The Price of Greatness

There is a wonderful passage that most of us have heard especially in the context of what we need to do as a nation. The verse is 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my 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.”

There is an element in this short but powerful verse that I want to draw your attention to. The phrase, “shall humble themselves, and pray…” is what I refer to. That simple statement is a stumbling block to saved and lost alike. The simple act of humility is rare and it is also the first step of a student. When we are really going to learn and to be blessed we must begin with the acknowledgment that there is someone greater or smarter who will teach us.

In our context there is the One who is greater who can save us, guide us, keep us and sustain us. From the moment we call out in salvation we begin a journey of drawing closer to Him as we continue to humble ourselves and find where He will lead us. We get in trouble when we don’t keep this attitude.

I am blessed to have a great group of volunteers who are dynamic and humble prayer intercessors. They have set their priorities right, they value interceding for others over self. Every time you and I maintain our own prayer life and daily Bible study in a way that keeps us in an attitude to be used of God that is great. Sir Winston Churchill said that, “The price of greatness is responsibility.”

The world has far too many religious people. We need people of character who look for opportunities to make faith attractive and are willing to serve God wherever and whenever He leads. That is our daily responsibility to be humble and to kneel in prayer. Then, having prayed, we need to stand ready for the action that God will lead us to.

Copyright 2009 Charles Lyons