In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them.—2 Chronicles 29:3
Then King Hezekiah rose early, gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD. 21 And they brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats for a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. Then he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD.—2 Chronicles 29:20-21
27 Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel. 28 So all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.—2 Chronicles 29:27-28
Hezekiah was a first things first kinda king! In the first year of his reign..in the first month…He opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. He looked at the heart of Judah’s problem (which was spiritual) and addressed it first. Hezekiah restored true temple worship as it was practiced in the time of David and Solomon. His goal is stated in verse 10.
“Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us.
Verses 27 and 28 (see above) are my favorites and are a good summary. Sacrifice was made…the trumpeters began to play, the cymbals to crash and the people to sing. Then the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped.
I love this because when I begin to worship God in prayer and in song, especially in the presence of His people, my own heart begins to empty itself of me and fill with my God. Worshipping God brings joy because worshipping brings unity. Unity with God, and unity with others. In Him, we are one.
Our faith is encouraged and strengthened as we look beyond ourselves to the God of the Universe. We are not alone. The gracious, merciful, omnipotent and all sufficient God is with us and lives in us. He who loves us leads us and intercedes for us. He will show us the path of life. In His presence is fullness of joy. At His right hand are pleasures forevermore.
20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.—John 17:20-23
Beloved…May His song be heard in our hearts, in our lives and in our churches as we worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Now thanks be to our God, who always leads us in triumph!
Picture by sweet “e” . Rose by God.
