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The Meaning of Zephaniah 3:8

Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Home Verse Of The Day Zephaniah 3:8 ◄ What Does Zephaniah 3:8 Mean? ► “Therefore wait for Me,” declares the LORD, “For the day when I rise up as a witness Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, To assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them My indignation, All My burning anger; For all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My zeal. Zephaniah 3:8(NASB) Verse Thoughts Do you sometimes wonder why the Lord seemingly permits the evil deeds of wicked men to prosper, while His children seem to be facing trials and hardships? Do you sometimes simply wonder why? Or are you mystified as to why His precious promises are so long in coming? Many do. It all comes back to sin – fallen man’s sin. Well, sin has to be dealt with. All sin has to be punished by God because He is holy and just. The prophecy from Zephaniah was written to comfort the faithful remnant of Judah in their time of deep distress. The nation was being warned to repent of their sinful ways and return to the Lord, or He would chasten then for their wrongdoing. Israel was encircled by many God-hating, hostile nations, corrupt people and cities of violence, which often enticed God’s people away from serving Him. The prophet had warned about the great and terrible day of the Lord and the entire nation would face judgement for her sin of apostasy. But he also declared that God’s punishment would fall on the surrounding nations for their blasphemous ways and the harsh treatment they exercised on God’s people. Sin is in the world and sin has to be punished – both the sin of pagan nations and the sin of God’s people, Israel. Because of the Nation’s disobedience, the faithful remnant in Judah also faced great difficulties, as well as those that broke His covenant, but they were exhorted, by Zephaniah, to be patient and wait for the Lord. “Therefore, wait for Me,” declares the LORD, “Wait for the day when I rise us as a witness. Indeed”, He continued, “My decision is to gather nations and assemble kingdoms. I will pour out on them My indignation and My burning anger. All the earth will be devoured by the fire of My zeal.” The faithful remnant were not removed from difficult and dangerous times. Instead, they were to wait patiently for the Lord to act on their behalf… when not only their local enemies would be punished, but a great and terrible, universal day of judgement would fall upon the whole earth. It would be a time of deep distress and heavy darkness – the time of Jacob’s Trouble. And a time that is yet future. The judgment that is yet to come on unbelieving Israel and a world at war with God, is often referred to as ‘the Great Tribulation’, ‘the 70th week of Daniel’ or ‘the great and terrible Day of the Lord’. It is to be a time when God will pour out His burning fury and indignation on the whole earth, which will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy. But it is also the time when God’s apostate nation will return to Him. Israel will be brought to repentance and cry out for salvation. They will look on Christ whom they pierced and mourn over their sin. There will be repentance, both nationally and individually. While this is a passage that relates to Israel, all Old Testament truths given to Israel have direct or indirect relevance to all God’s children in all ages and dispensations. God does not change and has purposed to one day, punish the Christ-rejecting sinful world that dishonours His character; blasphemes His name; plays sport with His people and tramples on the truth of His Word. And yet today, as in days-gone-by, God says WAIT!  Simply wait. Wait God’s timing. Wait for ME, declares the Lord. Too often we want to dictate our preferred time-schedule to God, but God is not in a hurry. God will never be late in carrying out His plans and purposes, nor will He be too early! We are to wait HIS time and to wait HIS way. “Wait for ME!”, is His instruction to us all. The glorious time of Israel’s restoration is couched in this declaration from God, for He has promised to save His people from their sin, and His promises to Israel will never fail, just as His promises to the Church are ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ in Christ Jesus our Lord – and our present sojourn in this fallen world, is likewise hastening to its grand finale. Just as Israel must wait for God’s timing, so we must wait for the rapture