We often hear and see the Bible passage from 2 Chronicles 7:14 quoted stating that God has promised to heal our land if we would only make such a request.

     While our Lord certainly made such a promise, we need to remember that the promise was made to “my people” which would be those who were living in harmony with Him. Also, the promise was made with some “conditions” that would assure His responding to the request as stated. We need to analyze the actual promise.

      Consider the promise:

2 Chronicles 7:14 New International Version

• ¹⁴” 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.”

     If we analyze the Scripture in the “specifics” of the promise:

¹⁴ “….if my people, who are called by my name,” (Note to “whom” the promise is made.  Also, the “if”.)

• “will humble themselves” (The first requirement or condition)
• “and pray” (The second requirement or condition)
• “and seek my face” (We must “seek” God)
• “and turn from their wicked ways,” (Still another condition)
• “then I will hear from heaven,” (Only “after” the above conditions does He promise to hear)
• “and I will forgive their sin” (Then and apparently “only then” does the promise exist)
• “and will heal their land.” (The promised healing “if” we act as above noted)

Just “why” does God not heal our land?

     Could the reason be that we desire to receive the “healing” simply by asking and failing to follow the “conditions” of the promise in the noted Scripture? Possibly the most significant: “humble themselves”.

Just some thoughts on the subject. ……….

 

James Rowe is currently a member of the Hikes Point Christian Church in Louisville and serves on the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Christian Education Corp.