2 Chronicles 29

“So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order. Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly.”  2 Chronicles 29:35b-36 (NKJV)

When it comes to decisions where faith in God’s Word must be employed, I follow a simple rule: Work as if it all depends on me, knowing that it all depends on God. That seems to be the overriding principle of today’s passage. After all the hard work that Hezekiah, the Levites, priests, and the people put forth, Hezekiah still gave the credit to God. He understood that God’s Spirit works through the diligent efforts of His people but that He doesn’t need our works to accomplish His plan on earth. Suppose we let that idea settle in on our operational theology (how we live out our faith). In that case, we can find joy in the fact that the God of all creation chooses not only to declare us co-inheritors but also co-laborers with Messiah in the outreach & salvation of lost people, Him working through us as we work.

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.  According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-11 (NKJV)

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”  2 Corinthians 5:20-21; 6:1-2 (NKJV)

Notice the progression of Hezekiah’s righteous upbringing, which leads him to make the faithful decision to restore the doors of the Temple. Then Hezekiah recruits faithful men to clean-out the Temple, consecrate themselves, and minister to others on behalf of the Lord. It is the same process concerning our personal salvation. It all begins at the “door” of our hearts and our choice to follow Jesus, followed by our being filled with the Holy Spirit, Who sanctifies our hearts & actions. That leads to co-laboring with other believers in effective evangelism & discipleship.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock….” Revelation 3:20a (NKJV)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)