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Dr. Couch, does 2 Chronicles 7:14 fit us today? I have heard some say that it does not.

ANSWER: I believe it is a broad principle that certainly has secondary application to any nation that calls upon the Lord. The passage is first applied to Israel. They were a theocracy that was required to honor the Lord and follow His Laws. America today is not a theocracy but there are certainly principles and guidelines in this verse that would apply.

   The verse reads:

And 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, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Any nation marked by pride will fall, and any people who call upon the God of the Scriptures will be blessed. Note also there must be repentance, turning from sin! I believe in the larger sense America at one time did this, but no more. The evil forces in this nation have been winning for some time now. A larger portion of our people have no idea what the Bible is all about, have no concept of who God is, and certainly have no thought as to what constitutes sin and evil. There will be a price to pay. The Bible Knowledge Commentary notes:

   "God encouraged Solomon by the promise that if His judgment should fall on the nation of Israel for their sin, they need only turn to the Lord in earnest humility and repentance and they would find forgiveness and restoration (vv. 13-15)." Without such repentance and confession there would be no forgiveness; judgment would be certain. And so for America!

   Thanks for asking.
   Dr. Mal Couch