Returning Back To God In Repentance

"RETURNING BACK TO GOD IN REPENTANCE"

Scripture Reference:

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) –

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

Introduction

Today, we are reminded of a timeless truth that transcends generations, cultures, and societies. In a world filled with challenges—personal, national, and global—God still extends His hand of mercy and calls us to return to Him. The promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is as relevant today as it was when it was spoken to Solomon thousands of years ago. It speaks directly to the condition of the human heart, the power of repentance, and God's incredible willingness to heal and restore.

This message isn't just for those in crisis, but for everyone who recognizes their need for God's touch in their lives.  Today, we’ll explore four key elements of this scripture that serve as a blueprint for spiritual revival: humility, prayer, seeking God's face, and turning from wicked ways.  Let us journey together through this verse and discover how we can experience God's forgiveness, hear His voice, and witness healing in our lives and in our land.

THE CALL TO HUMILITY – “If My People… Will Humble Themselves”

WHAT IS HUMILITY?

Humility is the first step in approaching God. It’s a recognition that we are not self-sufficient, that we are not the source of our own strength, and that we need help. The Bible speaks of humility as an attitude of the heart where we acknowledge our need for God, set aside our pride, and admit that we cannot do it alone.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God begins with the phrase, “If my people…” This is a reminder that this call is directed to those who belong to God, those who are in relationship with Him. Even the people of God, at times, need to be reminded to walk humbly before Him. The truth is that pride can creep into any heart, leading us to rely on our own understanding or strength, distancing us from God.

WHY IS HUMILITY IMPORTANT?

God values humility because it reflects a heart that is open to correction, guidance, and transformation. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humility opens the door for God to work in us, whereas pride puts up walls. When we humble ourselves, we create space for God to move.

HOW DO WE HUMBLE OURSELVES?

Humbling ourselves involves several practical steps:

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR NEED FOR GOD: It starts with realizing that we are dependent on Him. Whether it’s in small decisions or major life crises, we need God’s wisdom and intervention.

ADMIT OUR SHORTCOMINGS: Confession is a powerful act of humility. When we admit our mistakes, we are recognizing that we are not perfect, and we need grace.

SUBMIT TO God’s WILL: Humility also means yielding to God’s plans, even when they differ from our own desires.

In our modern world, humility might be seen as weakness, but in God’s eyes, it is strength. True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less and focusing more on God’s greatness.

THE POWER OF PRAYER – “...And Pray…”

WHAT IS PRAYER?

Prayer is communication with God. It is more than a ritual or a recitation of words—it is a deep, personal conversation with the Creator. In the context of this verse, God calls His people to engage in meaningful, heartfelt prayer. He’s not asking for mindless repetition or obligation-driven prayers, but for genuine connection.

WHY IS PRAYER CRUCIAL?

Prayer is the lifeline of the believer. It is how we stay connected to the heart of God and align our desires with His will. The Bible is filled with examples of prayer making a difference—changing circumstances, healing the sick, and bringing about deliverance. Jesus Himself modeled a life of prayer, often withdrawing to spend time with His Father.

In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

THE ROLE OF PRAYER IN REVIVAL 

In the context of 2 Chronicles 7:14, prayer is a vital part of seeking revival and restoration. Revival always begins with prayer. Historically, every major revival in the Church has been birthed in a season of prayer. When God's people pray, the spiritual climate changes. Prayer brings us into alignment with God’s purposes and invites His supernatural intervention.

HOW SHOULD WE PRAY?

Pray with sincerity: God is not impressed by eloquent words but by the sincerity of our hearts. Come to Him authentically, sharing your joys, fears, and failures.

Pray with persistence: Sometimes we don’t see immediate answers, but persistent prayer is an act of faith. Keep knocking on the door, trusting that God hears you.

Pray in community: While individual prayer is essential, there is great power in collective prayer. When the Church prays together, mountains can move. In Acts 2, the early church experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit after praying together in unity.

