2 Chronicles 4:17
In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God makes a promise to His people if they will follow His instruction. Let's break down this verse, phrase by phrase, and see how we can apply this to our lives today.
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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
2 Chronicles 7:14
1. If my people
2 Chronicles 7:14 starts with a small but powerful word, "if", that introduces the idea that something will happen only when a conditional clause is met. In this scripture, God makes a promise to His people under the condition that they follow His instruction. Who are God's people? In the Old Testament, this would have referred to the Israelites, but in the New Testament and today, God's people are all those who believe and have a relationship with Him.
2. Who are called by my name
Historically, it is common for cities to carry the name of the person who founded or discovered them. Hearing a city's name can make you think of the memory and reputation of its namesake. Being called by God's name shows that you belong to Him and bear His character and reputation. This reflects someone who has a close relationship with God. Outside of religious identity, are you accurately portraying the character of God as someone called by His name?
3. Will humble themselves
This is the first condition God gives as a way to obtain forgiveness and healing. Why do you think God chose humility first? Humility, by definition, is the freedom from pride or arrogance. Pride blocks restoration. Pride would say, "I'm fine on my own. I don't need anyone's help.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
James 4:10
James 4:10
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6
James 4:6
Practicing humility can look like acknowledging God's authority, recognizing your sins, serving others, being thankful, fasting, and praying. What are some other way you can practice humility in your daily life?
4. And pray
Prayer is a vital part of any Christian's relationship with God. While God knows what we are asking before we ask, it's still important to have daily prayer time. Any relationship is built and strengthened through communication, and the same is true with God. Is your current prayer life fostering a close relationship with God? How could you improve your prayer life?
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Matthew 6:6-8
Matthew 6:6-8
5. And seek my face
Seeking God's face means to have a longing for intimacy with God. While it's not a bad thing to ask God for help (humility helps us understand we can't do life on our own and need God's help), we should also seek His face with deep honest prayer. In Psalms 27:8, David shows an intentional desire to connect with God on a personal level.
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord , I will seek.
Psalms 27:8
Psalms 27:8
6. And turn from their wicked ways
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8-9
1 John 1:8-9
Turning from your wicked ways begins with confession and repentance. You can confess by praying directly to God, asking for forgiveness. It is also vital to change direction away from sinful ways that do not pursue righteousness, understanding that God does not expect us to never sin again, only to try our best.
It is important to repent every day. Our days are numbered on earth, and there is only one that knows when our time is finished. If you knew that in your next moment you'd be standing before God, would you be ready? While no one can be completely positive they are ready, if you have been living your life following after God, you will be more prepared.
It is important to repent every day. Our days are numbered on earth, and there is only one that knows when our time is finished. If you knew that in your next moment you'd be standing before God, would you be ready? While no one can be completely positive they are ready, if you have been living your life following after God, you will be more prepared.
7. Then I will hear from heaven
God says that He will hear us from His throne in heaven. This shows us that God pays attention to His people, and is always ready to act on our behalf.
8. I will forgive their sins
To forgive means to release someone from the guilt and consequences of wrongdoings.
A sin is anything that goes against Gods laws or biblical scriptures, no matter how large or small it may seem to us.
A sin is anything that goes against Gods laws or biblical scriptures, no matter how large or small it may seem to us.
9. And will heal their land
At this time, Israel was going through drought, plagues and hardships, both physical and spiritual.
Physically:
If the Israelites would have fully abided and lived by these conditions, God would have restored their land by giving them rain, which would have allowed their crops to grow in abundance.It would have lifted the plagues and hardships, and it would have brought peace and prosperity back to the nation.
Spiritually:
Although at times our spirit can become barren, God can refresh it. By following the previous sections of this scripture, you can draw nearer to God, allowing him to rework the landscape of your heart. By opening yourself up to this tending, God will be able to use you in ways you never expected, both large and small.
Physically:
If the Israelites would have fully abided and lived by these conditions, God would have restored their land by giving them rain, which would have allowed their crops to grow in abundance.It would have lifted the plagues and hardships, and it would have brought peace and prosperity back to the nation.
Spiritually:
Although at times our spirit can become barren, God can refresh it. By following the previous sections of this scripture, you can draw nearer to God, allowing him to rework the landscape of your heart. By opening yourself up to this tending, God will be able to use you in ways you never expected, both large and small.
How does this apply to our lives today?
By allowing humility to work in our lives, we can submit ourselves to God, realizing we cannot be sufficient without Him. Prayer and repentance has to become a daily part of our lives, not only a last resort, asking forgiveness and guidance in all things, large and small. By submitting to the act of repenting for our sins, even those we may not recognize at first, we open our hearts to Gods healing.
Ask yourself daily:
By allowing humility to work in our lives, we can submit ourselves to God, realizing we cannot be sufficient without Him. Prayer and repentance has to become a daily part of our lives, not only a last resort, asking forgiveness and guidance in all things, large and small. By submitting to the act of repenting for our sins, even those we may not recognize at first, we open our hearts to Gods healing.
Ask yourself daily:
- Do I live as someone who is called by God's name?
- Can others see that I am someone called by God's name?
- In what areas do I need to humble myself?
- Am I truly seeking God's face?
- Is there sin in my life that I need to turn from?
- What can I do to be more like Christ?
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