“So the people of Israel who were present in Jerusalem joyously celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days…There was great joy in the city, for Jerusalem had not seen a celebration like this one since the days of Solomon….
In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.”
2 Chronicles 30:21, 26; 31:21 NLT
I am deeply challenged by a twenty-five-year-old king whose actions constantly demonstrated the priority of his heart—relationship with God.
First, Hezekiah opened the doors of the Temple, cleansed the Temple, and re-dedicated it to its original purpose..
Next, Hezekiah invited all the people of Israel and Judah to celebrate the Passover. With great joy they remembered how God delivered them from bondage, and then in dedication to the LORD, they removed all the pagan shrines and altars from the land.
Finally, Hezekiah organized the priests and Levites for service in the Temple. The daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly offerings were re-established, and the people once again brought their tithe so worship in Temple could continue.
The story of Hezekiah’s life could be summed up in the Temple and the Passover. In other words, he opened the door to relationship with God, remembered what God did so they could have relationship with God, and continued that relationship with God every day, every month, and all year long.
I wonder—is that the story of MY life? Do I daily open the door of my heart? Is there room for God in my life, or do I need to remove some pagan shrines? Do I give God my best in appreciation for the price He paid for relationship with me? In other words,
Am I devoted to relationship?
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