Sometime, you might write out a list of what you consider to
be the top 10 verses in the Bible. In
that kind of a list, many of us would surely include 2nd Chronicles
7:14. It is a verse with just about
as much "stand alone" power as John 3:16. In fact, it stands by
itself so well that I usually don't even consider or remember its original
context. But, today it's impossible not
to look at that context.
The temple was complete, God's presence was evident, Solomon
had prayed a prayer of invocation and fire from heaven had fallen upon the main
offering. It was in that context that God spoke those great and famous words to
Solomon: “If My people…” The offer
wasn't made during a time of rebellion, judgment and poverty. It was, however,
made in anticipation of and preparation for that eventual situation. God knew
that they would forsake Him and that as a result hard times would come upon
them. So, He gave them the formula for restoration and revival, even before
they needed it.
Now, actually, God wasn't prescribing a cure as much as He
was agreeing with what Solomon had already postulated (in chapter 6). If you
read Solomon's invocative prayer you'll see that he already understood what was
required for God's mercy to be released upon His people.
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