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The people of Israel struggled with obedience to the
Lord and He allowed them to be conquered and carried away. When Ezra
and the remnant left Babylon after 70 years of captivity, he
realized that this was not a project that could be handled in the
flesh. He needed divine guidance from the Lord and had everyone stop
so they could fast and repent. There are no shortcuts in the Kingdom of God. King
David could not be forgiven and restored until he first asked for
forgiveness and repented of his transgressions. Fasting and
repenting is much more than an emotional response to sin; it is a
way of identifying the sin and renouncing it, but all this is an
exercise in futility unless there is a willingness to correct your
sinful actions and seek forgiveness. God told King Solomon that if the Israelites humbled
themselves and repented, the Lord would respond in turn. In other
words, God’s response was predicated upon mankind’s action. There is
a place of rest that God has prepared for all who are seek and give
forgiveness and repent. It is a place of refuge and incredible peace
in the midst of turmoil regardless of where you are in life. |
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