2Chronicles 30:1-27
Monday, 12 August 2024
“Now do not stiffen your neck like your fathers, but yield to the LORD and enter His sanctuary ……….”- 2Chronicles 30:8
During the reign of King Hezekiah, who “did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David has done” (2Chr.29:2), the nation of Judah went through a revival, which resulted in the total transformation of the nation. This is very significant in a Christian’s life today, as with the passage of time and changing circumstances, many fall away from their devotion to the Lord and fall prey to the schemes of the evil one. What Hezekiah did in Judah is what we need to do in our own lives—“the little nation that we rule!” The details of the revival and its impact are described in Chapters 29-32.
King Hezekiah is a type of leader – a Parent, a Pastor, an Elder, a Political Leader or anyone in the capacity of leading! The principles are very clearly laid down and the result of it significance! May our homes, churches and nations prosper and be victorious like the nation led by Hezekiah, as we understand and apply the principles followed by Hezekiah.
· Lives Yielded to God
In 2Chr.29:3 we read that Hezekiah “opened the doors of the house of the LORD.” At the end of the chapter (V.35): “the service of the house of the LORD was established again.” After reinstating worship, Hezekiah sent word to all his people to gather together to celebrate the Passover. God established the Passover to be a memorial (Exodus 12:14). Celebrating the Passover is not just a festivity, but obeying God’s command and a time of gratitude to God Almighty who saved them from their distress; it becomes also a time to make them humble before God when they acknowledge that they were slaves one time and it is God’s powerful hand that delivered them. Thus, celebrating the Passover becomes a declaration of their total surrender to God!
Unless a person gives himself totally to God/yields to God, he can’t acknowledge God’s sovereignty in his life, of which the Passover speaks about! So Hezekiah sends word to all the people to come to the house of the LORD to celebrate the Passover.
The revival that happened was so profound that their prayers reached the very throne of God! (V.27)
· They Humbled (V.11)
Although many people laughed, scorned and mocked the messengers of the king, there were a few who humbled themselves and returned to the LORD. When we hear the voice of God, let us be humble enough to turn to Him – that is the beginning of revival!
· God United Them (Vs.12-13)
When God saw them humbled His hand moved to give them one heart. As many families and ministries stand divided, God will still bring in unity if they decide to return to God and humble themselves!!
· Removed all Idol Worship (V.14)
It is paramount to the worship of God that all other worships are removed! There are often many forms of worship in our lives – may it be our addiction to Social Media, addiction to lustful thoughts and material that feeds it, addiction to self-pity and to pride, - they are all many forms of worshipping an idol – THE SELF!!
· Celebrated the Passover (V.15)
Christ is our Passover (1Cor.5:7). For them it was celebration of the Passover; for us today it is to consecrate Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb, to be the Lord of our lives!!
· Cleansing by the Blood (Vs.16,17)
As the priests sprinkled the blood of the Passover lamb upon those who were unclean, let us be sprinkled by the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John1:7-9)
· Intercession (Vs.18,19 & 27)
Hezekiah Prayed or interceded for the people and God heard it! Further the Levitical Priests also prayed and “their prayer came to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.”
As it is written in verse 26 “there was great joy in Jerusalem.” Let us come back to God and re-submit our lives totally: Yield to Him!! May revival flow in our Churches, homes and nations!! Blessed will be the leaders and people who wholeheartedly yield themselves to the lordship of Jesus Christ!
Thought for the Day: “God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” ~Andrew Murray
Comments