Quid Pro Quo
". . . 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 will forgive their sin and heal their land." — 2 Chronicles 7:14 "Quid pro quo" is a Latin expression which means an equal exchange, or "a this for that." It speaks of something that is given or received for something else. It can also be expressed, "If you will then I will." It's also a legal term that lawyers use to impress their clients! When we carry this popular expression over into the Scriptures, it reveals the many promises by God to bless His children when they respond in love and obedience to Him (John 14:15, 21). Here are just a few examples: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." — James 4:8 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." — John 15:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." — Matthew 7:7 "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." — Jeremiah 29:13 " . . . that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." — Romans 10:9 One of the most prominent and well-known instances of a quid pro quo in the Old Testament is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 above, when God spoke to Israel through Solomon at the dedication of the first Temple upon its completion. It came on the heels of the grandest worship service ever held by Israel. In fact, the meeting was so magnificent that we are told, "the glory of the LORD filled the house." (2 Chronicles 7:1). 2 Chronicles 7:14 is God's "If you will then I will," and it holds just as true today as it did 3,000 years ago when it was first spoken. In this declaration God says that if His people will do three things, He will respond in three ways. Quid pro quo. It's a great lesson for us and practice to follow. Here they are:
If we will humble ourselves, He will hear from heaven.
If we will pray and seek His face, He will forgive our sins.
If we will turn from our wicked ways, He will heal our land.
I believe God is waiting for His church, the "people who are called by His name," to fulfill our part. When we do, there's no doubt He will fulfill His. So, Body of Christ, what are we waiting for? Maranatha!
