…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray
and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven
and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)
GOD’S PROMISE: He will hear, forgive, and restore.
GOD’S PREREQUISITES:
Last Week: Be humble enough to ask for help.
Today: I must seek God’s face AND turn from my sin.
PART 1: THE “SEEK HIS FACE “PART
A LOOK AT THE TWO KEY WORDS:
1. Seek – God calls me to make this a priority.
GOD will scatter you far and wide; a few of you will survive here and there in the nations where GOD will drive you. There you can worship your homemade gods to your heart's; content, your wonderful gods of wood and stone that can't see or hear or eat or smell. But even there, if you seek GOD, your God, you'll be able to find him if you're serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul. Deuteronomy 4:27-29 (MP)
Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me. Hosea 5:15
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
2. Face – God calls m to make this personal.
Seeking His face is not…
Being religious, finding relief, seeking reward.
Seeking His face is…
Longing for closeness to God.
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Exodus 33:11 (NIV)
I want to know Christ better. I want to know the power that raised him from the dead. I want to share in his sufferings…. Philippians 3:10 (NIrV)
Looking for clarity from God.
When you said, "Seek my face," my heart said to you, "O LORD, I will seek your face." Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will take care of me. Teach me your way, O LORD. Lead me on a level path… Psalms 27:8, 11 (GW)
IF I KNOW AND LOVE GOD, I WILL OBEY GOD
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands….The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him…. Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3, 5, 6 (NIV)
If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15 (NIrV)
NOTE: I find restoration not by seeking restoration
I find restoration by seeking relationship.
PART 2: THE “TURN FROM MY WICKED WAYS” PART
A LOOK AT THE TWO KEY WORDS:
1. Wicked – I must see my disobedience as evil.
2. Turn – I must recognize it and repent.
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:13 (GNB)
…unless you repent, you too will all perish. Luke 13:3 (NIV)
Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, and times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19 (NIV)
NOTE: Finding restoration requires forsaking sin!
If I had ignored my sins, the Lord would not have listened to me. Psalm 66:18