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 Chronicles 7:14.
Humility is not our culture’s most valued asset or most desired character quality. However, humility is what is needed—not so much because it’s commanded (though that would be enough), but because we’ve “earned” our need for humility through our arrogance and abandonment of God and his character, compassion, and faithful lovingkindness. Every year brings another wave of major failures in morality, character, and spirituality among our leaders, both political and religious. Even on our best days, we all fall short of God’s holiness. Rather than progressing culturally, we find ourselves slipping, rebelling, and degrading ourselves. Our need to approach God with humility is “earned.” So let’s be humble ourselves and call upon the Lord, throwing off our sin and seeking after him. Only then will we begin to see our hope for a brighter future emerge and healing come to the people.