King Hezekiah – Be Still…

2 Chronicles 32:9-23 – Our Faith Under Attack

Read 2 Chronicles 32:9-23

Have you ever been ridiculed for your faith? Perhaps untruths were spread about something you did or said. That’s what Hezekiah endured as King Sennacherib of Assyria tried to distract the people from listening to Hezekiah’s declaration about how God would sustain them.

All it takes is a little doubt to cause us to stumble in matters of faith. Clearly, Sennacherib was feeling pressured to find success. He did a fine job of tooting his own horn and that of the Assyrian kings who had come before him. By casting a shadow on the trust people had in their God and his servant, Hezekiah, Sennacherib was doing what he thought would be most effective in assuring an Assyrian victory. Continue reading “2 Chronicles 32:9-23 – Our Faith Under Attack”

2 Chronicles 31:1-21 – Faithfulness to God

Read 2 Chronicles 31:1-21

The celebration of our last reading seems to have overtaken the hearts of the people in Hezekiah’s kingdom. Once again, we see the Israelites destroying pagan shrines and altars. The people, who appear unified, are following King Hezekiah’s example of piety, or faithfulness to God.

Did you sense a calmness in the text? It’s as if reading about their harmony transcends time and encourages us still today. This is what a God-fearing group of faithful people looks like. Unfortunately, we’re hard pressed today to find such a group. Even within our churches we deal with division. I read a startling statistic just today that church attendance over all denominations is declining.

2 Chronicles 30:10-27 – Celebrate God!

Read 2 Chronicles 30:10-27

What a celebration! I was holding my breath when Hezekiah made some ‘adjustments” to the rules in place regarding the Passover. But the LORD listened to Hezekiah’s prayer, and there was no punishment. Instead, people were healed, and many people celebrated Passover once more.

Hezekiah made a way for God’s name to be honored. Allegiance to God was restored because people remembered God’s rescue from slavery and provision in the wilderness. It’s important we never forget Jesus’s rescue mission for us.

2 Chronicles 30:1-9 – The Invitation

Read 2 Chronicles 30:1-9

King Hezekiah continues to want to bring honor to God. He is even “bending the rules,” to include more people. Hezekiah is doing his best to encourage more people to repent and return to God. He’s in the perfect position to exert his influence to make good things happen.

The celebration of Passover is approaching; and that is a big deal for Hezekiah and people following the LORD. From the sounds of it, Hezekiah’s plan is to bring all of Israel and Judah together to remember the miracle God worked in the lives of their ancestors.