of the Church and the resurrection of the saints, which will take place in God’s time and in His way! We too must wait. We too must simply wait on God and trust His word. Like the faithful remnant in the times of Zephaniah, we, in this Church dispensation, are instructed to wait His time. We are to wait for His plans and purposes to be carried out in His way, in His time and for His glory – but we are to be ready and to watch for His any-day return. We may not understand all God’s ways and we may not understand why He waits – especially as the evil deeds of wicked men seem to intensify and prosper. We may not understand why so many of His children are facing such dark trials and deep hardships. We may not understand – but we are to TRUST Him. We are to live by FATIH and not by sight or be influenced by emotions or circumstances. It all comes back to faith in His word and trusting His purposes and plans. It is not always easy to trust the Lord to fulfil all that He has laid out in His Word of truth in times of deep distress. But let us wait for Him with patient endurance and steadfast faith. Despite all that we are facing today, let us remember that every day is one more day of grace. Every day that passes is one more day of God’s favour, when lost people are found and sinners are saved. However, the day is fast approaching when our waiting will be over and the Lord will act on our behalf – but until then, let us wait – just wait for the day when the Lord will stand up as our witness, as He has promised. My Prayer Thank You, heavenly Father, that You are a God that does not change. Thank You that Your Word is true and Your promises stand fast forever. I pray that I may learn to wait patiently for You to right all wrongs and fulfil Your plans and purposes for mankind. Help me to simply wait for You to fulfil all that you have promised, for this fallen world and my individual life. I pray that I may learn to wait willingly and patiently, not only in my day-to-day living but also as I watch the world situation, where evil is multiplying so rapidly. Keep me looking to Jesus and trusting that Your timing and Your ways are perfect. This I pray in Jesus’ name, AMEN. ◄ Previous: Zephaniah 3:5 Next: Zephaniah 3:17 ► Choose a Verse from Zephaniah 3 1234567891011121314151617181920 Matthew 2:11 Jonah 1:17 Acts 3:13 John 2:21 Follow us Zephaniah 3:8 Further Study Zephaniah 3:8 in the Parallel Bible Zephaniah 3:8 in the Thematic Bible Zephaniah 3:8 Cross References Zephaniah 3:8 Treasury of Scripture Knowing Zephaniah 3:8 Sermons Zephaniah 3:8 Prayers Zephaniah 3:8 Images Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals A Sufficient Ministry Jeremiah 50:34 Jeremiah 45:5 Purpose, Provision, Process The Relapse Of Concentration Cause and Effect of Sin – Growing In Grace (7) The Whole Truth Doctrinal Statement / Privacy Policy / Use of Pictures / Donate / Contact Us Copyright Knowing-Jesus.com – All Rights Reserved

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John 5:21

Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Home Verse Of The Day John 5:21 ◄ What Does John 5:21 Mean? ► “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. John 5:21(NASB) Verse Thoughts God will not share His glory with another and yet Christ demonstrated His deity when He healed the paralytic man on a Sabbath Day. No one but God can give life and health and the Jewish leaders knew about Christ’s Messianic claims, but could not bring themselves to see the truth. They knew Jesus came from God, but were so bound up with legalism and religiosity that their eyes were blinded to the truth that Jesus was God incarnate. “Now that you are well.” was Christ’s warning to the man, “do not sin anymore, in case something worse happens to you.” In this case it was his sin, that caused this man’s paralysis, and Jesus connected sin to his sickness. Christ’s Sabbath-day healing was linked to his sins being forgiven, which caused the religious leaders to become angry and fearful. Although Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, He was criticised and persecuted for breaking the Jewish Sabbath. It should be noted that the Jewish Sabbath had been changed and corrupted, over time, and had NO resemblance to the same command given to Moses. ‘It it better the do good or to do evil on the Sabbath?’ was Christ’s argument elsewhere, but this beautiful healing was twisted by these legalists into something profane. They labelled Jesus a blasphemer and sinner, for He made Himself to be equal with God, which infuriated the religious leaders of the day. For this reason, the Jews sought all the more to kill Jesus”, as John records… “He not only broke their Sabbath but it meant that He was calling God His own Father, which made Himself equal with God”. Jesus had every right to heal on the Sabbath Day and to forgive sin. He was not breaking God’s law. He is equal with the Father – for Jesus IS God. However, in His compassion, the Lord took this opportunity to tell them the truth, even though most would remain blind to the truth and dead in their sins. I tell you the truth,” Christ explained, “the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing.”. “Whatever the Father does, the Son does in like manner. The Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel”. But Jesus continued: “Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes,” These were the words that sent these religionists into a tail-spin! Jesus not only healed on the Sabbath, forgave sin, and called God His Father, but He also had the confidence, or audacity, to tell them that He had the words of eternal life within Himself!  Such a statement would have been blasphemous, outrageous, lunacy and full of audacity if it were untrue. However, Jesus told the truth, for the Lord Jesus Christ is God – He is the Way and He is Lord of Sabaoth. He is the Truth, and He is Lord of Life. And the Bible teaches NO man comes to the Father but through faith in Him. Many did marvel at his words and work, and some believed, but the claims Christ continued to make caused a clear line of division to be drawn in the sand. Jesus could do all that the Father does because the Father loves the Son and shows Him all the things the Father does! Jesus is fully God and fully man, but He chose to set aside His heavenly glory and come to earth in the form of a man, and live the perfect life the Father wants ALL His people to live – a life totally dependent on HIM; a life that listens to His voice; a life that obeys His voice; a life that is walking in spirit and truth; a life that dies to self and lives for Him – a life that is willing to say NOT my will but Thine be done, so the Father may be revealed. JESUS is the God-Man, Who came to earth to reconcile sinful man back to a holy God. He opens the door for whosoever will to come to the FATHER and be returned into fellowship with Him – by faith in the SON. And just as the Son points us to the Father, so the indwelling Spirit, Who is given by the Father to all who believe, points us to Christ. What an amazing plan of redemption. No one but God could construct something so beautiful, so eternal. so life-giving and so simple. It was Spirit of God who breathed life into the lifeless form of Adam, in the Old Creation, after the Lord had formed and fashioned him, from the dust of the earth, in His own image and likeness. And it is the same Holy Spirit of God, Who breathes the breath of NEW life into the lifeless spirit of a fallen man at redemption. At salvation, the soul that is dead in trespasses and sin, receives Christ’s new, resurrected, eternal life, and the born-again child of God becomes part of His New-Creation-In Christ!. The NEW Life that Jesus promised to the narrow-minded religionists of His day, through faith in His name, is the eternal life that the Father gave to the Son, when He raised Him from the dead, to enable Him to give newness of Life to whomsoever He chooses – i.e. to those who believe on His name for the forgiveness of sin and life everlasting. What an opportunity those foolish Pharisees missed, when they refused to listen to the truth and believe on the Son, Whom the Father raised from the dead – for in the Son are the words of eternal life and He gives life to whomsoever He wishes. He gives life to ALL who believe. My Prayer Loving heavenly Father, thank You for the amazing lessons I learn from the Words of Scripture, the various people, the choices they make and the wonderful love of God that passes human understanding. Thank You for sending Jesus to become a man so that He could not only die a sacrificial death, for my sin but also rise from the dead – and become the Firstfruit from the dead, in Whom are the world of eternal life. Thank You that by faith in Him I have already received eternal life, and because He lives, I too will rise from the dead in newness of life eternal. Keep me from falling into any legalistic thinking and prevent me from missing an opportunity to come closer to Christ, in thought, word, and deed. May many that remain dead in trespasses and sins, hear the good news with open minds and receive the blessings that are open to ALL who believe – in Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN. ◄ Previous: John 5:19 Next: John 5:23 ► Choose a Verse from John 5 1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647 Hebrews 7:16 Psalm 66:5 1 John 5:18 Jeremiah 30:7 Follow us John 5:21 Further Study John 5:21 in the Parallel Bible John 5:21 in the Thematic Bible John 5:21 Cross References John 5:21 Treasury of Scripture Knowing John 5:21 Sermons John 5:21 Prayers John 5:21 Images Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals A Sufficient Ministry Jeremiah 50:34 Jeremiah 45:5 Purpose, Provision, Process The Relapse Of Concentration Cause and Effect of Sin – Growing In Grace (7) The Whole Truth Doctrinal Statement / Privacy Policy / Use of Pictures / Donate / Contact Us Copyright Knowing-Jesus.com – All Rights Reserved

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Psalm 27:13

Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Home Verse Of The Day Psalm 27:13 ◄ What Does Psalm 27:13 Mean? ► I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Psalm 27:13(NASB) Verse Thoughts These words were penned by the man that slew the great giant Goliath and who was honoured as one that slew his tens of thousands, yet he admits that without trust in his God, his heart would faint, and he would despair. Faith in the Lord was to David like a fragrant perfume that revived his weary soul or like a sweet honeycomb that re-energies the exhausted traveller. Hope in His God was to David a soothing ointment that eased his flagging spirit and a refreshing, heavenly hope that ministered to his fainting heart. The eye of faith is to see beyond the visible and to distinguish the invisible. It is to maintain an unswerving assurance that the promises of God are all ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is to trust the Lord our God with all our heart for things which we have hoped for and it is the evidence of the reality of things that can only be seen with the eye of faith. It is a knowledge of the holy and a peep into an eternal reality that is hidden from the unsaved man, but which is reserved for the children of God in heavenly places. The strength of hope is to believe in the reality of the promises of God, which we have yet to see… and not simply to see with our eyes, that which we believe. This was the trait in David that delighted the Lord. And David proved once again to be a man after God’s own heart, a man that trusted the word of the Lord, a man that not only expected God to supply all his needs according to His riches in glory, but to deliver him from the hands of all his enemies. We too have a great hope in the God of our salvation and like David we too will please Him when we unreservedly trust in His Word and believe Him to reward all who diligently seek Him. Today men’s hearts are fearful of what is coming on the world, but we are not of this world that we should despair, for our faith is in the same God in Whom David trusted. Let us hold fast to the joy that is set before us and wait for that blessed Hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. My Prayer What a wonderfully faithful God You are to all who trust in Your name. Thank You for the example of men like David who remind us that Your goodness and mercy lasts from generation to generation and that all You have promised in Your Word is true and sure. I pray that I may be a man after God’s own heart, who maintains my trust in You despite the difficult circumstances that I am facing, knowing that You will both provide for me and protect me as You have promised, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN. ◄ Previous: Psalm 27:11 Next: Psalm 27:14 ► Choose a Verse from Psalm 27 1234567891011121314 Psalm 37:4 Psalm 127:2 Habakkuk 1:2 Titus 1:1 Follow us Psalm 27:13 Further Study Psalm 27:13 in the Parallel Bible Psalm 27:13 in the Thematic Bible Psalm 27:13 Cross References Psalm 27:13 Treasury of Scripture Knowing Psalm 27:13 Prayers Psalm 27:13 Images Psalm 27:13 Devotionals Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals A Sufficient Ministry Jeremiah 50:34 Jeremiah 45:5 Purpose, Provision, Process The Relapse Of Concentration Cause and Effect of Sin – Growing In Grace (7) The Whole Truth Doctrinal Statement / Privacy Policy / Use of Pictures / Donate / Contact Us Copyright Knowing-Jesus.com – All Rights Reserved

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The Meaning of Nehemiah 3:1!

Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Home Verse Of The Day Nehemiah 3:1 ◄ What Does Nehemiah 3:1 Mean? ► Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors They consecrated the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel. Nehemiah 3:1(NASB) Picture courtesy of Sweet Publishing Verse Thoughts Because of their apostasy, both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah were enslaved and deported by their enemies, and both the holy city of Jerusalem and the beautiful temple of Solomon were destroyed, by Babylon. For 70 years the land lay desolate as foretold by the prophets. But God did not forget His people, and after 70 years of exile, God moved the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia, to permit them to return to their homeland and rebuild the sanctuary of God. Over the years, harsh rules were relaxed and exiles had become comfortable under foreign rule, and out of 3 million exiles, only about 50 thousand returned to the Promised Land with Ezra, the priest. The returnees attempted to return to their spiritual foundation, and although the Temple was eventually rebuilt, the city walls and gates remained burnt and in ruins for nearly a hundred years. Because of the courage of Nehemiah, who told his concerns to King Artaxerxes, more people returned to Jerusalem to restore the city and rebuild its gates. This little band of builders met with much opposition from their pagan neighbours – foreigners, who had moved into the city during Israel’s exile and set up an authoritarian, legislative administration, which was determined to depress the morale of Nehemiah and his workers. Nevertheless, because of his wise example, they refused to be intimidated and continued with their important rebuilding project. Every section of the wall and each city gate was allocated to certain groups of returnees, who were responsible for the rebuilding of that segment. Joiada and Meshullam repaired the Old Gate and the repairs next to them were carried by Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of Gibeon. Side by side and in unity of spirit these men of Israel worked on their own section, because they shared a common goal. The first people to be allocated a portion was “Eliashib, the high priest, who arose with his fellow priests, to begin rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they consecrated it. This was no ordinary construction site. This was an act of dedication to God, because the Lord had ordained that it should be done. Eliashib, and the rest of the priests were leaders in Israel. They were men that led Israel by example. They did not consider themselves to be an elite class, who were exempt from the work that needed to be done. When godly leaders and wise elders set an example and serve as role-models, the results produce much fruit. Jesus was the perfect role model, Who told us, I am meek and humble of heart and on a number of occasions Paul instructed the Corinthians to “pattern yourselves after me – as I imitate and follow Christ”. As King Solomon wrote, many years earlier, “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build it. Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain”. But God was in charge of this building programme. He was the one who was guarding His servants and guiding their project. While there are always those who try to evade the work of the Lord in their life, it must have been a great encouragement to see the high priest and others from the priestly line of Levi and Aaron, getting to work alongside their fellow Israelites, and not pleading exemption from this important work. The priests were given the task of repairing the Sheep Gate, which was the place through which the sheep would be brought as a sacrificial offering to the Lord. The Sheep Gate was the Eastern Gate of the city, not far from the pool of Bethesda. The Easter Gate, opposite the Mount of Olives, is the gate through which the Lord Jesus – the Good Shepherd of the sheep, will enter, when He returns to earth and the end of the Great Tribulation, to set up His eternal kingdom on earth. It has been their failure to follow God’s commands and keep their covenant promises that had caused Israel to be punished, and I am sure the restoration of the Sheep Gate, on that eastern side of the city, must have played a significant role in raising the morale of the people, and helped to keep them on task, in maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There are many lessons that we can learn from Eliashib, the high priest, and the rest of those that toiled so tirelessly in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and the gates of the City. Like Israel, every member of Christ’s Body has our part to play in the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministering, and the building up of the body of Christ – until we all reach unity in the faith and a deeper knowledge of God’s Son – as together we grow into a mature man… to a measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Jealousy and resentment, superiority and criticism have no place in the Body of Christ. The work to which any one of us is called is of significance to the Lord, for it is a work that He uniquely chose for each one of us. In EVERYTHING we do whether international evangelism or caring for a sick relative, serving as an elder or serving in a supermarket – everything we do and all we say should be said and done for HIS greater glory. There are no super saints for we are all serial sinners who have been gloriously saved by God’s grace – through faith in His Son. For by the grace we are saved – not by works, lest anyone should boast. No one among us should think of themselves more