SEEKING God’s FACE – “…And Seek My Face…”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SEEK God’s FACE?

To seek God’s face means to pursue a deeper relationship with Him. It is not merely asking for His blessings or His hand of provision but desiring to know Him intimately. It’s about being in His presence, understanding His heart, and growing in communion with Him.

In our fast-paced lives, we often seek God's hand—His provision, His help, His miracles. But God invites us to seek His face. This is a call to intimacy. It’s about developing a relationship where we know God not just as a distant deity but as a loving Father who desires a personal connection with us.

WHY IS SEEKING GOD IMPORTANT?

When we seek God’s face, we prioritize Him above all else. Matthew 6:33 reminds us, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” When we place God at the center of our lives, everything else falls into place.

Seeking God’s face leads to transformation. As we spend time in His presence, we begin to reflect His character. The more time we spend with Him, the more we become like Him—loving, patient, and filled with peace.

HOW DO WE SEEK God’s FACE?

Spend time in His Word: The Bible is the primary way God reveals Himself to us. Through Scripture, we learn about His nature, His will, and His promises.

Engage in worship: Worship is an expression of seeking God’s face. It shifts our focus from ourselves to Him, exalting Him above our circumstances.

Practice stillness: In a noisy world, learning to be still before God is crucial. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Quieting our hearts allows us to hear His voice more clearly.

TURNING FROM WICKED WAYS – “…And Turn from Their Wicked Ways…”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TURN?

The word “turn” signifies a change in direction, a decision to stop going one way and start going another. Biblically, this is the essence of repentance. To repent means to acknowledge sin, feel genuine sorrow for it, and make a deliberate choice to turn away from it.

God calls His people not only to humble themselves, pray, and seek His face, but also to turn from their wicked ways. This is a crucial part of the process. God’s forgiveness and healing come when we repent and forsake the sins that have separated us from Him.

WHY IS REPENTANCE NECESSARY?

Sin creates a barrier between us and God. Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear.” God, in His holiness, cannot overlook sin. But He is also merciful and ready to forgive when we turn back to Him.

Repentance brings freedom. Often, we think that holding onto sin is easier than letting go, but sin always brings bondage, while repentance brings liberation. Jesus came to set us free from the power of sin, and repentance is the key to experiencing that freedom.

How Do We Turn from Wicked Ways?

ACKNOWLEDGE SIN: The first step is recognizing that we have gone astray. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, not to condemn us, but to bring us back into alignment with God’s will.

CONFESS AND RENOUNCE SIN: Confession is the act of agreeing with God about our wrongdoing, while renouncing sin means turning away from it and committing to live in obedience to God.

PURSUE HOLINESS: Repentance is not a one-time event but a lifestyle. It’s a continual turning away from sin and turning towards God’s righteousness.

THE PROMISE OF HEALING – “Then I Will Hear from Heaven…”

God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is not just about personal transformation, but also about communal and even national healing. When we humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, God promises to hear us, forgive our sins, and heal our land.

This healing is not just physical but spiritual, emotional, and relational. Our world desperately needs healing today, and God has given us the blueprint for revival. The change starts with us—with humble hearts, fervent prayers, a deep hunger for God, and a commitment to holiness.

Let us respond to this call, not just with words but with actions. Let us be a people who seek God passionately, pray fervently, and turn from our sins. And as we do, may we see God move in powerful ways, bringing healing and restoration to our lives, our communities, and our nations.

PRAYER FOCUS 

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with humble hearts. We recognize our need for You, and we acknowledge that we cannot fix ourselves or our world on our own. 

We ask that You would help us to humble ourselves, to pray with sincerity, to seek Your face, and to turn from our sins. 

Forgive us, Lord, and heal our land. 

Restore what has been broken, and let Your will be done in our lives. 

We pray for revival—personally, in our churches, and in our nations. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.