Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:11-14 NKJV

God promises prosperity and fruitfulness in whatever He leads you to do (see Prov. 10:22; Jos. 1:8; Ps. 1:1-3) and that your blessings will increase without toiling if you fulfill four conditions: humility, prayer, seeking God, and repentance of sin. These also are conditions of forgiveness. But if you refuse to fulfill these four conditions, God will bring judgment rather than blessings (verse 13).

The word “if” is a conjunction that joins together a condition, an event, or a thought together with something that happens. For example, God said, “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land (Isa. 1:19). “If” is a small two letter word that has a big impact in our lives. Why? It is the “little foxes that spoil the vine” (Song.  2:15). “If” is like a “little fox.” When the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, notwithstanding Israel’s then good success and prosperity, He warned him of four conditions that were connected to “if” in order that the Lord would send blessings rather than judgment on the nation. These four conditions were humility, prayer, seeking God, and repentance of sin. Let’s focus on the first condition: humility.

Blessings, success and prosperity are preceded by humility. Pride is the opposite of humility. Pride is the enemy of humility (Prov. 16:18).  Pride is being haughty and high-minded. Humility is lowliness of mind. Humility is a pre-condition to blessings and prosperity. For example, Jesus said, “if” you humble yourself and become like little children, you can be great in the kingdom of God (Matt. 18:1-4); the writer of Hebrews said that “if” you obey and submit (act of humility) to church leadership, your soul would be joyfully watched over (Heb. 13:17); and, the Apostle Peter said that “if” you’re clothed with humility, then God would exalt you in due season (1 Pt. 5:5-6).

“If” God’s people will humble themselves, then God will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Your year 2020 blessing, prosperity and success is depended on “if.” Happy New Year!