This Day in History: 0000-10-06

October 6 – 2 Chronicles 7:14

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.

This is the heart of our Father, friends! So many times throughout Scripture He tells us He is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. He tells us He is eager to forgive and not punish. He begs His people to simply turn back to Him and repent so that He can heal them. But far too often, that plea falls on deaf ears.

There are two questions that come to mind when I consider our Lord’s love and forgiveness:

1. Have we humbled ourselves before Him? Have we sought His face? Have we turned from our wicked ways?

Lord, give us ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts that are quick to turn and repent! May we experience Your forgiveness and unfailing love each day. May we receive the healing you offer to those who approach You in humility!

2. Can we say we strive to be like our Father? Are we eager to forgive, or do we hang on to our hurts with a death grip?

As children of the living God, our hearts should beat in sync with His. It should hurt us to have to enforce our boundaries. Our hearts should always be longing to see our offenders repent. Restoration and healing should be the desire of our hearts.

This isn’t natural to us though, we’re going to have to ask our Father for help. We’re going to have to ask Him to give us His heart – to make us like Him. It is a prayer that, when earnestly prayed, will always be answered!

Lord, make us like You! Give us tender hearts that long to see sinners turn back to You and be healed!