Bjcorbin's Blog

We humans have an uncanny ability to see only what we choose to see, and to ignore the aspects we don’t want to acknowledge.  Two popular scriptures exemplify this phenomena.  The first is the oft quoted 2 Chron. 7:14, which says “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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”.  This verse clearly addresses the posture of one’s heart, if they hope for their prayers to be effective, and yet we generally skip right past those requirements, and jump to the desired outcome.  Thus, the common takeaway becomes “Pray for our nation”, which presumes that these other issues have already been addressed.  Similarly, Isaiah 40:31, “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”, is a popular catchphrase for Christian t-shirts, posters and bumper stickers.  But if a picture is included, you can be sure it will be of eagles soaring, and not people waiting.  In both cases these assurances are predicated on us taking the first step.  There is little doubt that we’d all like to soar like eagles, and to see our land healed, but the burning question is, are we willing to endure the process of apprehending those precious promises.

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