Let’s look at the following phrases: If my people . . . Si mon peuple . . . Si mi pueblo . . . Wenn dann dieses Volk . . . They represent various translations of words spoken to King Solomon, son of David, at a time when he was ruling over the United Kingdom of Judah and Israel. He had just finished building what came to be known as Solomon’s Temple, and he was participating in its dedication. These words are attributed to Yahweh, the Hebrew God, in a different time and different place than when and where we find ourselves now. Yet I think we can find hope and strength in the quotation which we are examining today.

As we are all citizens of the world, perhaps most of us can agree that we have turned away from justice and goodness when we have been guilty of valuing certain people more than others; guilty of stripping our earth of its resources without giving due consideration to what that will mean for future generations; guilty of ignoring the homeless, the hungry, and the hurting; and guilty of substituting meanness of spirit for kindness.

Read in the language of your choice and reflect with me on these ancient words from the Old Testament of the Holy Bible as found in the book of Second Chronicles.

English: 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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV11 (New International Version 2011)

Français: Si mon peuple sur qui est invoqué mon nom s’humilie, prie, et cherche ma face, et s’il se détourne de ses mauvaises voies, je l’exaucerai des cieux, je lui pardonnerai son péché, et je guérirai son pays. 2 Chroniques 7:14 LSG (Bible Segond 1910)

Español: Si se humillare mi pueblo, sobre el cual mi nombre es invocado, y oraren, y buscaren mi rostro, y se convirtieren de sus malos caminos; entonces yo oiré desde los cielos, y sanaré su tierra. 2 Crónicas 7:14 RVR 1960 (Biblia Reina Valera 1960)

Deutsche: Wenn dann dieses Volk, über dem mein Name ausgerufen ist, sich besinnt, wenn es zu mir betet und von seinen falschen Wegen wieder zu mir umkehrt, dann werde ich im Himmel sein Gebet hören. Ich will ihm alle Schuld vergeben und auch die Schäden des Landes wieder heilen. 2 Chronik 7:14 GNB 1997 (Gute Nachricht Bibel 1997)

Encouraging Words
Connie Carlisle Polley, 2020
ConnieCarlislePolley.com