Matters of Faith: An Attitude of Gratitude

“AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE”

by Rev. J. Loren Russell

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (NKJV)

13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.

As we wait with eager anticipation for the one day a year that has been designated in the United States as the day we give thanks for all the wonderful and marvelous ways the Lord has blessed us, I’m reminded through the text that there are many who have little to be thankful for. They are suffering through the drought of verse 13; the Lord has shut up the heavens, there is no rain, the locusts have devoured the land, and pestilence has pleagued the people.

No matter how bad things may seem, no matter how overwhelming they are, the blessings you have in your life drawf your woes. The scripture text was written to give encouragement to those who had been in captivity, but are now returning to their own land. The lingering effects of years in captivity can be devastating. There was no hope for emancipation for the Hebrews except that the Lord would deliver them.

You may be someone who feels that your situation is as bad or worse than the Hebrew nation. But let me encourage you, no matter the depth or the severity of your situation, the same deliver and the same deliverence that set the captives free is likewise available to you. As bad as it may seem, God promises that He will use all things for our good (Romans 8:28). He didn’t say some things, He said &all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, to them who are called according to His purpose.

Don’t miss the last part of that statement, &to them that love the Lord, those who are called according to His purpose. It’s the same promise but in different words that is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways…

The requirement is that we give Him our hearts. Our gifts are nice, but it’s our hearts that He desires. When we humble ourselves, we surrender to Him. When we pray, we rely on Him. When we seek His face, we are set free from the world and all its trials, tribulations, sorrows, disappointments, and woes. When we turn from our wicked ways, we recognize that of ourselves we can do nothing, but through him, all things are possible.

When the writer uses the word then, He shows us what will happen  when we humble, pray, seek and turn.  He lets us in on a mystery that can change our lives if we but obey. When you take your eyes off of yourself and take your hand off the steering wheel to give God control, then the Angels will cry out and He will, sitting on His throne in heaven, hear your cry, know the desires of your heart, forgive your sins, and heal your land; Then, I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

We are still his people. We are still called by His name. We can still humble ourselves, pray, and turn from our wicked ways. Those things are in our control; its our choice. Then, we can  reflect on all He has done for us, and have an attitude of gratitude.

Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church and Financial Consulting, an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio (internet), Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. http://tobtr.com/s/7436671, or by phone at 626-226-1448.  

Note: Matters of Faith: The Radio show will air from 9:0

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