[If] My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chron 7:14).So the call goes out to Christians all over the country "Humble yourself and pray and seek God's face and turn from wickedness" in the hopes that God will hear from heaven and forgive our sin and heal our land.
Unfortunately, this isn't the intent of the passage. There are a few reasons this is apparent. First, we know that forgiveness is not a product of turning from wickedness. Forgiveness is forensic. That is, it is applied to those who are called according to His purposes, to those who are born again. In Jesus's words, "It is finished." We can't out-sin Jesus's Atonement on our behalf, nor can we earn it. Second, the context is not the Church. The context is Israel. The "My people" to whom God is referring when He makes the statement is Israel. Some of Israel believed and some didn't. The context of the statement (verse 14 is in the middle of a sentence) is "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people ..." (1 Chron 7:13). The intent was that, in the time of God's judgment, unbelieving Israel needed to repent. The third reason is linked. The Church does not have land. The Communion of the Saints crosses all boundaries and time. Israel had a land to be healed. Christians are outside of geographic boundaries.
Fortunately, all is not lost. History shows us that those nations that repent receive blessing from God and those who do not ... do not. So the task of sharing the Gospel -- you know, like we're commanded -- ought to be a priority. And we would certainly call all Christians to humility, prayer, seeking God's face, and repentance. We would like to see this passage as a promise, but it isn't. Still, it isn't the promise of this passage that we need. It is a confidence in God to do what's right. And nothing in the context or content of this passage will prevent that from happening. Thank God!
4 comments:
I'm not sure why Christians would want to see things get better. According to Scripture, the worse things get, the closer we get to heaven on Earth. It always bothers me that believers want to postpone the things that lead up to Christ's return as much as they can, when that will be the single most glorious event any of us could hope to be alive for.
I understand the sentiment ... but I'm pretty sure that we can't postpone Christ's return by what we hope for. But, as I said, I get the sentiment.
Hi Stan,
Very well done. You bring up some excellent points.
In line with what David mentioned, why is it that we are so focused on the health and wealth of the nation and not the health and wealth of the church? By that, I mean spiritual health and spiritual wealth. The healing will come through the church and not the government, especially when the church becomes more healthy.
You are right, share the gospel that is the only true answer.
Blessings
PS I gave you a nod at my blog today. :)
In your post you said, "Does it apply to the United States? Probably not. God may or may not heal our country. But He will bring spiritual healing to His people, which is far more important than the economic, political or moral healing that many are hoping for. Let the people of God humble themselves and pray that His Spirit brings true and meaningful healing to the land." Sounds like what I'm saying. (And you thought I contradicted you.) :)
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