God, Heal Our Land

¹³ When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,  ¹⁴ 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.  ¹⁵ Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.  ¹⁶ For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.—2 Chronicles 7:13-16, ESV

Solomon And The Queen Of Sheba by Giovanni Demin (1789-1859) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

In context, this was God’s response to Solomon in a vision he had at night after he had prayed and consecrated the temple that he had built for God’s dwelling place among Israel. Some could argue that verse 14 was a promise only to the nation of Israel at that time and place, but I believe this is a promise that holds true for believers in Christ today. Since God said that He chose that house, that his name may be there forever (v. 16), He could not have referred to the actual physical temple since that was destroyed and rebuilt and destroyed again for the last time by the Romans in 70 A.D. God must have referred to the “house” meaning the household of believers in Jesus Christ. This is implied, because God also promised David that he would have a descendant who would build his house and rule over Israel forever (see 2 Sam. 7:12-13). This was finally fulfilled in Jesus who is the cornerstone of the temple composed of His believers (see Ephesians 2:20-22).

Therefore, rather than being ignorant or complaining that our nation is in ruin, we must do what verse 14 says. If your church does not have an opportunity for you to get together with other believers and pray, then you create one! After you have prayed, then take action, at the very least, by voting in November. You have to register at least 29 days prior to the election November 6, 2012.