II Chronicles Chapter 29. What's my Priority?
As King Hezekiah came on as the new king it's amazing how his first point of business was to re-establish the temple of God and get his people back where they should be with the Lord. All this was done in the first month of his reign.
It's amazing to think how this was so important to him especially when all of Judah was serving other gods and his father, King Ahaz, had closed the Temple of the Lord.
What influenced King Hezekiah to do such a thing when all of Judah was not serving the Lord? Who was his influence or what was his motivation?
Did he just observe the evil as a child and young adult that his father had done against the Lord so that when he became king he didn't hesitate to change things? Or did he have a great mentor who taught him the ways of the Lord as he grew? Whatever the reason, it was in his heart and he didn't hesitate at all to get the Levites and priests right with God, and the leadership and next the people of Judah.
Oh that we would be like that with ourselves and our families and friends. What do I need to do to get right with God? What can I do to ensure my family is learning and living the ways of the Lord? What is my priority when I go to work? Am I self concerned or am I so concerned about others that I see my workplace as a mission field? Am I praying for my family and workplace? Am I praying for God to help me to be able to present his Truth through my actions, my love and my words?
Lord, it was King Hezekiah's priority that during the first month of his reign he was committed to get Judah back with you. Help me Lord for the next 30 days to be more of a light for Jesus in impacting lives for Christ. Help me be more conscious when I'm around others to be an example of you and not compromise with my words or actions the ways of the world. Give me boldness, confidence, and courage to stand up for you and not be afraid to defend you.
Revival was breaking out in Judah .. thanks to Hezekiah’s leadership. How wonderful it would be to see that right now at this time. But as my pastor reminded us this weekend, revival begins with each one of us. All it takes is being with Jesus and having a heart willing to serve Him. I hope that you join in the prayers today going up from all the saints for God’s strength and protection in times like this.
2 Chronicles 7:14 “and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
I’m reminded today of what we read in Psalm 24:1-6.
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
Verses that really stood out to me from this chapter were:
26 So the Levites stood ready with David’s instruments, and the priests with their trumpets.
27 Hezekiah gave the order to sacrifice the burnt offering on the altar. As the offering began, singing to the Lord began also, accompanied by trumpets and the instruments of David king of Israel. 28 The whole assembly bowed in worship, while the musicians played and the trumpets sounded. All this continued until the sacrifice of the burnt offering was completed.
29 When the offerings were finished, the king and everyone present with him knelt down and worshiped. 30 King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to praise the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped.
Reading these verses I tried to picture the sights and sounds as if I were there. I envisioned such joy and thanksgiving in the hearts of the people. And rejoicing in Heaven as God watched His faithful people restore what has been previously destroyed.