2 Chronicles 7 Devotional

Mercy Promised to a Humbled People

“and 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, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”2 Chronicles 7:14 (BSB)

Fire falls from heaven onto the offerings, the glory of the LORD fills the temple, and all Israel bows low on the pavement, giving thanks that he is good and his love endures (7:1-3). Later the LORD appears to Solomon by night with his answer. He has heard the prayer (7:12).

The well-known promise of 7:14 belongs to that answer. Solomon had asked what would happen when the sky was shut, when locusts came, when plague struck (6:26-28). God replies point by point. If he sends drought, locusts, or plague, and his people who bear his name humble themselves, pray, seek him, and turn from evil, he will hear, forgive, and heal their land (7:13-14). It is a word to Israel about this temple and this land, and it comes paired with a sober warning about forsaking him (7:19-22). He does not wait for his people to repair themselves. He waits for them to return. In Christ that same God is faithful to forgive all who confess their sins (1 John 1:9).

To think about: What have you been carrying alone that you could bring to God today in honest confession and prayer?