Sunday, March 09, 2008

If My People

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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.

Circumstances surrounding this promise are important rightly understanding the promise:

It was made to Israel
While it is proper to make an application to our generation it must be understood that the primary interpretation goes to Israel and that if they will humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, then God will forgive Israel and God will heal the land of Israel.

It was made after David had purposely prepared for building the Temple
Many years of forethought had gone into this Temple and years had passed before God offered this promise. There was even the disappointment in that David himself was not allowed to build the Temple.
Such promises seldom come without years of preparation and many disappointments as we humble ourselves in obedience to the Lord.

It was made after the people had willingly offered
David was not the only one who offered and sacrificed for this Temple. Praise the Lord for one who will have a burden but far greater is when others get hold of the burden and pour themselves into it too.

It was made after Solomon obediently built the Temple and even after Gentiles had helped build the Temple
Consistency delegation and persistence were required to complete the work God had given them.

It was made after Solomon had prayed
God let it be that we learn to pray without ceasing!

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