This verse is often quoted in the context of the trouble we see in our land, in our nation and the world. Many a follower of Christ invokes this verse when times are especially bad. But is there the sort of collective turning called for by this verse? Is there such a turning as will touch the heart of God and He will hear from heaven, send forgiveness of sin and healing to the land?
I wonder sometimes if we as Christians in the West think more in terms of getting back to “the good old days” when we just didn‘t have to worry about so many things going wrong. I wonder, if God did send forgiveness and healing, if we would not soon slip back into complacency and apathy toward our lifestyle and the state of the nation and the world. Might we think, “Whew, dodged that bullet of judgment”, or would we continue in a state of genuine restoration with God. Even the context of this verse tells me that might be the case. When God spoke these words to Solomon the people were not living in sin. They were in the middle of a great celebration of the building of the temple. Look at verse 13. It is more like a forewarning.
Can followers of Christ continue in a genuine spirit of brokenness with God? How do they do that? Yes, I believe it is possible to live in a genuine spirit of brokenness with God. I believe it has to do with the part of this verse that says, “…and my people who are called by my name HUMBLE THEMSELVES…” It will require that followers live in a state of humility before God.
I don’t think much can happen or be sustained without humility. Humility is the starting point in this verse. Without humility there will be no real prayer, no seeking God’s face, no turning from sin, hearing from heaven. Humility, I believe, is vitally important to staying right with God. Consider Micah 6:8 – “[God] has told you O man what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to WALK HUMBLY with your God.”
Someone asked me what I thought it meant to be broken before the Lord. I believe that to be broken means to be humble toward God – it is Him whom we have offended. When we think of brokenness we tend to think of weeping and whaling, going around in sackcloth and ashes. But living in a state of brokenness is not so much an act of some kind. It is more a state of mind, a state of the heart in which God my dwell and work.
In Isaiah 57:15 God says, “…I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite [broken/humble] and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite [broken/humble]. “ This is living in brokenness, humility before God.
In the Old Testament the word “humble” means to bring a proud, stubborn, disobedient spirit into subjection. The related Arabic root means to fold (like the wings of a bird). What a beautiful picture of humility. This word is used thirty-six times in the Old Testament. Eighteen are a reference to spiritual submission (fifteen of these is a reference to a king submitting himself and his nation to God, e.g. 1 Kings 21:29). The emphasis is on a proud spirit lowering itself. As long as a person or nation is arrogant and self-sufficient, God can do nothing for them. We must reflect in our lives a genuine dependence upon God. “Helplessness” is a word that has been used to describe this heart attitude that God accepts as prayer. Norwegian theologian Ole Hallesby is reported to have said, “Only he who is helpless can truly pray.”
God says, in Isaiah 57:15 that
He will dwell with/in the humble.
He will revive the spirit of the humble.
He will embrace and not shun the humble.
It is as if God Himself bows to humility.
If brokenness/humility is the key to knowing restoration (forgiveness and healing) what can we do to sustain such a virtue? May I suggest a reading of Philippians 2:3,4. Putting others interests ahead of my own helps me get a sense of what God has done for me. Philippians tells me that Jesus humbled Himself for me, a sinner. We are never more like God than when we are humbling ourselves. Putting others first helps us to flesh out humility before God.
In his book, The Imitation of Christ, Thomas a' Kempis writes, “…humility will know the peace of God. But do not think you have accomplished anything until you consider yourself as much less than others.”
Lord, teach us and our leaders how to walk in humility/brokenness every day (before you and before others). Root out areas of pride in our lives. Show us where they exist and teach us how to deal effectively with them. We may only hope to achieve a thimble full of humility/brokenness in our whole lives but grant, O Lord, that we may approach some portion of this virtue. Then again, it is not we who can achieve it but only You in us. As we are privileged to know such a state of mind and heart let us engage You in prayer, seek Your face, and turn from our sin. Then we may know that You have heard from heaven, will forgive us and heal of our land. Give us grace then to continue a life of humility/brokenness before You.
