“. . . when My people, over whom My Name is called, humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14, TLV
There are many translations of this passage. I like this one — the Tree of Life Version (TLV) — that begins this verse, not with an “if,” but “when.” Seems more hopeful, don’t you think? That at some point we’ll come to our senses, realize what the real problems are, and do the only things that will truly make a difference: humbling ourselves, praying and seeking the Most High God’s face, and then truly changing our ways.
Right now, it seems even our own brothers and sisters are seeking to make their opinions known — at any cost. We want to point out others’ evil ways so that our Heavenly Father will smite them — or some judgment of Biblical portions.
Another way . . .
Perhaps we can take our cue from the prophet Daniel. Daniel and the Jewish people were exiled in Babylon. They were among a pagan people with an unstable king. Daniel knew the set time was upon his people for the LORD to return them to Israel. He also knew his people were a mess — they had adapted to Babylon and many had left their faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
So, what does Daniel do? Climb a hill and proclaim their sin? Tweet his disgust? Warn them that if they didn’t repent, who knew what would happen? No, he confesses Israel’s sins as his own.
“I prayed to Adonai my God and confessed, saying: ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and mercy with those who love Him and keep His mitzvot [commandments], we have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have acted wickedly; we have rebelled; we have turned away from Your mitzvot and from Your rulings. We have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our leaders and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.”
DANIEL 9:4-6, TLV [EMPHASIS MINE]
Daniel rightfully joined the ranks of sinners and repented on behalf of Israel.
Some pretty cool things happened after that prayer. It’s an interesting read for reflection. But, for today, if we follow Daniel’s pattern, that even with sin around us, we pray. We humble ourselves and seek His face, we ourselves turn from our sin, and then, He has promised He’ll heal this land.
