2 Chronicles 7:14-15 – If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
_____________________
Again today, I write to you about the command of the Lord to “turn from their wicked ways.” Yesterday I wrote that for repentance to be fully effective, the repentant person must be a thinking person. Today, I write about one of the two constants that must be in the life of a truly repentant person, and that constant is the continual application of the Word of God and the moment-by-moment decision to walk according to that Word.
Take time again today to read the passages in our Manna for Today. As you read, consider the words as you sound them with your own lips. Allow faith to arise in you in the greatest way you’ve ever known. Remember, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. The Lord spoke through Joshua saying that the Word of God should never depart from your mouth, but that you should meditate in it day and night. That is a constant, moment-by-moment consciousness of the Word of God living in your life. The Lord adds that when you do this, you will observe how to walk in that Word in a manner that causes your way to prosper and brings you good success. Repentance is a process, and everyone needs to prosper in it and have good success.
Note the words of Paul when he declares that God’s Word has been set in the church that He might sanctify and cleanse the church by the washing of the water of the Word. Our Text for Today cites the need for God’s people to turn from wicked ways. The implication and call are clear. It’s time for the church to be made clean so the Lord can work through it. For that to happen, we need the constant application of God’s Word to make us clean by its continual washing through application.
And I draw your attention to yet another strong passage addressing this matter – 1 John 1:7. There John clearly declares what that constant application of God’s Word, and our walking in obedience to it, does in our lives. As a child of God, you have access to the Word of God. You can read it for yourself, and hear it declared by others in many so many modes. You have no excuse for being low in faith, or lacking knowledge of what the Word of God says. You have no excuse for not walking in the light of God’s Word. And when you do, the constant application of and obedience to the Word of God sets you in a place where the blood of Jesus continually cleanses you from all sin. And that, dear reader, is the ultimate aim of and fruit of true repentance; turning from your wicked ways.
Manna for Today – 2 Chronicles 6:3 – 7:15; Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:5 & 4:8; Joshua 1:8; 1 John 1:7; Ephesians 5:26; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Corinthians 14:4; Jude 20-21; Proverbs 23:7
My Second Miler by Dr. Beechard Moorefield 