2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

During times of trouble, we will hear this scripture recited as a remedy for the trials and tribulations we face. More than a cliché, 2 Chronicles offers a viable solution to true deliverance and healing in your life. The fact is… we will all face trouble at some point and time in our lives. Why? Because we are all born into a world of inequity. Matter of fact, Bible reminds us that not only are we born into iniquity, we are shaped in it (Psalm 51:5). Being shaped in iniquity means that by nature, we lean towards the decision that twists or bends the law of the Word of God to appeal to our flesh. We make excuses for why what we do is “okay” even though we know it is definitely not okay. The result of these loose standards impact our way of life and results in physical, emotional, spiritual, financial sickness—an ailment that yearns for healing and deliverance.

Yet, there is hope. Though we are born into a sin-sick world and our primitive actions are shaped in a way that goes against the natural order of God—our Creator promises to heal and forgive is we are able to follow these steps:

1)    Be humble

The process of being humble pertains to our perspective of our own importance. Often times, we will tell our kids, “that is just not our priority right now.” In truth, our priority motivator generally concerns our family and what causes our family to flourish. Our priorities are heavily centered around “us” as a collective whole. Yet- when there are trials and tribulations that seem to great to bear, God instructs us to remove ourself out of the hierarchy of needs. Our Creator is telling us to go against what is natural to do (and that is think of self) and focus on Him. The process of being humble takes time but it can start with a simple list of gratitude. Take time to think of the things God has done for you (great or small) and write that list down. Meditate on the fact that God did this for you though He did not have too. Once you begin to meditate on the greatness of God and the power of God, you will find humility is attainable. Being humble is an intentional mindfulness to focus on the power of God rather than the acts of self.

2)    Go to God in Prayer

You would think that prayer is a default response. As humans, we talk all day long, why not go to God in prayer when things are troubling? However, Pew Research Center reported that only about 22% of Believers report praying on a daily basis. Out of all of that talking- somehow, we don’t manage to talk to the Source. Nevertheless, prayer should be an intentional, sincere, and heart felt conversation to the Father to provide transparency of the things that are bothering you—worrying you—upsetting you—putting your life at “dis-ease” (disease)—things you need to be healed from and seek restoration. Consider prayer as a method of understanding exactly what you need and communicating that need to the only one who could provide a solution.

3)    Seek God’s Face

The word “face” in the Old Testament means “presence.” When the verbiage “seek His face” appears, the writer is encouraging the people of God to get in the presence of God. There is a benefit of being in the presence of God with the primary benefit as being the experience of the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control). Imagine an overwhelming sense of joy when you have been depressed lately. Picture a heart of goodness when you have been suffering from misuse and abuse. The presence of God gives us the life elements we need when sin and wickedness have distorted our perception of “life” and what is good. God cannot be where sin resides (Psalm 5:4). Often when we are at dis-ease, we have strayed away from God through our participation in sin. So… in order to experience the fruits of the Spirit and God’s presence again, we must get back in His presence. How do we get in the presence of God? One consistent way is to read the Word of God (Bible). We understand that the Word of God is a living source of Him (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God provides us with access to not only God’s standards, expectations, and laws but the Word speaks to us and commands our spirits in alignment with God’s Holy spirit. When you read the Word of God (meditate and are in tune), you are able to get right in the presence (face) of God. What better way to find healing and restoration than experiencing the wholeness of life we have in our Father?

4)    Terminate our wicked ways

Step four might be the hardest thing to do because wickedness is appealing. Wickedness feels good. Wickedness is something we have learned to master and make a part of our regimen. Healing and deliverance is really the answer to the question: “How bad do you want it?” Paul clearly tells us that we are slaves to sin; meaning, sin keeps us in bondage. When healing is the product of leaving sin alone and following after God’s righteousness, it is equivalent to a slave breaking free from the plantation. You have to have safeguards in place. You have to have a strategy in place. Where is your support system and underground railroad? Terminating wicked ways is not simply a desire met by lip service. Termination takes action and intentionality. Termination is hard. Yet, termination is necessary in order to get back in right standing with God so that He may heal your wounds and free your soul. Though this step is hard, it is feasible and liberating once accomplished. Simple steps towards big progress has always been my motto. Start by identifying the wickedness. Then, move towards identifying the process of performing the wickedness. Finally, what steps can you erase from the process to result in dissolution of the process of wickedness?

The antidote to our sin-sick soul is locked up in 2 Chronicles 7:14. 

Are you truly ready to be healed? Delivered? Set free? 

Turn back to the Lord who heals us (Exodus 15:26)

Be blessed,

Pastor and First Lady McGill

McGill Ministries