Morning Thoughts - by Elder Philip Conley

Morning Thoughts

II Chronicles 7:14, "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."

This morning, there are many of the Lord's people that are walking in unbelief, sin, unrighteousness, and are being deceived. Here, the Lord is telling Solomon at the dedication of the temple what the conditions are for His presence to be showered down around His people. While the Lord never forsakes His people, He does allow them to suffer in this world for their wrongdoings. Sometimes, (as the case was with Job) He allows them to suffer for His glory (but in that case the end is better than the beginning).

To fully understand this verse (or any verse in the Bible) one MUST know who it is addressed to. The promises of the Bible are not written to everyone, and the blessings to be found are only for a select group of people. The Lord makes it very clear that He is only directing this to HIS PEOPLE. They are the ones that He loved, foreknew, predestinated, called, justified, and glorified. This set of conditions is not applicable to all of Adam's race, but only the elect.

So, after it is established who is under consideration, then we move on to the conditions. These conditions are NOT what is necessary for one to be carried to heaven and immortal glory. That is already established when the Lord calls them His people. These are conditions to be able to eat the good of the land, enjoy His blessings, and partake of the earnest of our inheritance. The Lord tells His people that they must turn from their wicked ways, seek His face, pray, and humble themselves. If they must do these things, then I must conclude that the Lord's people can get in an unrighteous state and not be in true perseverance after the Lord changes their heart. Therefore, this conditional salvation is not one that all of God's people will follow after throughout the course of their lives.

This is the salvation that only the remnant will be a part of that Paul speaks about in Romans 9:27. This is a salvation that brings "heaven on earth" when we feel the presence of the Lord directing us and our footsteps. This is a salvation that can heal a land that we stand so very much in need of today. This is a salvation that brings us peace with God, and makes our calling and election sure unto ourselves. This is a salvation that even though we must put forth effort, God is still the one who gives us the ability and desire to do so. Therefore, the honour, glory, and credit still go to Him, and we do not honour ourselves by our righteous deeds. May we ever seek His face to guide us.

In Hope,

Bro Philip