If My people, which are called by My 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, 2 Ch 7:14.

We have often heard the expression that the word "IF" is a little word with a big meaning, but how often have we stopped to ponder when we see that word "IF" used by the Creator of Heaven and Earth? In the scriptural passage before us the word "IF" conveys a distinction between eternal happiness and eternal misery.

The Almighty reveals His condescension in Is 57:15, where He says, "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit." All steams and rivers flow from the heights of the mountains into the depth of the oceans, because the oceans are lower than the mountains. So often God's people miss God's presence because they exalt themselves; not only above each other, but above the Lord!

"IF" Christ's Church will humble herself before that High and Lofty One, He says, "I will extend peace to her like a river." Then His tender love and comfort, "as one whom his mother comforteth," flows down into the soul, "like a flowing stream," Isa 66:12-13. It was in that terrible fall of Adam that rebellion was born. Satan's promise was that we should be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Is that not the secret thought of the heart of man to this very day? Oh, Beloved, it is against our proud nature to be reproved of sin. It takes God's special grace to love a person for reproving us of sin, but see how important it is to identify our sins!

Oh, what a condescension of the Creator of Heaven and earth to come so low. He not only sent His own Son to pay the penalty of our sins, but now He sends His, "ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us," saying, "we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God," 2 Co 5:21.

What an eternal wonder that the "high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy," condescends so low to call unto you and me saying, "If My people, which are called by My 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," 2 Ch 7:14.

"IF" we have not our Savior’s blessed presence, we should stop to examine and see wherein we must humble ourselves. Wherein is it that we must turn from our wicked ways? David cried unto the Lord when he felt the guilt of his sins saying, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me," Ps 51:10.

Is it not because our pride and rebellion exalts itself above the High and Lofty one all too often, that those rivers of peace go dry instead of flowing unto us, and "we go mourning all the day?" Ps 38:6. Our Saviour humbled Himself unto death, even the death of the cross, in humble obedience to His Holy Father.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus," Ph'p 2:2-12. Humble yourselves and pray, and seek God's face as David did when he cried, "Examine me O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart," Ps 26:2. Then God says He will, "hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Amen.

Gospel Chapel Ministries – by Ralph Bouma
23 5^th Ave SE
Conrad MT 59425
(406)278-5664

How blessed are they who truly see
Their emptiness and poverty;
Whose souls are humbled in the dust,
And who in Jesus only trust!