Today's devotion comes from 2 Kings 18: 1-7, which you can read here.
In our culture today, a lot of people seem to have embraced the idea that adolescence lasts until you reach your thirties. There are a lot of people in their twenties who are still acting like kids. Not Hezekiah!
He's an example of a young man who's got it right.
At the young age of 25, he took responsibility not only for his position, but also for his calling.
In verse 4 we see him removing, breaking down and cutting down the things he knew were wrong...the things that could get in the way of a life that pleases the Lord.
In verse 5, "he trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel." As such a young king, it could not have been easy to go against the culture of the day, but he did it.
And finally in verse six we see that "he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept his commandments...."
And the result of Hezekiah's choices?
"...after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him."
Hezekiah prospered wherever he went.
It's funny how much we hear about our need to prosper as a country or succeed as individuals, and yet very few people are talking about the need to cling to the Lord. You can't have one without the other.
In what areas in your life do you need to follow Hezekiah's example?
Are there things that need to be removed or cut down?
Are there areas where you aren't trusting in the Lord?
And finally, are you clinging to Him?
In our culture today, a lot of people seem to have embraced the idea that adolescence lasts until you reach your thirties. There are a lot of people in their twenties who are still acting like kids. Not Hezekiah!
He's an example of a young man who's got it right.
At the young age of 25, he took responsibility not only for his position, but also for his calling.
In verse 4 we see him removing, breaking down and cutting down the things he knew were wrong...the things that could get in the way of a life that pleases the Lord.
In verse 5, "he trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel." As such a young king, it could not have been easy to go against the culture of the day, but he did it.
And finally in verse six we see that "he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept his commandments...."
And the result of Hezekiah's choices?
"...after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him."
Hezekiah prospered wherever he went.
It's funny how much we hear about our need to prosper as a country or succeed as individuals, and yet very few people are talking about the need to cling to the Lord. You can't have one without the other.
In what areas in your life do you need to follow Hezekiah's example?
Are there things that need to be removed or cut down?
Are there areas where you aren't trusting in the Lord?
And finally, are you clinging to Him?
The question for me is what shouldn't i cut down. One thing I need to cut down in my life is my computer. I always want to play on my computer, all day, all the time, and put my time with the Lord to the side, or dont spend as much time as I should. Im 31, 6 yrs older than Hezekiah was when he cut down the things he knew was keeping him from a better relationship with the Lord. Wow, I guess I have a lot of work ahead of me. Thank you Lord for showing me, through Robbie, what obstacles are blocking me from You.
ReplyDeleteMy question is what does cling mean? I know when a person is clingy, they get the chararacter trait in a negative way. The person is usually so needy that they are an irritant to the one they are clinging to, desperately needing time, attention, affection, etc. But Hezekiah is not spoken of this way. He is responsible and hard working, able to stand in front of his nation and do what is right, probably against great opposition. He is not wimpy, but dependent. I know there are people I just want to be with all the time because I am better when I am with them. I love church and so do my kids because we are fun as a group and we are on our best behavior, dressed up and celebrating while we learn about Jesus. We are the bride of Christ, the church is and we hold his hand like an engaged couple waiting for the day. Rhayma was learning about 9/11 and she was glad for all the Christians that died and sad for all those that did not know Christ who perished. She has the right idea. Her prayers are so thankful. I cling to His beauty and His joy although it is easier to cling to Him during times of waiting and deep sorrows. I have experienced knowing Him and the fellowship of His sufferings like it says in Philippians. I pray to know Him more through His Word, another way to cling to Him, thoroughly. It is so deep and I struggle to study. My time on the computer going through pictures is deeper than my time in the Word until the rains come down and I dive in again for the meat to nourish me.
ReplyDelete