Is 2 Chron. 7:14 the Answer for America?

The common practice in preaching today is to isolate a text from its context and then just use it however you want. Ignorant and arrogant preachers actually think they “make the Bible come to life” with their story-filled sermons. The word of God is quick and powerful (Heb. 4:12). It certainly does not need our assistance! Very few actually “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2) in context and rightly divided (2 Tim. 2:15). 

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. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

This is a well-known verse that is usually used by preachers when preaching on the need for revival in America. It will no doubt be the text for many sermons on this Fourth of July weekend. But does America have any right to claim the promises in this verse? 

Let’s consider the context. In chapter 6 king Solomon blesses the congregation of Israel (vs.1-11) and offers a dedicatory prayer for the newly built temple in Jerusalem (vs.12-42). In chapter 7:
· Fire from heaven falls on the sacrifices, the glory of the LORD fills the house (vs.1-3)
· More sacrifices are offered by the king and the people (vs.4-7)
· The king leads the people to keep the feast of tabernacles (vs.8-11)
· The LORD appears to Solomon in response to his prayer (vs.12-22)

Look at Solomon’s request in 6:24-31. This is in accordance with the covenant that God made with Israel in the wilderness (Deut. 28). In 2 Chron. 7:14 God promises to do 3 things IF Israel will do 4 things (the law is an "if" and "then" system). It is WRONG for the Body of Christ in this present dispensation of grace to put ourselves under this law system (Rom. 6:14). Do we have to do these things in order for God to:
1. Hear from heaven – Our access is based on Christ (Eph. 2:18; 3:12)
2. Forgive our sins – All of our sins are already forgiven (Col. 2:13)
3. Heal our land – We are a heavenly people with heavenly promises (Phil. 3:20; Eph. 1:3)

We may apply the moral principles in 2 Chron. 7:14 but we have no right to claim its promises. Certainly the Body of Christ should also do the 4 things mentioned in this verse:
1. Humble ourselves (Col. 3:12)
2. Pray (Col. 4:2)
3. Seek God’s face (Col. 3:1-4)
4. Turn from our wicked ways (Col. 3:5-11)  

But even if all the Christians in America faithfully obeyed these four things (which will sadly never happen) it would still not cause God to forgive the sins of our nation and heal our land from diseases and natural disasters. He has not made a covenant with America about our land! 

What is the problem with America? It is a part of this present evil world (Gal. 1:4) that is on a course set by Satan (Eph. 2:1-3) who is the god of it (2 Cor. 4:4). God has not called us to save the world. We are to preach the gospel so that sinners can get saved out of the world and placed into Christ. We are to shine as lights in the midst of this crooked and perverse nation (Phil. 2:12-16) but we are not going to change it. That is the real "Christian world view."