2 Chronicles 12

“Now when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, ‘They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance.’” (2 Chronicles 12:7, NKJV)

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly God is willing to forgive and relent from bringing disaster when people simply humble themselves and repent. Rehoboam had forsaken the LORD and refused to walk in His laws. Nevertheless, when the Egyptians invaded the land, Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is righteous.” When the LORD saw this, He determined that He would not destroy them. Nevertheless, they would serve the king of Egypt for a while to learn the difference between serving God and serving the world.

Sin is a terrible taskmaster. And anyone who sins is a slave of sin (John 8:34). If we find ourselves caught in a sin, then the thing to do is to humble ourselves and say, “The LORD is righteous. His ways are right, and His actions are just.” If you are suffering for your sin, then praise God! He is disciplining you as any good father would do. Don’t be sullen or discouraged. Don’t pretend that you’re righteous when you’re not. Humble yourself and agree with God. Confess where you have sinned against him or against others, and He will forgive you.

Whenever I disciplined our children, I only wanted to see a change of heart. I wanted to see the defiance turn to brokenness. Sometimes there were tears of sorrow. But that meant that a good lesson had been learned. We are God’s children, and He doesn’t want to harm us, but He does want to break us of our sin and our arrogant attitudes.

“For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’” (Isaiah 57:15, NKJV)

Father, thank you that you love us enough to correct us when we’re wrong. Help us to bow beneath your chastening hand and agree that you are righteous. Thank you for not punishing us as our sins deserve. Help us humble ourselves in your presence and maintain a contrite and teachable spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.