Read: 2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Romans 14:1-23; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 20:12
Hezekiah came to reign when his father Ahaz died. His father had shut the doors of the house of the Lord and brought much idolatry into Judah. Hezekiah did the opposite. He opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired everything his father had destroyed. He called all the priests and Levites and had them consecrate themselves, then remove all the filth out of the Holy Place. He did this the first month he came to be king.
Hezekiah understood that the reason the nation was weak and falling apart was because they had forsaken the Lord. He admonished the priests and Levites to set everything up so they could return to the commands of the Lord and worship him the way the law said. The Levites worked and brought out all the unholy things and carried them to the Keaton brook. They consecrated themselves and the Temple. It took only 8 days to do all this so on the 16th day of the month it was done.
Hezekiah gathered all the officials of the city and took them to the house of the Lord. They brought 7 bulls, 7 goats and 7 lambs to the sanctuary for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel.
The Levites made music with cymbals, harps and lyres and the priests blew trumpets. They offered the burnt offerings, sang to the Lord and worshiped to the sound of trumpets. When all the animals had been offered the king and all the people bowed and worshiped the Lord. Then he invited all who had brought an offering to bring it to the priests. They brought thousands of peace, burnt, and drink offerings to the Lord. The people rejoiced because God had provided for his people to do this and it happened so quickly.
Sin is gradual, but repentance and restoration is immediate.
In Romans, Paul tells us not to judge each other’s conscience. It takes time to build faith to understand the freedom we have in Christ. Everyone comes to the Lord with different pasts and beliefs. It takes time to rest in the love of the Lord and walk in freedom. Everyone worships God according to their understanding so Paul tells us not to judge them according to our understanding. God sees the heart. In the end we will all stand before God and give an answer for our lives.
We are not to discourage others in their walk with the Lord or condemn them in the way they walk out their walk with the Lord. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If we serve Christ, then we are accepted by God. So, we should not be arguing about how a person does this, but look for what we agree about and build relationships around the things we agree on.
Paul also encourages those who live in freedom not to flaunt it in front of those who live more lawfully. Our faith is personal and between us and God. We just need to live in freedom of conscience. The Holy Spirit is our guide to help us know what is good and right.
Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit in our lives. May we live in a way that is not a stumbling block for others but a stepping stone to You. May our hearts honor you and shine your light to others.
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