There are two things you really need to make note of when reading this powerful verse in 2 Chronicles. The first is the part that most leave out. This verse is usually quoted 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” What they leave out is 13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people.” This is very important for us to read also because it describes our present situation. We are in captivity and our land lies desolate. Once we realize our desolation we will humble ourselves and confess. Sadly most do not see our land being ravaged as Gideon was raised in. Judges 6:5 “It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. 6 Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help. Isaiah was sent out with this message. 9 He said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ 10 Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” 11 Then I said, “For how long, Lord?” And he answered: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, 12 until the Lord has sent everyone far away.”
      On Sunday we talked about being raised in captivity and not knowing it. Gideon knew it because he could see it. The difference between them and us is that the vast army was right before their eyes and the results were devastating. For us we can’t see the enemy but the results are the same so why are people not asking as Gideon asked where are all the wonders. The second is this verse is to the church. First of all Paul said in Romans 8:14 “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” 1 John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” Hosea 1:10 “Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.” Ephesians 3:2 “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26 “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

            So we must understand that this verse applies to us as we are in captivity, the land is ravaged and we cannot defeat our enemies. The land has been left desolate. We God’s people who are children of God, children of the promise must humble ourselves before him. Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” As we humble ourselves before God in confession, God said he would hear from heaven, and forgive our sin and will heal our land.”