highly than others. For God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. Let us never forget that although we are many parts of one spiritual body, all the parts have a unique function to play. May we use our time, talents, gifts, and graces for the edification of the body and the glory of God. My Prayer Dear Lord and heavenly Father, there is so much for me to learn and I pray that I would have a teachable spirit. Thank You for the Scriptures and for faithful servants like Nehemiah the Scribe and Eliashib the high priest, who carried out the work that You gave them to do with a willing spirit and joyful heart – and who and became such good examples of faithfulness to emulate. Thank You for the gifts and graces that You have given to me, and I pray that I would carry out the work that You have called me to do faithfully, and for Your glory. This I ask in Jesus’ name, AMEN. Picture courtesy of Sweet Publishing ◄ Previous: Nehemiah 2:18 Next: Nehemiah 5:19 ► Choose a Verse from Nehemiah 3 1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132 Isaiah 45:23 2 Samuel 7:28 1 Corinthians 2:4 1 Corinthians 10:14 Follow us Nehemiah 3:1 Further Study Nehemiah 3:1 in the Parallel Bible Nehemiah 3:1 in the Thematic Bible Nehemiah 3:1 Cross References Nehemiah 3:1 Treasury of Scripture Knowing Nehemiah 3:1 Sermons Nehemiah 3:1 Prayers Nehemiah 3:1 Images Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals A Sufficient Ministry Jeremiah 50:34 Jeremiah 45:5 Purpose, Provision, Process The Relapse Of Concentration Cause and Effect of Sin – Growing In Grace (7) The Whole Truth Doctrinal Statement / Privacy Policy / Use of Pictures / Donate / Contact Us Copyright Knowing-Jesus.com – All Rights Reserved ×

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2nd Chronicles 7:14 is very important

URGENT: Encouragement and Prayer in a Time of Pandemic…See All of Our Coronavirus Resources Here Toggle navigation Search Browse The Bible Toggle Dropdown Find it! Does the Verse “If My People Who Are Called by My Name” Apply to the World Today? Bible / Bible Study / Topical Studies / Does the Verse “If My People Who Are Called by My Name” Apply to the World Today? Bethany Verrett Sunday, March 29, 2020 Share Tweet Save “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and…turn from their wicked ways…I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Certain verses of the Bible are clear, both in context and out of context. Some of them are mere statements of facts or explanations. Others are straight-forward directions or condemnations. Then there are the verses of the Bible that become clearer in context and with a deeper understanding of the culture. Without these pieces of information, the verse can be a little confusing  This can be especially true with Old Testament chapters and verses. In 2 Chronicles there is a verse that reads, “ 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).  Taken out of context, both within the chapter and the culture in which it was said, it can be confusing for some people. What does it mean to be called by His name? And does this verse apply to the current coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the globe? Will God really heal our nation? Understanding what it means can help this verse be applied appropriately. Does This Verse Apply to COVID-19? COVID-19 is a disease that seems scary and not much is understood about it yet. But in the midst of this, the church can call out to God for healing of the sick, guidance for leaders, and strength for medical professionals, while pointing to God as the real solution for the world’s problems. God is in control.  If we come to him in prayer and humility, he can and will “heal our land” as 2 Chronicles promises. Prayer, repentance, and calling on Him is always the solution, and He can heal this land if Christians obey Him, and reach others with the Gospel, so they can also turn to Him. What Is the Context of 2 Chronicles 7:14? Both 1 and 2 Chronicles are believed to have been composed at the same time, often presented as one book, but eventually split. It is easily comparable to 1 and 2 Kings in form and subject. However, scholars believe 1 and 2 Kings was written more contemporaneously to the events it records. In comparison, 1 and 2 Chronicles are generally presented as a retrospect. 1 Chronicles covers the history of Adam to David, and its successor covers the time from Solomon’s reign through the exile and the decree of Cyrus which stated, “‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the Lord his God be with him. Let him go up’” (2 Chronicles 36:23).  Ezra, the prophet who guided the Hebrew people through the reconstruction of Jerusalem and the building of the second temple, is believed to be the author of these books. 2 Chronicles therefore covers the first temple period, its destruction, to the events that led to the construction of a new one. Prior to Chapter 7, where the quotation occurs, Solomon has built the temple, dedicated it in chapter 5, and prayed a blessing over it and the Hebrew people. After this moment where God addresses those who are in the new temple, the book details Solomon’s successes and failures as a ruler. During the prayer in Chapter 6, Solomon asks God for mercy when Israel sins several times.  