2 Chronicles 30-32

In 2 Chronicles 30-32, Hezekiah rules Judah wholeheartedly for God, and it makes all the difference in the world for God's people.  He starts by campaigning for God.  Back in the days without email, internet, and news channels, Hezekiah sends out a proclamation throughout Israel to celebrate the Passover in "large numbers" a week late in Jerusalem.  Then, Hezekiah takes the lead in praying for the people and worshiping God.  It's a real faith revival, and people leave Jerusalem renewed, encouraged, and equipped to give their lives and their "first fruits" to God.  Life is good, just like it had been so many years earlier in the days of King David and King Solomon.

One thing about it, as we try to live faithful lives, there is so much misinformation out there and so many misconceptions clamoring for our attention.  We need a "go-to" way to deal with it all so it doesn't have a chance to weaken our faith.

One source of misinformation is people who doubt God, who don't know Him enough to understand His unconditional love for us and His real power in our lives.  

The king of Assyria is one of these people in today's reading.  He wants to defeat God's people, and so he starts with words.  His opinions and voice messes with minds and scares people.  

We can't let people like that interfere with our faith and God's ability to fight our battles.  We have to believe.  And, King Hezekiah, and his faithful crew show us what to do if we believe.  They stay strong because they allow God to be in the middle of their conversations and their battles.  King Hezekiah reminds us,

7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8  

God's people fight with prayers.  And, the next thing we know, the entire Assyrian army gets annihilated beyond explanation.

No matter what we see, what others are doing or not doing, what we hear, no matter what- we can't give up on our amazing, mighty, and loving God.  He is sovereign, and He loves US.  His grace is life-giving. We can count on God's truth, and celebrate it.  He is the source of the "good life" we all desperately want and need.

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for taking care of me.  Thank You for giving me the "good life" through Your son, Jesus.  

Forgive me for all the ways I allow doubt and pride to cloud my heart.  I know  that You are the source of all success.  Nothing I accomplish for good is by my own abilities but by Your powerful grace at work in me.  Help me to help others draw closer to You with love and prayers.  Help me let go of my fears and selfish pride and hold on to life-giving faith in You.

You, Lord, are the one true miracle worker in my life and in the lives of those around me.  I give you thanks today for Your great works in my life [take time to reflect on those] and in the lives of ____________________. 

In the name of Jesus I pray,

Amen

Blessings,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.

2 Kings 18-20

So, some light shines in the darkness in 2 Kings 18-20 through Judah's King Hezekiah.  Much of Israel (the other faction) is exiled from their homeland by the Assyrians, but this guy in Judah gets it right like the great King David, serving God as He reigns.  His time as king is full of challenges.  The king of Assyria threatens to take Hezekiah and Judah down with his skilled and well-equipped entourage.  However, God works out the details of Assyria's defeat instead.  Hezekiah is near death from an illness, but God restores his health because of his sincere and heartfelt prayer.  There are no ifs, ands, or buts about King Hezekiah's loyalty to God.  God is with him, making him successful.  

Finally, there's a leader in Judah who puts God first, just like King David, and it shows!  This is such good news in the middle of Israel's biblical soap opera we've been reading.

As I read, I just want to figure it out, you know?  What does this Hezekiah do right?  How does he do it?  He has this really strong, direct connection to God, and I want to learn to do what he does...

4 He removed the high places,smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.[a])

5 Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.

2 Kings 18:3-5

The man basically cleaned house for God, with Him in mind at all times.  He trusted God, and He was really good at putting it all out there in prayer.

It seems so simple when I look at it that way, but I think it gets complicated when we have to follow through in the middle of our chaotic and ever-changing lives.  

So, what about it?  How do I need to clean house with God in mind?  How do I need to trust God more?  And what do I need to bring before God in prayer?

I always have room to grow in my faith, so there's always something more I can do...

And when I do, life just gets better and better.

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for being my strength and my redeemer.  Forgive me for the ways I act on my own imperfect thoughts and ways day to day.  Help me to clean house for You on a regular, as-needed basis.  Show me where and how to trust You more.  And, Lord, open my heart to all the things I need to bring to You in prayer.  Speak to me.

I want to follow You and do what is right in Your eyes.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

Love of Christ,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.