Humbling ourselves as a nation before God

President Donald Trump chose to recite 2 Chronicles 7:14 as part of America Reads the Bible, an event hosted by Christians Engaged that ran from April 18-25. This Scripture, which is among many of my favorites, says, "(I)f my people, which are called by my name, shall 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." Every time I have listened to a minister speak on this verse, the focus has been on repentance and a renewed commitment to God, drawing on the historical context of the Lord's response to King Solomon's prayer for the nation of Israel during the first Temple dedication in Jerusalem. Solomon had just led the people in a joyous celebration that included the seven-day Festival of Shelters after he consecrated the Temple courtyard. The Bible says that after Solomon's commemoration, God appeared to him, speaking the covenant assurance of 2 Chronicles 7:14, while also telling him that the Temple had been chosen "for (a) house of sacrifice." &emsp; Trump has come under heavy criticism for selecting this verse, with many arguing that it was taken out of context since it is viewed as an Old Testament promise specifically to Solomon and Israel. During Solomon's reign, Israel was under the dispensation of the law, in which God dealt with the people through the Mosaic Covenant. This period lasted 1,500 years, beginning with Moses leading the people to sanctify themselves in the Sinai wilderness and receiving the Ten Commandments recorded in Exodus 20. It ended with Christ's death and resurrection, ushering in the dispensation of grace. While 2 Chronicles 7:14 was a precise pledge of God to Solomon, the restoration themes of this verse are connected to the New Testament. For example, just as God promised to forgive Israel of their sin if they turned their faces toward Him and humbled themselves, 1 John 1:9 states that "(i)f we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15 that if we forgive others when they sin against us, we receive forgiveness from our heavenly Father for our transgressions. God's promise of forgiveness extends throughout His Word, and I am also reminded of 2 Timothy 3:16, where the New Living Translation reads, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." Thus, 2 Chronicles 7:14 should be used as a teaching Scripture for us to examine ourselves while also reiterating the assurance of God's presence and blessings through covenant fellowship with Him.&emsp; After reading online reactions to Trump quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14, many continue to question the sincerity of the president's faith, with some claiming the reading was just a public ploy. Trump's feud with Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war is still fresh on the minds of many Americans, and with the vast support that Trump has received from conservative Christians in his past campaigns, any religious statement or stance he takes will come under intense scrutiny. However, with the passage from 2 Chronicles recently being in the national spotlight, I think we need to focus on the "healing of our land." You can find numerous commentaries lamenting the country's brokenness, and if you do a quick content analysis of news headlines, violence is front and center. Currently, news outlets are continuing to lead with the story of the White House press dinner shooting and the suspected shooter's social media posts. The heartbreaking story of the Shreveport, Louisiana, father who shot and killed seven of his children and wounded his wife and a suspected girlfriend reignited discussions of mental health, domestic violence and African American men. And as an educator, I consistently get updates on my phone regarding youth depression and suicide. As a Christian, I truly believe we should pray for the healing touch of God's Hand through Christ in America. So many people are desperately despondent, angry or, in the worst cases, as with the Shreveport shooter, overtaken by darkness. God is still the God of deliverance and hope, and we certainly need His grace and redeeming power now. Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus.