The Cure

When is the last time you had a checkup? You know, the kind where you freely trust and permit the expert physician to check the condition of your health. This year of 2023, I’ve frequented so many medical professionals of various sorts that I have lost count. At one point I was in someone’s medical office every other day. It wasn’t until now that I realized how drastically the frequency of those visits have ceased. Thank God! Nonetheless, they were and still are a vital part of my healing process. Much like the vitalness of our appointments with God; our great Physician. Just as in every doctor’s visit, a stethoscope is used to help amplify internal body sounds from the heart; God Himself is the Examiner of our heart.

So I pose the question again… When is the last time you had a check up?

What has the Knower of Hearts revealed to you about the condition of your’s lately?

These questions aren’t meant to ignite condemnation but rather self-examination. Because our spiritual state is as critical as our physical one. More critical, actually. But, often times our physical health is easier to keep in check because we can tangibly see what contaminates the body and what course of action is most beneficial to our recovery. Whereas spiritually, we are often ignorant to the impurities of our heart and therefore neglect the act of repentance -which is our spiritual medicine.

There is power and necessity in repentance. It is the posture in which we first came to Christ in the first place. Convicted of our sinful ways, we turned from it and turned to a Savior Who could cleanse us. But because we are sinners by nature, we constantly need our Physician to examine us through and through; curing our brokenness, wrong thinking, known & unknown sin. Repentance is just one of the necessary prescriptions we need daily. How do I know? Certainly not because I studied medicine. Kudos to you ladies in the medical field though!!

Rather 2 Chronicles 7:14 gives us clear directions for our healing. It reads:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways [repent], then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 

Emphasis mine.

God knows our heart and the wickedness it contains -even when we are oblivious to it. Ungodly ways like selfishness, covetousness (wanting what others have), believing the lies of the enemy, fear, indifference, unforgiveness, not stewarding your blessings well, and so many other things that are known to God yet unknown to us. But when we stand in faith, knowing that we are God’s people, when we posture our hearts in humbling ourselves, when we resolve to seek God’s face, turning towards Him and away from our own self-serving ways; it is then that our prayers are heard, we are forgiven for these ways called wickedness & healing begins!

God delights in heartfelt repentance. He loves when we come to the end of ourselves because He longs to show up for us and provide substantial healing and restoration! Truth is, no matter how strong, intelligent or talented we are; we need the power of Jesus Christ on even our best day. And when we consider His faithfulness up against our lack there of; it leads us to a place of holy gratitude and repentance; the cure.

What I love about God is His intentionality in giving us these instructions found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Our all wise God did not give us this recipe for the sake of just giving it. But mind you, in previous chapters (found in Deuteronomy), He had already revealed that He created us to possess the land and take dominion. This dominion is less about comfort & lavishness of life, and more about establishing God’s glory in the earth. (But don’t worry, our living lavish is attained once we arrive in eternity.)

Nine chapters later, in our key verse, God discloses the how behind the victory!! Humble ourselves, pray, seek Him and turn from ungodly ways. He didn’t want us to just receive blessings and continue in our wickedness. That would only land us a cozy earthly life with no lasting advantage or eternal salvation. The Lord cares for you and I wayyyy too much to do that. It would be the equivalent of giving us a bandaid for a wound that needs medicinal care… Again Our Great Physician.

And sis, though there are things we want, we have to come to a place where we desire to be genuinely right with God more than anything. Not just lip service, but constant change of heart. Certainly not religious duties or a spiritual checklist, but true, sincere, right living. Not even from a place of fear but rather from a recognization of His everlasting love. This place is called the posture of  REPENTANCE. 

Its' dosage has no limits. It may be expressed by way of words or by way of tears. Its’ side affects always results in changed behavior -not perfect but progressive. The power of sincere repentance breaks strongholds, generational curses and changes false perceptions. The succession of repentance produces intimacy with God, sensitivity to Holy Spirit's leading and a healed heart. Our promised benefit is that our loving God will hear our prayers, cover us in forgiveness  and heal that which needs healing!!

He loves you. He always will. He knows you. Better than you know yourself. He delights in you. You’re His prized possession. He wants you. More than anyone in this world. So run. Into the loving arms of the Father. Repent. Truly repent. And receive.

Lets pray:

Our Great Physician, thank You for being You. Healer, Provider, Sustainer, Father, Friend, and Savior. You have been so good to me. You love me in spite of my flaws. Forgive me for the times I’ve been ignorant to Your ways. Forgive me for the times I’ve operated in opposition to You -both known & unknown. I repent. I also ask You to show me specifically what I need to repent for, so that I can do so with my whole heart. I invite You to make my heart Your home. Refine me until I look like You. Open my eyes and never remove Your righteous right hand off of me. Help me to humble myself, pray, seek Your face and turn from my wicked ways. Hear my prayers, forgive my sins and heal my land -whatever land that may be. Strengthen me and make me victorious. I take hold of all that You have for me as I stay in a posture of genuine repentance. Thank You Lord for it all both here on earth and my inheritance in Heaven! 

In Jesus’ name, amen.