Scripture Daily

Context No. 3989 of 4322 · 2 Chronicles

Context · Reflection

2 Chronicles 7:12-16: in context

12Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for myself for a house of sacrifice. 13“If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people, 14if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to prayer that is made in this place. 16For now I have chosen and made this house holy, that my name may be there forever; and my eyes and my heart will be there perpetually.

God appears to Solomon by night with a promise that has comforted his people ever since. He acknowledges that hard times will come, drought, locusts, plague, but then gives the way through them: 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, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Notice the four things God asks of his people. To humble themselves, laying aside pride. To pray, turning to God rather than to their own solutions. To seek his face, desiring God himself, not just his help. And to turn from their wicked ways, genuine repentance, not mere words. And notice the three things God promises in response: to hear, to forgive, and to heal. This is God's own prescription for a people who have wandered and are suffering the consequences. The way back is not complicated, but it is costly to our pride; and God's response is sure: he hears, forgives, and heals.

When I have wandered and am suffering the consequences, will I take the way God prescribes, to humble myself, pray, seek his face, and turn from my sin, trusting the God who promises to hear, forgive, and heal?

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