When

When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you. When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you. When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come. When a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel—each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart, and spreading out his hands toward this temple— then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men). (1 Kings 8:33, 35, 37–39, NIV 1984).

When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, “We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly;” and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you. (1 Kings 8:46–50, NIV 1984).

My Musings – The key word is “when,” not if. “For there is no one who does not sin.” Even His people. Individually or a collective plurality (as in a country). If not dealt with through repentance, a “turn[ing] back to [Him] with all their heart and soul,” there will be consequences, to “whatever disaster or disease may come.” But that need not be the end of the matter. Individuals and nations can have a change of heart. He will “hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. He will “forgive all the offenses they have committed against [Him].

My Advice – Let the turning back begin with His Church.

Author: thebrewisamusing

I was raised in a Christian family and my earliest childhood memories include regular Sunday school and Church attendance as a family. I was taught that our Judeo-Christian values were not just a part of our Sunday routine they should be part of our character and influence all aspects of our lives. I was also taught that as important as these values were they could not save us. We must also be “born again” by accepting Christ. View all posts by thebrewisamusing