This week in Crisis Counsels we are looking at God’s Word to King Solomon following the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, where God assures Solomon that if the people turn to God in times of trouble, God “will forgive their sin and heal their land.” This is what we read in II Chronicles:

Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer . . . When the heavens are shut up so that there is no rain, or the locust devours the land, or pestilence comes among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

II Chronicles 7:12-14

Note that the people are encouraged, when confronted by any sort of crisis, to “humble themselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from their wicked ways.” The first step is humility. To be humble does not mean to think poorly of ourselves. It means to recognize our profound need for God. It also means to recognize the fallibility of our own ideas and perceptions, and to be open to God’s guidance. Humility is often sadly lacking in our age! Many people disregard God, and too easily become ensconced in their own personal opinions, with little receptivity to authentic Biblical teaching. Jesus said, “Those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11) It is in humility that we can begin to perceive God’s truth and experience God’s strength, and so be equipped to effectively meet the crises of our time.

If you missed Sunday worship, you can join with the recorded service of either the 9:30 or 10:30 worship hours at live.kentmethodist.org

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