2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-31, Psalm 48

Changing Life

Most of us do not like change.  We love to be in a comfort zone of life.  That comfort zone may involve a lot of activity and effort, yet we are comfortable and would not have any desire to change to something less active.  On the other hand, some of us are very comfortable sitting down for hours in a quiet place with a good book.  For those of us in this group, to change to always “being on the go” would be uncomfortable.

Today we see that there is a change that cannot only be comfortable, but actually joyful.  It is a change that occurred because of a 25 year old man who is the hero of today’s passage, Hezekiah.  A change that happened because of something in his life that is repeated two times.

And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD. (2Kings 18:3 & 2Chronicles 29:2)

What that means is…        

He trusted in the Lord God (2Kings 18:5)

He held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments (2Kings 18:6)

As a result of this, changes occurred not only in his life but also in the life of those in contact with him and throughout the nation of Judah.  Sprinkled throughout the record of these changes, are these results:

So they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped. (2Chronicles 29:30)

Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced (2Chronicles 29:36)

Then the whole assembly agreed to keep the feast another seven days, and they kept it another seven days with gladness. (2Chronicles 30:23)

The whole assembly of Judah rejoiced, also the priests and Levites, all the assembly that came from Israel, the sojourners who came from the land of Israel, and those who dwelt in Judah.  So there was great joy in Jerusalem. (2Chronicles 30:25-26)

So the question is, “Who wouldn’t want, and even desire, change that results in gladness, joy and rejoicing?”

The change that will bring these results in our lives is the same change that brought them throughout all of Judah.

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God. (2Chronicles 31:20)

When we make a change to do what is “right in the sight of the LORD,” the result of that change is gladness, joy and rejoicing.

Heavenly Father, help me to know, like Hezekiah, those things that are right, not in my sight or the sight of others but in Your sight.  Knowing these things, help me to hear your Spirit as He tells me of the changes I need to make.  Finally help me to follow this young man, Hezekiah’s, example and take action, today and in the weeks and months to come.