FBCPS Blog

In my “Read Thru The Bible” for 2016 plan I recently read the very familiar, often quoted, regularly preached 2 Chronicles 7:14. I’m sure you can quote it, right? “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.” Having read chapters 5-6-7 together I realized I had some misconceptions about this verse.

1. I had always thought that this was spoken in a time of struggle or rebellion in Israel. No one ever told me that but it just seems normal since the people of Israel were constantly “getting themselves in trouble” and then turning to Jehovah and begging for help and forgiveness. It actually this was a very peaceful and prosperous time for Israel. In preceding chapters we read that Solomon had recently completed the magnificent temple and his own extravagant palace. Things good not have been better. Then why this proclamation from the God of Israel?

2. I did not realize that this word spoken to Solomon in a vision was a direct answer to Solomon’s prayer offered at the time of the dedication of the temple. Chapter 6 records this lengthy and wise prayer. To briefly summarize, it begins with Solomon expressing thanks that God had kept His promise to put him on the throne of his Father David as well as let/help Solomon build the temple. Then his 1st request was that God would keep His promise when He said to King David “You shall never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel…” Solomon pleaded “Oh Lord, God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David come true.” Next come several more requests. The 1st, which often signifies importance, was that God would turn His eyes and ears to the temple and hear the prayers made there. Then I was surprised with this 1 word conclusion….”and when you hear FORGIVE.” Really, ‘forgiveness’, is that important that it was at the very top of Solomon’s prayer request list? Wow! So while I’m trying to process priority of forgiveness I continue to read his next 7 pleas to God. Each one begins with the word ‘When’ and generally conclude with ‘please hear and forgive.’ The most powerful King and wisest Ruler on the earth was praying in advance for the people of Israel. He knew that there would be some hard days ahead and he knew that unless their God would hear, show mercy and forgiveness that Israel would be doomed.

3. I was amazed to read that 2 Chronicles 7:14 was a direct and specific response from Jehovah to Solomon. Solomon’s prayer in Chapter 6:26 was this, “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when the pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive…” Another Wow! If you read verse 13 God basically quoted Solomon’s prayer in giving His answer. With 1 big difference. All Solomon’s requests began with ‘when’. God’s 1 answer n verse 14 began with ‘if’. What a great promise to the nation of Israel and God’s people today. ‘When’ even in your sin your turn to God, He is ready willing and able to forgive and restore.

4. As I looked closer at verse 14 more understanding came. You and I/we are pretty good at humbling ourselves in time of need/hardship, we know well how to pray and we realize we must look into His face for relief. But we, I know for me, struggle at the “turning from wickedness” requirement. The world has long critiqued us as hypocrites which is what we are if we only meet the 1st 3 parts of God’s requirement. Just yesterday I had a conversation with a repairman claiming to be an atheist. His 1st attack on ‘religious nuts’ is that they say one thing in church and live a totally different life at home and work. Ouch! I chose not to rebut or challenge his statement because my shortcomings were running through my mind. However, immediately following his exit I began to pray like Solomon. “Father God, please hear my prayer for Scott and when he calls out to you hear and forgive.”

The turn from wickedness request gave me a flashback. Many years ago I went to see a R-rated movie (would be PG by todays standards) entitled “10.” To this day I have no idea what the movie was about but I do know that there were explicit scenes that burned into my minds eye. So much so that I could hardly stop thinking about it and the images were constant reminders. I prayed sincerely for forgiveness and promised, swore, to stay away from R-rated movies. I am admittedly to weak and I know I must flee this temptation. This is 1 area that I deliberately chose and have been successful in turning from wickedness. I pray for more such determination and victory!

I’ve re-read these chapters several more times hoping, praying I can gain more insight and wisdom. 7 words have captured my thinking:
a. When – sin will find you and things are going to happen be ready
b. Forgive – it is of utmost importance to God and should be to us
c. If – a small word requiring big action
d. Humility – don’t leave home or kneel to pray without it
e. Pray – make it often and sincere
f. Seek – God is just waiting to look into my eyes
g. Turn – the hardest thing because wickedness is so addicting and intoxicating at times…but without repentance the other things are meaningless