Mar17

"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." 2Chronicles 7:14

This verse is sometimes used out of context without giving regard to its primary meaning. It has been quoted as a promise to us to do certain things, and God will do certain things in return. The verse is often tailored to fit into any situation. It was heard and read a multiple number of times after the September 11th tragedy.
The interpretation of a verse of Scripture will teach what it means in its setting and context. However, it may not be written to us at all. We can think of and read many commands given in the Old Testament which are not commands given to us. However, the application of Scripture is for us. God avails much to teach us throughout the entire Bible.

The setting for this particular verse is at the dedication of David's temple which Solomon had built. It is God's Word to Solomon concerning that land in that day.God remembers the prayers of His people, and He says to Solomon, "If my people, which are called by my name . . ." God is talking to Solomon about Israel. Now, if they will humble themselves, if they will pray, if they will seek His face, if they will turn from their wicked ways, then God promises three things to Israel: He will hear their prayer, He will forgive them, He will heal their land. These were definite conditions that God put down for Israel.

Now, when you go to the New Testament, you find that John the Baptist says, ". . . Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2). And the Lord Jesus Christ repeated that, calling upon the nation to meet these conditions, so that the promises of God could be fulfilled.

This verse has a message for us to apply today. We can't toss it aside just because God did not direct it to us. It contains a formula for this hour. "My people" ~ God has a people which we call the church, or the body of Christ ~ those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior, "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14). "Shall humble themselves" ~ the flesh is proud but we are admonished to be humble. "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:1-2). We are told in Galatians 5:22-23 that longsuffering and meekness are fruits of the Spirit. Humbleness is commended for the believer today.

"And pray"! Certainly many, many times in the New Testament we are admonished to pray. The Lord Jesus told His disciples to watch and pray. The epistles contain numerous commands to pray. "And seek My face" is also a New Testament admonition: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:1-2). "And turn from their wicked ways." This also applies to us. God has a great deal to say about repentance for believers. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19).

Now, what about God's part? God has promised that He would hear. "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight" (1John 3:22). He promised to forgive: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9).

"And will heal our land." I do not believe that applies to us today. I can't find anywhere in the New Testament where the Lord has promised to heal a piece of land. If God has blessed us in a business way, that is extra ~ a blessing that He has not promised. Nowhere does God promise material blessing to us. We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. We were aliens, enemies of God, and now we have been made the sons and daughters of God. We have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, and He forgives us our sins. Heaven is our home, and the New Jerusalem is our goal. We have been delivered from hell. These are our blessings.

May God bless you with a wonderful Sonday at His house.

Love in Christ Jesus, Sandy