2 Chronicles 7:14-15

2 Chronicles 7:14-15

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. . . . My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer.

The Lord appeared to Solomon with specific instructions for how his people could develop a right relationship with him: First, they needed to humble themselves and pray, acknowledging their sins. It’s hard to admit when we’ve done something wrong, but it is the first step to a restored relationship with God. Second, they had to turn from sinful actions toward God’s way of living. This is repentance, which literally means “to turn.” Humility paves the way to a restored relationship with God and others. A restored relationship is one of the most powerful demonstrations of real love.