Begin with God

Begin with God. This is the lesson Hezekiah teaches us.

His father Ahaz was the king of Judah. But the Bible says that “he had promoted wickedness in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the LORD” (2 Chronicles 28P:19). But when he died, and Hezekiah became king he decided to begin with God. A bad past did not stop him from making a fresh start with God.

The Bible records that “in the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the LORD and repaired them” (2 Chronicles 29:3) [emphasis added]. We need to remember that his father Ahaz had closed the temple and had built altars at every street corner thus promoting worship of false gods and idols. But Hezekiah’s first act when he began to reign was to restore worship of the living God.

Then he encouraged the Levites and priests asking them to consecratethemselves and the temple. Every attempt at revival should begin with ourselves getting right with God first.

Ask God to give you a true repentance of heart and a clean break with all that is unclean and wrong in your life. Then you can begin to set aright worship in your live. The priests after having consecrated themselves started to purify the temple of the LORD “as the king had ordered, following the word of the LORD (v. 15). [emphasis added]

Once the purification was complete worship began. There was singing to the LORD accompanied by musical instruments. People bowed down in worship. There were offerings and sacrifices. And the result of all this is recorded thus:

“So the service of the temple of the LORD was re-established. Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what God had brought about for his people, because it was done so quickly” (2 Chronicles 29:35b, 36 NIV).

When you become willing to begin with God and there is a restoration of worship; there will be a new song in your life and an abundance of joy. Do not be discouraged if others related to you have forsaken God. You still can make a difference with God’s help.

Take a bold stand for God and several others will come to seek God as a result of your example. Who knows how big a revival can be ignited by your choice to consecrate yourself to serve the living God! Who knows what a transformation can come to your sphere of influence and that too quickly!

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