Topic: Terms and Conditions Apply [Thursday May 5, 2016]
Text: 2 Chronicles 7:12-22
Key Verse: “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 Chronicles 7:14).
If you are familiar with promotional advertisements, you should also be familiar with the expression, “Terms and conditions apply”. It is a phrase advertisers often use to limit their responsibilities and protect themselves from undesirable claims from respondents. In a way, God’s promises often come with the same tag, but unlike those advertisements, there are neither profits nor veiled motives in His terms.
King Solomon dedicated the temple he built for God with eloquent prayer, great sacrifices and glorious praise and worship. After all these, the Lord appeared to him one night and assured him of answers to his prayer. He further promised to grant perpetual government to Solomon and his posterity. However, these promises were predicated on certain terms and conditions which are relevant to us today. As a condition to receive divine intervention in times of national crises, usually occasioned by their sins, God demanded humble repentance and prayer.
Also, if Solomon and his posterity would enjoy the promised perpetual government, they must be consistent in their commitment and service to God as David was. It is true that whatever we are or possess is a product of God’s saving and enabling grace. But when a person frustrates the grace of God (rendering it ineffectual) by living a sinful life or living, as it were, independent of God, he will be deprived of the benefits of that grace. That little word, “if” remains relevant today as it was when God spoke to Solomon.
When there is a manifestation of divine wrath upon a people or person, humility, contrite prayer, seeking God’s face and repentance are a necessary condition for answered prayer, forgiveness and restoration. Many professing Christians are too preoccupied with “claiming” the blessings of God even when it is obvious that their ways are not pleasing to Him. We must relate with God on His own terms, not ours. Our continued abiding by God’s terms is what guarantees continued blessings.
Thought for the day: To claim God’s “I wills”, we must address His “Ifs”.
Bible Reading in one Year: Judges 11-13
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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