With All His Heart

And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered. 2 Chronicles 31:21

Hezekiah became King of Judah when he was twenty-five years old and he immediately set about to clean-up the mess of the previous king. 2 Chronicles 29:2 tells us Hezekiah did what was right in the sight of the Lord. Hezekiah knew the cause of the desolation which had fallen upon the land—the people had turned away from God (v. 6-9).

Hezekiah made a covenant with God (v. 10) and he called upon the Levites to return to serving and ministering in the Lord’s house (v. 11). When the Levites had sanctified themselves and the house of the Lord, Hezekiah commanded a sin offering be made not only for Judah, but also for all Israel (v. 24). (Note: this was unusual because Israel was split into two kingdoms at this time.)

Then Hezekiah sent letters out to all Israel and to Judah that everyone should come to Jerusalem to keep the Passover (this had not been done for quite some time). He encouraged the people to serve the Lord, “for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him” (2 Chronicles 30:9).

Verse 10 tells us that as the runners passed from city to city delivering the letter from Hezekiah they were laughed at and mocked; nevertheless some humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. Verse 11 says that all Judah obeyed the command of the king because God “gave them singleness of heart to obey”.

As the people gathered and celebrated the Passover, we are told Hezekiah prayed—the Lord listened to him and healed the people (v. 20) and furthermore, when the Levites blessed the people, their voices were heard by the Lord in His holy dwelling place, heaven (v.27).

Hezekiah did not shrink away from his duties. He saw the situation was severe and he immediately set to work. He followed God with all his heart. He obeyed God quickly, sweetly, and completely and “so he prospered” (31:21). Blessings are linked to obedience.

Dearest Lord, I pray that I would follow the example set here by Hezekiah. Show me what you would have me do; give me clean hands and a pure heart that I may follow You and obey You quickly, sweetly, and completely in all things. Amen.

God Bless!