and turn from their wicked ways
“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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Turning from our wicked ways involves two things—repentance and changed lives. Repentance involves deep sorrow and regret for any past action. The Bible makes a distinction between two kinds of sorrow—”Godly sorrow bring repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Just feeling bad about something leaves us feeling condemned, defeated, useless, disqualified. But true repentance is a result of God’s initiative—God the Holy Spirit convicts us of guilt in regard to sin (John 16:8). Repentance is agreeing with God that what happened was wrong, sinful, contrary to God’s laws. Jesus said that the pure in heart would see God (Matthew 5:8). God purifies our hearts and our relationship with Him is restored as we confess and repent of our sins. God, in His mercy, saves us from receiving all that we deserve, giving us blessing instead of curses, life instead of death. He set this choice before the Israelites (Deuteronomy 30:19), and He sets it before us today. Repentance is vital, but it is not enough. We must also live changed lives. Godly sorrow leads to different actions, not just the words, “I’m sorry.” Jesus said to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). We do this by intentionally turning away from sin, and turning towards God. When we stop sinning, we’re telling God we’re serious about following Him.
There is another kind of repentance, often called “identificational repentance,” in which we repent on behalf of others (Nehemiah and Job both did this). We can’t repent unto salvation for someone else, but we can pray for God to forgive sins that were committed by others. God said that He is “punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Deuteronomy 5:9—10). Personally, in our city, and in our nation, we all reap the consequences of sins committed by others. When we repent on behalf of others, we change the course of history.
Prayer: Father, please show me anything that I need to repent of. Give me the strength to stop sinning and turn completely away from sin. Help me to live according to Your plan for my life, and hide Your word in my heart. Show me how to repent personally, for my city, and for my nation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
