April 6, 2022 - 2 Chronicles 27-31

Such a mixed bag with these kings of Judah! Sometimes faithful, often unfaithful. In these chapters, a great deal of attention is given to Hezekiah’s cleansing of the temple and restoration of right worship before the Lord. He sent his couriers throughout the land to cry out, “Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were faithless to the Lord God of their fathers, so that he made them a desolation, as you see. Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the Lord your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you. For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him” (30:7-9).

Our God, fearsome in wrath and great in mercy. How divided were the hearts of the kings and the people! How we long to know the Lord’s mercy rather than his discipline! And so, we sing:

Take my life and let it be

consecrated, Lord, to thee. -- Frances R. Havergal (1874)