During our Monday evening prayer time at church, I was thinking and praying about 2 Chronicles 7:14.  The first few words of the verse say, “If My people who are called”. That began a thought process in my mind of digging deeper into this familiar verse and how it may impact us today.

So, who is called? “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.” (1 Corinthians 7:17). God knew us before we were born, (Jeremiah 1:5), and He assigned a purpose to us. “Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, Who saved us and called us to a holy calling,” (2 Timothy 1:8-9). So, it appears that we are all called. But here is something scary, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14). We see that it’s critical that, when we are called, we must answer in the affirmative. God has, “called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9). If we answer His call, we are His people.

Then God says, “by My name”, we are called by His name., we are identified by His name. If we’re devoted to a sports team, we say, “I’m a ____ fan.” (You fill in the blank.) But when you’re a part of a family, you’re identified with that family name. Big difference! We are called to be a part of God’s family but there’s something we must do first, we must accept the name of Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. By accepting Jesus, we become part of God’s family and answer the calling.

So, what’s the next step? According to the verse, God’s called people must “humble themselves”. Notice that it says, “themselves”. We must humble ourselves, declare that it’s not all about us, admit we need a Saviour and bow to His calling. Either we humble ourselves or…God will humble us! We’re His family now and if we get on our high horse, He’s going to bring us back down to reality.

Then, we must “pray”. There are many kinds of prayer: fervent prayer, (James 5:16), fasting prayer, (Matthew 17:21), intercessory prayer for others, praying in the Spirit, (Ephesians 6:18), praise & worship, spiritual warfare, and thanksgiving prayer. We must pray. And, as we do, we have to, “seek My face”. This is not a quick email, text or call to an office to speak to a secretary. We get to connect with the CEO because He’s given us access to the Throne Room and is waiting to meet with us. Seek His face not His hand. Spend time with Him.

So, here we are, His called people, in the throne Room, humbled before Him speaking our needs to Him as He listens. Then He says, “Child, you’ve done well to prepare yourself to be here but there’s one more thing I need you to do, turn from your wicked ways.” We must confess, repent, ask forgiveness and receive His mercy. THEN, He says…“will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  Are we called?