2 Chronicles 7:14 reads, “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.”
In earlier posts we’ve looked at the part God’s people play in the scope and fulfillment of this passage. Often, we want to jump straight to God’s Part, which we’ll discuss, but until we, as the people of God, have fulfilled our part God’s Part doesn’t apply.
Prayer, humbling ourselves, seeking God’s face, turning from our wickedness are a big deal. The first 24 words of the verse describe true repentance – a complete change, total consecration to our heavenly Father. Fulfilling our part puts us in right-standing with God and with others. Our hearts are clean and clear and able to flow with God and His part.
First, we want to establish this Scripture was specifically given to Israel during King Solomon’s reign. It is God’s response to Soloman’s prayer during the dedication of the temple in 2 Chronicles 6:14-42. The prayer points out many things that Israel could fall prey to or be guilty of and with each Solomon requests “Hear thou from Heaven” eight times. God’s response addresses their part then delivers His part – He would hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.
However, the passage still applies to every Christ-follower in the context of humble repentance, seeking God, and turning from wicked, sinful ways.
Scriptures teach that God doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6), He doesn’t alter what he says (Psalm 89:34), if He said something He’d make it good (Numbers 23:19) and Jesus Christ is always the same (Hebrews 13:8). If we’ll humbly pray, seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways, God will meet us. He will hear us, forgive us, heal us and our nation.
Scripture also teaches that we will be forgiven if we forgive (Luke 6:37). We see the opposite is also true, refuse to forgive and you won’t be forgiven (Mark 11:26). So, for God to fulfill His part, it’s mandatory that we forgive those who have wronged us. Jesus is our supreme example. While He hung on the cross dying for the sin of the world, He prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Who was He praying for? Those who were crucifying Him and for us in the far distant future.
He didn’t view us or those crucifying Him as enemies, but rather as those needing forgiveness and He interceded on our behalf.
Will you join us at W.A.N.E and pray, reaching out through forgiveness to bring restoration of hope and unity to our nation? Go to www.wearenotenemies.com to sign up.
Robyn Spradlin is a freelance journalist working as a contributor for Christian News Journal covering news and politics on the national and state levels. She has worked as a copywriter for Victory News on the Victory Channel since 2022. Robyn has an BA in Communication Studies and MA in Journalism from Regent University and is a member of the Evangelical Press Association. She is an author, evangelistic minister and a musician.