. . .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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

II Chronicles 7:14-15

God has given us a way out when we turn away from Him. The Israelites turned from God and He offered them a way back: to humble themselves, pray and seek God. His promise was if they would do so, He would forgive their sin and heal their land. Solomon prayed to God at the dedication of the temple, offering sacrifices and thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness in the building of the temple. The Lord appeared to Solomon acknowledging that He had heard his prayer and reminding him that if the Israelites experienced God’s hand of judgment due to their sin, He would hear their prayers if they turned back to Him.

God has given us a way to turn back to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. There is no sin too great, nothing that we have done that He won’t forgive if we humbly turn from our wicked ways. He will bring healing and deliverance. The New Testament passage parallels the grace we are able to turn to in repentance and be healed: If we claim to be without 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 purify us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:8-9)

Have you committed a sin that you have not taken to God in prayer?

What is it? If you are willing to turn back to God, He stands ready to heal the devastation, the brokenness, and the places of desolation in your life that the sin has caused. Will you turn to Him today?

Heavenly Father,

You alone have the power to save and to forgive. I turn back to You and ask that You will hear my prayer and heal my “spiritual land.”

In Jesus’ name, Amen