Healing Begins With Humility

      

Armenia. Aruba. Ashmore & Cartier Islands (no flag). Australia. Austria. Azerbaijan. Bahamas. Bahrain.

Today's countries and territories vary in size and location. Some have great wealth while others are consistently challenged.  Some are heavily populated, one place is completely uninhabited. And yet, God created them all.

God's promise to "heal your land" was a response to a prayer of blessing that Solomon offered on behalf of the people of Israel. This was done as part of the opening of the new temple that Solomon was tasked to construct as part of his rule as King. Throughout this prayer he asks God to forgive his people.

I find that God responds when we are honest with ourselves to know when we are wrong and out of line.  This is where his call for us to "humble ourselves".  Being humble is not just knowing when you're in need of someone's help.  Being humble is knowing when you've done someone wrong and can approach them in a way that shows true reflection and honest insight.  Samuel asks for forgiveness as part of his prayer for blessing and dedication because he knows that true healing comes through humility.

As I pray for these countries and these people, I think about ways in which I have viewed certain countries wrong, or have made assumptions about people based on what they looked like or sounded like.  As a history buff, I have the ability sometimes to still see people from certain areas through a lens that is simply outdated.  For that I ask God to forgive me!

God, help me to love people no matter their country history, or the situations in which they've come.  Help me to open up my heart, eyes, and mind to those around me who may speak differently, look differently or believe differently.  And Lord, help people all around the world who are overlooked even within these countries, help them to be comforted and know that although people may not see them, that you can see them, that you will hear them, and that you will heal their land.

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