"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
Those words go back to over 3,000 years ago at the dedication of the original Temple of God in Jerusalem. The promise is made to God’s people about the Jewish nation. God’s promise was to those who humble themselves, pray, seek God, and turn from their wickedness. Jehovah himself would hear, forgive, and heal their nation.
Well, most of us today are not part of a Jewish kingdom, and it is many years later. However, through the death of Jesus, we can still become the very people of God in His Kingdom.
We are reminded daily that there is trouble in our country.
We are grieved over political division, racial discrimination, hatred, and even bloodshed in our land: What are we to do?
Perhaps, as the people of God, we need to follow that age-old plan.
"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."
In sincere humility, let us seek our Lord in repentance and prayer.
Bruce Henderson is minister at Airport Road Church of Christ.