IT IS GOOD TO DO RIGHT BY THE LORD GOD

PROCLAMATION

“In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly.  And so he prospered.”  2 Chronicles 31:21 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

When the unfaithful King Ahaz died, his son Hezekiah succeeded him as king of Judah. (2 Chronicles 28:27)  Hezekiah did that which was right in the eyes of The Lord God just as King David had done. (2 Chronicles 29:1-2)  He reopened the doors of the temple and repaired them.  Then he ordered the priests and the Levites to consecrate themselves and the temple, and to remove all of the defilement from the sanctuary. (2 Chronicles 29:3-5)  When this was done, he ordered them to offer a sacrifice of atonement. (2 Chronicles 29:20-36)  King Hezekiah then sent word to all of Judah and Israel, inviting them to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 30:1-12)  A very large crowd gathered in Jerusalem and they celebrated the Passover for fourteen days.  There was great joy among the people for nothing like this had happened since the days of King Solomon. (Chronicles 30:13-27)  After the celebration, Hezekiah ordered that all of the monuments of idolatry throughout the land be destroyed. (2 Chronicles 31:1)  Then he assigned the priests and Levites to divisions in order to perform their duties throughout the country.  He then asked to people to give of their firstfruits to support the work of The Lord and he contributed from his own possessions. (2 Chronicles 31:2-6)  The response of the people was so great that they had to build new storerooms in the temple. (2 Chronicles 31:7-12)   

APPLICATION

We will all be known by that which we do.  Since we know that The Lord God is righteous, we should do that which is righteous, and we will be known as a child of God. (1 John 2:29)  If we love Him, then we should keep His commandments and obey His words. (John 14:15 and 14:21)  We should not only be hearers, readers, and speakers of The Word of God, but we should also be doers of His Holy Word. (James 1:22)  Our behavior and our lifestyle should also reflect our belief in The Lord God.  While none of us is perfect, we could all do better, and all of us should pray for a closer walk with The Lord.