Page 254 - Bible Writers Theology Original

238 ♦ Bible Writers'Theology Chapter Eight
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sworn with all their heart, and ^ou^t him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: eind the LORD gave them rest round about" (n Chronicles 15:12-19; I Kings 21:27-29).
King Hezekiah, who proclaimed a Passover and healed the people, when he "...prayed for them saying.The good Lord pardon every one That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctu- aiy" (U Chronicles 30:18-20).
When Solomon completed the building of the temple, God appeared imto him as an answer to his prayer and told him, "If my people, which arecalled bymy name, shall 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" (11 Chronicles 7:12-14).
The prophet Isaiah speaks about God's promises to the penitent. "Let the wicked forsake ids way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and-let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7). He adds, "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always worth: for the spirit should fail before me, and
the souls which I have made" (Isaiah 57:15-18; Isaiah 66:2).
The Ninevites were spared from destruction because they repented upon hearing the preaching of Jonah, saving themselves from destruc tion: ".^dGod saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; andGod repented oftheevil, thathehadsaidhewoulddo unto them; and he did it not" Gonah 3:4-10; I Timothy 1:15-16).
James, in his epistle, shows the steps to divine favOn "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves there fore to God...Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Oeanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourn ingandyourjoytoheaviness. Humbleyourselvesinthesightofthe Lord, and heshall lift you up" Qames 4:6-10; I Peter 5:6).
^^Godly sorrow worketh repentance to forgiveness" (If Corinthians 7:10)
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• ThePsalmistsaid,"Againstthee,theeonly,haveIsinned,anddone this evil in thy sight that thou mightest be justified when thou speak-