The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Chronicles 29:35-36,
"So the service of the temple of the Lord was reestablished. Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what God had brought about for his people, because it was done so quickly."
Hezekiah became king of Judah when he was twenty-five years of age. We are told that in the first month of his first year as king he opened the doors of the temple in Jerusalem. His predecessor and father, King Ahaz, had abandoned the Lord and led the nation astray.
Hezekiah had the temple consecrated by the priests, had all "defilement" removed from it, commanded the sin offerings and burnt offerings to be made. He posted Levites with their musical instruments at the temple and with the "whole assembly" began the worship there. After having the assembly dedicate themselves, he had them bring their sacrifices and thank offerings. In this way the service of the temple was reestablished and both the king and the people "rejoiced at what God had brought about for his people".
Restoring the temple worship was a choice Hezekiah had made. In the face of deplorable spiritual disarray in his nation, Hezekiah took action and addressed it.
Where others might shrug their shoulders in acceptance of what was left them to deal with, Hezekiah took action. He did not allow circumstances to dictate how he would lead his nation. He knew what needed to be done and simply did it.
Here I see a wonderful example to emulate. Where we may have our own spiritual failures, where something in our lives relative to our relationship with the Lord may be in disarray, we have Hezekiah's example for us to follow. Whether by our own doing or even when that disarray may not be our own doing (as in Hezekiah's case), I am entirely convinced the Lord wants us to climb into that saddle and address that challenge, whatever it may be.
Hezekiah was successful and was rewarded by the Lord for it, and we can be too!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
"So the service of the temple of the Lord was reestablished. Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what God had brought about for his people, because it was done so quickly."
Hezekiah became king of Judah when he was twenty-five years of age. We are told that in the first month of his first year as king he opened the doors of the temple in Jerusalem. His predecessor and father, King Ahaz, had abandoned the Lord and led the nation astray.
Hezekiah had the temple consecrated by the priests, had all "defilement" removed from it, commanded the sin offerings and burnt offerings to be made. He posted Levites with their musical instruments at the temple and with the "whole assembly" began the worship there. After having the assembly dedicate themselves, he had them bring their sacrifices and thank offerings. In this way the service of the temple was reestablished and both the king and the people "rejoiced at what God had brought about for his people".
Restoring the temple worship was a choice Hezekiah had made. In the face of deplorable spiritual disarray in his nation, Hezekiah took action and addressed it.
Where others might shrug their shoulders in acceptance of what was left them to deal with, Hezekiah took action. He did not allow circumstances to dictate how he would lead his nation. He knew what needed to be done and simply did it.
Here I see a wonderful example to emulate. Where we may have our own spiritual failures, where something in our lives relative to our relationship with the Lord may be in disarray, we have Hezekiah's example for us to follow. Whether by our own doing or even when that disarray may not be our own doing (as in Hezekiah's case), I am entirely convinced the Lord wants us to climb into that saddle and address that challenge, whatever it may be.
Hezekiah was successful and was rewarded by the Lord for it, and we can be too!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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