A Grievously Abused Verse: "if My People..."

“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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

“If my people who are called by my name…” You will no doubt recognise the opening words of this popular Bible verse. The verse presents a promise that has become quite popular among church people. It may be a favourite verse for you who hear me in this hour. In the title for this message, I refer to this verse as a “grievously abused verse.” Without doubt, you who hear this message or read it will ask, “How can this be?” Raising the question seems no doubt presumptuous. Nevertheless, it is imperative that I raise the question of whether we tend to abuse this promise given by the Living God. And answering this question will be the focus of the message today.

To answer this question, I suggest that we look at the verse itself to discern the assumptions that lie behind God making the statement that is recorded. Then, we will need to weigh our present relationship with the Lord GOD. At last, we will be challenged to adjust our prayer life to the realities of our situation.

At the outset of the message I am compelled to make a statement concerning my confidence and to lay to rest doubts that some may harbour because I do raise the question. I believe in prayer. I take very seriously the admonition delivered by the Apostle when he admonished us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” [PHILIPPIANS 4:6]. That admonition is but an expansion of his earlier injunction delivered to the saints of Living God, “Pray without ceasing” [1 THESSALONIANS 5:17].

I also believe that what God has promised is for our good and for His glory. Therefore, the people of God should hold to the promises God has given. We who follow the Risen Lord of Glory are to be a people known for prayer. Outsiders, individuals who do not have the faith, should recognise that we are dependent upon God for all that we do. The lost of this world should be confident that when we say we will pray that we will do so; and they should be equally confident that when we pray things happen because what we ask is heard in the sacred precincts of Heaven!

ASSUMPTIONS BEHIND THE VERSE — “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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land” [2 CHRONICLES 7:14].

Solomon, the son of David, King of Israel, had ascended to the throne. It had been a last-minute act by David before his death that had ensured Solomon would be crowned. David had gathered materials to build the Temple, and Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem. When the Temple was completed, the Ark was brought to the Temple and Solomon conducted the dedication of the Temple.

Before the Altar of the LORD and in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, Solomon prayed. And this is the prayer he offered. “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart, who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.’ Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David.

“But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O LORD my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you, that your eyes may be open day and night toward this house, the place where you have promised to set your name, that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. And listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen from heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.