposition in our oft-cited verse from 2 Chronicles...

If you...

• are my people.  We can expect blessing only from the god we serve.

• are called by my name.  God has claimed us, putting the name of his Son upon us: Christian.

• humble yourselves.  God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

• pray.  We have not because we ask not, or we ask selfishly.  Prayer isn't about getting our way; rather it's about getting out of God's way so that he can have his way in us.

• seek my face.  Not his hand, but his face - his presence.

• turn from your wicked ways.  If children keep eating candy instead of vegetables, what happens?

Then I will...

• hear from heaven.  God is listening for the cries of his children!

• forgive your sin.  God, through Jesus Christ, is not willing that any should perish, but stands ready to forgive all!

• heal your land.  The church needs God's healing and health, but so does America.  We don't need better leadership principles or right judges appointed or right parties in power.  We need God's healing and health!

Prayer: Lord, we know that salvation is a free gift bought with the precious blood of Christ.  But, we do realize that to be blessed of God we must follow your "If-Thens."  Help me, O Lord, to position myself to receive your blessings today.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 62:1-4

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah