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... 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 will I
hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14)
So often I hear this verse used in reference to the USA, quoted by
well-meaning Christians who sense our society's moral decline. Well,
perhaps it could apply -- I mean, God can do whatever He wants.
Originally, though, the context was for the land of Israel (the
preceding verse is about droughts, locusts and plagues).
For Christians, I think this promise becomes metaphorical. Christians
were never given a piece of real estate by God as the Jews were given
Israel. We are God's people, sure enough -- but what is "our land"?
Could it be the church? If God's people humble themselves, pray, seek
God's face, and turn from their wicked ways -- then might God heal the
drought of love in the church? Might God destroy the "locusts" that are
robbing us of fruitful labor in ministry? Might He heal us of the plague
of self-centeredness? It's tempting to point fingers at the society
around us and urge it to repent (for, indeed, it needs to), but this
verse actually asks us to do the repenting.
By fantastic mercy,
Mike
eDevotions written by Mike Sares. © 2005. |
