Opus 2020-191: On the Street: Truth in Advertising

As I was driving along the highway I saw one of those electronic billboard signs and it was giving the message, “If my people will pray...”, “I will heal their land, (II Chron. 7:14)”.  It is a good message and needs to be repeated but it needs to be repeated as a complete statement.  As presented it gives a false impression of whom God is and how He works.  He is not a vending machine that accepts our quarters and gives us a prize.

Here is the complete verse.

(2Ch 7:14 KJV) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Notice a couple of things.  First, this is not addressed as a cure-all for everyone driving by.  It specifically is addressed to “my people”.  When it was written that meant the children of Abraham which we would call the Jews today.  Most Christians would extend the coverage to devout believers in Jesus also.  So if you are a garden variety pagan, you might make a great neighbor and even a member of the school board but this promise of God is not a promise to you.  When we first moved to Texas I could not walk into any library and check out a book.  I had to apply for the card first.  And the card was not good at other libraries. 

Second is a series of things.  Notice the expectations of those to whom this applies:  Humbling, prayer, seeking and the one no one wants to hear.  That which often remains nameless is repentance.  Repentance is defined in this verse.  It means turning from your wicked ways.

Then God will hear.  Then God will forgive.  Then God will heal. 

If you are a pagan or a pseudo-Christian then, sorry, this is not a promise for you.  However the good news is that if God heals the land of the believer and you live next door, there will be some great side effects. 

So if you are a serious Christian, get with the program.  If you are a pagan, encourage them to get with the program.  After all, what have you got to lose?

homo unius libri