Examples of these requests for mercy include:  – “If your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn again and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land that you gave to them and to their fathers” (2 Chronicles 6:24-25). – “If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemies besiege them in the land at their gates, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is, whatever prayer, whatever plea is made by any man or by all your people Israel, each knowing his own affliction and his own sorrow and stretching out his hands toward this house, then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways, for you, you only, know the hearts of the children of mankind, that they may fear you and walk in your ways all the days that they live in the land that you gave to our fathers” (2 Chronicles 7:28-31). God gives his response in Chapter 7. Who Are God’s People? In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God is responding to Solomon’s request for forgiveness. He tells Solomon that He will forgive sin and heal the land if the people humble themselves, pray, seek Him, and repent. He also qualifies that the people who do this are, “my people who are called by my name.”  Under the covenant in the Old Testament, God’s chosen people were the Hebrews, the descendants of Abraham. After redeeming them from Egypt, the Lord tells the Hebrews that, “The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” These are some of the people who are called by His name. However, in the Old Testament there are individuals who were not Hebrews who called to God, and whom He counted as His own. These included:  Rahab of Jericho (Joshua 2) Ruth the Moabitess (Book of Ruth) Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11) Naaman the foreign commander (2 Kings 5) These are people who were brought into the family of God. Ruth becomes an ancestor to the Lord Jesus. Naaman even has a pestilence – leprosy – healed as a result of the faith he chooses to put in the God of Israel, just Solomon asked God to do in 2 Chronicles 6:28. In the New Testament, even more people receive this blessing, and are called children of God. After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, the gentiles begin to call on His name. They are forgiven, and Paul states, “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the branches” (Romans 11:17).  Anyone who places their faith in God and calls for His mercy, is someone who is called by His name.  What Do We Have to Do to Be Forgiven? One of the most amazing elements of this verse is that it shows the consistency of the character of God. There is no great discrepancy between His character in the Old Testament and the New Testament. He remains the same. He is ready and willing to forgive, and now, Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins. There is no need for sacrifices in a temple once an individual goes to God in faith. The directions from God in this Old Testament verse reflect the actions that people take today to accept Jesus Christ as their savior. God said the people must humble themselves. They must be willing to concede they cannot save themselves or change their circumstances in their own power. People can no more save themselves from their sins than they can stop a famine or a hurricane, but they must be willing to admit this fact. Then He tells the people to pray. Jesus reiterates the importance of going to God in prayer saying, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).  Finally, in 2 Chronicles God specifies the people must turn from their wicked ways. To turn from evil is one of the more literal definitions of repentance, a key component of the believer’s relationships with God. In 1 John 1:9 it says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Striving to cease wickedness and be more righteous is crucial.  Individuals can do this for salvation, a concept with which modern believers are very familiar. In 2 Chronicles God is telling the Israelites they could do this as a people-group when they commit sins and make mistakes. He had done this in their history before this moment, and would do it again. What Does It Mean for God to Heal Our Land? God heals in many ways. In the context of 2 Chronicles 7, healing the land means saving the people of Israel from enemies, plague, or other disasters brought on by their decision to turn away from Him. He can also heal people physically from illnesses and injuries. He heals people spiritually by redeeming them from their sins, and helping people move past emotional or psychological scars over time. When God sends rain to a parched area suffering from a drought, He has healed the land. The term can also refer to a group of people changing their culture en masse away from worldliness and back to godliness. Any of these is an application of this idea.  How Can We Live Out This Verse? As believers, it is important to strive every day to repent of wrongdoing and strive to be more Christ-like. Part of living out God’s plan means doing the things He told the Israelites to do in this verse. Matthew 18:20 states, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” The church is called to come together to pray in the same way the Israelites called to God in the temple centuries ago. In the face of trials, difficulties, and even natural disaster and diseases, God’s people can go to Him in humility and call out to Him for deliverance. Sharing the Gospel is also a key part of this process, because the more people turn to God for their salvation, the more there are turning to Him, asking for Him to heal the land. Sources Dunn, James D.G. and John William Rogerson. Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2003. Walvoord, John. F. and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. USA: SP Publications, Inc., 1985.  Photo credit: ©Getty Images/gordonimages Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer and editor. She maintains a faith and lifestyle blog graceandgrowing.com, where she muses about the Lord, life, culture, and ministry. 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