How'd you get here?

Scripture:
2 Chronicles 7:13-14 NIV


Application:
When we see a saintly person walking in the fullness of God's blessings, it's not unusual to wonder how they arrived. Was it along a straight path of clean living, or a detour through the school of hard knocks?

More often than not, hardship led them to the Lord.

This part of 2 Chronicles 7 is often quoted: "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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (verse 14)

But this well-known verse is preceded by verse 13, which isn't as often quoted: “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people..."

That's important context.

Why did the people repent and confess? Not because they themselves came to their senses. It's because God sent hardship. Life-saving hardship. Hardship was the wake up call.


Prayer:
Dear Father, thank You for giving us discomfort when we are on the path of destruction. We pray to be sensitive to Your message and repent early so that hardships won't mount. Amen.