July 1 -  2 Chronicles 29:3-31:21

Good morning everyone,

This morning we read about one of the greatest, if not the greatest, revivals a nation has ever seen. King Hezekiah, the son of the wicked king Ahaz, took the throne at the age of twenty-five and he did what was good in the eyes of the Lord. Hezekiah had witnesses the ten northern nations destruction and understood it was God’s judgement on them and so it was when he became king that he immediately began the process of “cleaning house” and bringing the people to repentance.

First job, getting the temple ready for re-opening. He summoned the priests and the Levites to meet with him, instructed them to purify themselves being careful to follow the Lord’s instructions.  Once they were clean the went about the task of cleaning out the sanctuary of the Lord to purify it. They took out everything that was unclean and carried it away. 29:17 says, “They began the consecration on the first day of the first month, and by the eighth day of the month they reached the portico of the Lord. For eight more days they consecrated the temple of the Lord itself, finishing on the sixteenth day of the first month.” 

Now the temple is clean, the instruments are repaired and ready to use, it was time to sacrifice, to make atonement for all of Israel. We’re told that Hezekiah sent runners throughout all of Israel carrying letters inviting all the people to return to the Lord, the God of their ancestors and while some declined many others humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. Then on the fourteenth day of the second month the people slaughtered the Passover lamb and Hezekiah prayed, ““May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” Then … then, the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. I love that!

Friends, if you have walked away from the Lord, there is so much hope in these verses. All we have to do is pray with a sincere heart and repent of our waywardness, of our idols, of our life apart from God and He is faithful to forgive and welcome us back. Psalm 51, where David pleads for forgiveness after he went in to Bathsheba, is a great example of what that prayer should look like. It appeals to God’s great mercy, honesty, owning the situation, a desire to reform and understanding that forgiveness is not deserved but by God’s grace alone. More than forgiveness, though, just like Hezekiah was restoring Judah, David wanted restoration. This is something we should all seek. Right? David did not want to be stuck in the guilt of his sin as he moved into the future. He says in verse 12, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit." David wants to repent and be done with it. Knowing God has removed his sin from him, David wants to experience joy again.

Is there a hidden sin that you need to repent of with the same heart Hezekiah and David had? Do you find you haven't been completely honest with God? Do you need to have the joy of God's salvation restored to you, have a revival within your heart? Repentance is the way. Acts 8:22 says, “Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.” Our God is an amazing God of hope and love. His hand is outstretched just waiting for you to stir yourself up and take hold. I would encourage you to do just that, take hold and choose life. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all ….