Christian Commentary Encouraging Devotions

When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you,

and when they pray and confess your name

and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them,

then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people.

Teach them the right way to live,

and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance. 2 Chron. 6:26-27

When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them,

and when they pray to you,

then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause.

When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—

and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy,

who takes them captive to a land far away or near;

and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive,

and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity and say,

'We have sinned, we have done wrong and acted wickedly';

and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul

in the land of their captivity where they were taken,

and pray then from heaven, your dwelling place,

hear their prayer and their pleas, and uphold their cause.

And forgive your people, who have sinned against you. 2 Chron. 6:34-39

And here comes "the biggie"...

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 Chron. 7:14

Could it be any plainer?

King Asa called to the Lord his God and said,

"Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty.

Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you,

and in your name we have come against this vast army.

O Lord, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you." 2 Chron. 14:11

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth

to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

God is always on the alert,

constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. 2 Chron. 16:9

Will you (and I) be counted in that number?

(In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet.

Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord,

but only from the physicians. 2 Chron. 16:12)

This is what the Lord says to you:

'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.

For the battle is not yours, but God's'. 2 Chron. 20:15,17

Do we believe it? That the battle really is the Lord's?

Too often we act like it's ours.

If you return to the Lord, the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate.

He will not turn his face from you if you return to him. 2 Chron. 30:9

There's always a second chance. Thank God for that!

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the vast army,

for there is a greater power with us than with them.

With them is only the arm of flesh,

but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles. 2 Chron. 32:7,8

Isn't that encouraging?!

Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God

when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people,

and because you humbled yourself before me

and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. 2 Chron. 34:27