(2 Chronicles 6:36-39 HCSB) 36 When they sin against You — for there is no one who does not sin — and You are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, and their captors deport them to a distant or nearby country, 37 and when they come to their senses in the land where they were deported and repent and petition You in their captors’ land, saying: “We have sinned and done wrong; we have been wicked,” 38 and when they return to You with their whole mind and heart in the land of their captivity where they were taken captive, and when they pray in the direction of their land that You gave their ancestors, and the city You have chosen, and toward the temple I have built for Your name, 39 may You hear their prayer and petitions in heaven, Your dwelling place, and uphold their cause. May You forgive Your people who sinned against You.
Have you ever done something and then said, “Why in the world did I do that? Or, “I should have known better than that! I have. Many times!
I remember deciding I would cut and hang some crown molding in our house. I had done all the prep work–I had bought the molding, measured the lengths, set up the saw–In my mind, I had really thought this project through. I had even watched some DIY videos on Youtube so I would be thoroughly prepared for this simple little job.
When it came time to cut the wood, I messed it up terribly. I could not remember which way to turn the wood so the saw would cut the necessary angle on the proper side. I’m sorry to admit that I tried several times and FAILED EVERY TIME! I was embarrassed, and a little angry that I had ruined the pieces of molding I had paid good money for.
I went back to the store to buy more wood when the employee at the lumber yard asked, “Weren’t you just here?” I sheepishly admitted that I had been there earlier and shared with him what I had done, and how frustrated I was that I could not do the job properly. He chuckled and shared with me that I was not alone; that this simple job was messed up by most of the amateurs who tried to do it. He said, “Let me show you a simple trick that will enable you to make the proper cut EVERY TIME! He continued, “Anyone, with a little common sense can do it!” He had more faith than I did!
In dedicating the temple, Solomon prayed and asked God to have mercy on the people. He said, “When they come to their senses…” and “When they return to you with their whole mind and heart…may you hear their prayer…may You forgive Your people…”
How many times have you messed up? You may be dealing with problems right now that are a direct result of poor choices on your part. I have good news to bring! God will always forgive and help those who come to their senses! John wrote, (1 John 2:1 HCSB) 1 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father — Jesus Christ the Righteous One.
That is very good news!
PRAYER: Lord, please be patient with me as I bring my thoughts back in to proper alignment with your will. Many times, I’ve been guilty of not using common sense. But, with Your help I will come to my senses so that I can be forgiven and restored. Amen!
Thinking Out Loud 