"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." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
As we navigate the complexities of our world today, many of us hold onto the hope of restoration and a return to normalcy. While it's easy to get caught up in external promises regarding societal change, we must remember that the reliability of any promise hinges on the integrity of the one making it. Ultimately, only God knows what the future holds.
The Bible is rich with God's promises—offering salvation, comfort, restoration, provision, and forgiveness. Among these, 2 Chronicles 7:14 presents a profound threefold promise, assuring believers that we have the power to invoke change in our world. Our world is in desperate need of transformation, which is found through Jesus Christ, who is the answer to all of life's challenges.
However, this threefold promise carries a significant caveat: it requires a commitment from God's children to return to Him. It's not about the lost turning to God first; it's a call for believers to step back into alignment with Him.
The State of the Christian Today
Today, many in our society have strayed from the values of the Bible, and even within the church, the line between worldly influences and godly living has blurred. We're often confronted with the sobering truth that genuine adherence to Scripture is becoming increasingly rare. Verses like Romans 12:2 urge us to be transformed and not conformed to the world, while 1 John 2:15 warns against loving the world and its distractions.
Christian homes frequently find themselves straddling the divide between God's kingdom and secular culture. When we discuss these issues, some may dismiss the message as radical or overly zealous, thinking, "No one is perfect. God understands." And while God certainly understands our human nature and struggles, He also commands holiness in the life of His children - "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light" and "Be ye holy; for I am holy" (Eph 5:8; 1 Peter 1:16).
The Need for Light in the Darkness
We can no longer afford to remain in the shadows. National disasters often signal God's attempts to get our attention. Yes, the hearts of many may grow colder, and darkness may seem to reign, but we must ask ourselves: Have we, as Christians, hidden our light? Have we lost our saltiness? (Matt 5:13-16)
2 Chronicles 7:14 offers a promise that can be claimed today but also details its prerequisites.
God's 3-Fold Promise
"...then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
I Will Hear From Heaven
The word 'hear' means to hear with attention and consent. God promises to listen when we align our desires with His, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7.
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him..." - Psalm 37:3-7
Note that at the end of each of the challenges (E.g., Trust in the Lord and do good, Delight thyself also in the Lord, Commit thy way unto the Lord, etc.), there is a promise of comfort from the Lord. The Lord God will hear His children.
I Will Forgive Your Sin
Forgiveness comes from God, our Creator and Judge. Sin is not of God but of our own trespasses against Him. Therefore, we need God's forgiveness, as Paul reminds us in Psalm 32:1: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven."
I Will Heal Your Land
Nations should crave restored favor from God, but do we live in a way that merits His blessing?
As we survey the moral landscape of America, what do we see? Adultery, fornication, abortion, alcohol, drugs, pornography, hate, deception, hypocrisy, idolatry, corruption, trafficking, murder, disobedient children, blasphemy of God's name, covetousness, greed, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – DOES THIS NATION DESERVE GOD'S BLESSINGS? Do our homes and our churches deserve God's blessings? Let's find out.
God's Prerequisites for His Promise
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways..."
You Must Humble Yourself Before God - "humble themselves."
The word 'humble' means to bow the knee, to be brought low, and to the ground. God hates a proud look (Proverbs 6:16); He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (James 4:4-6).
Pride leads to destruction, but humility welcomes God's grace, and God promises to exalt the humble (1 Peter 5:5-7). So humble yourself and your life before God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, the Creator and sustainer of all creation.
You Must Pray to God - "pray, and seek my face."
How can one pray effectively if they have not yet humbled themselves? To "pray" means to intercede, while "seeking my face" refers to asking for God's presence once again (Psalm 31:16, Psalm 34:15-16; 1 Peter 3:12). Praying involves drawing near to God, and the tremendous promise is that God will also draw near to you.
This form of prayer is a heartfelt cry: "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation." (Psalm 85:6-7). Start praying God's way.
You Must Repent From Sin - "turn from their wicked ways."
Repentance is about a genuine change of mind and heart, calling us to turn back to God. God commands believers to forsake their wicked lifestyles and return to Him! It is essential not only for the lost but also for Christians.
However, pride often leads us to believe that we're fine as we are. Don't let pride blind you and keep you from God's promise.
The phrase "my people" in this verse directly references believers. Initially, it was written to the nation of Israel and those who were true believers. Today, this same promise can be received by those who have placed their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ—"my people, which are called by my name." Christian, the word of God is speaking to you today.
However, this promise begins with a crucial word, "If" - "If my people..." This word points to the conditional nature of God's promises. Only if we return to Him will we see His healing and restoration.
Here's the prerequisite and the promise in a nutshell: If my people, who call themselves my people, bow their knee (physically and spiritually), intercede on behalf of others, ask for my presence again, and return from their wicked lifestyles that are displeasing to Me, only then will I agree with them, pardon their guilt of sin, and restore My favor on them!
Comments