“If your people Israel are defeated by their enemies because they have sinned against you, and if they turn back and acknowledge your name and pray to you here in this Temple, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and return them to this land you gave to them and to their ancestors. “If the skies are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and if they pray toward this Temple and acknowledge your name and turn from their sins because you have punished them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path, and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession. “If there is a famine in the land or a plague or crop disease or attacks of locusts or caterpillars, or if your people’s enemies are in the land besieging their towns—whatever disaster or disease there is— and if your people Israel pray about their troubles or sorrow, raising their hands toward this Temple, then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart. Then they will fear you and walk in your ways as long as they live in the land you gave to our ancestors. [2 Chronicles 6.24-31]
This is a portion of Solomon's prayer of dedication at the opening of the Temple in Jerusalem. It reveals uncomplicated fundamental life information.
In summary of all that Solomon lists in this passage, we find: defeat by enemies, drought, famine, plagues, disasters and diseases. All these are simply and clearly identified as the results of sin.
A parallel list of 'troubles' can also be seen in Deuteronomy 28 indicating the presence of sin (disobedience to God). They are identified as "curses."
Solomon's prayer here regarding these curses is one and the same for all: he asks for forgiveness.
Now, isn't it interesting that Jesus made the following little revelatory speech:
Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house. [Matthew 9.2-7]
As much as we today like to dismiss 'troubles' (curses) to simply 'living' (without any indication of sin), the Biblical truth of the matter remains fixed for eternity: curses upon our lives are unmistakable indicators for the need of repentance! AND curses upon the lives of others are our best indicators for the need to forgive them.
Jesus was not unclear about this very topic:
Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.21-23]
Much healing and restoration is missed for these two reasons: we refuse to ask for forgiveness and we refuse to give forgiveness.
Faith cannot overcome unforgiveness. Faith simply will not work in unforgiveness. Faith works by love (Galatians 5.6) and love forgives (John 3.16).
Forgiveness comes from God first, then through us to the world (as demonstrated by Jesus as our example).
For the record, and contrary to popular opinion, forgiveness is not something we give to ourselves. This is proven by God's own example: Jesus did not forgive Himself, but instead received full punishment for the sin of the world. Had He forgiven Himself (as people suggest we should do), the world would still be under the curse of sin and death!
Life only becomes complicated when we refuse to acknowledge what the Bible has taught us all along: sin results in curses that are removed only by forgiveness. The only reason man cannot accept this simplicity is pride (the #1 thing God hates).
Father, help us to just accept what the Bible has taught all along about sin, curses, and forgiveness.
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