Gospel Reading Plan: Mark 11-12
The Prayer for the Zealous
Read: 2 Chronicles 29:1 – 31:1
King Hezekiah loved God and helped bring the nation of Israel back to
God through making many reformations. Seeing
the connection between the religious state of the nation and God’s wrath, He had
the temple repaired, brought in the priests and worked to purify the temple of
the Lord. In his zeal to worship the
Lord, he gathered city officials and had the priests offer sin offerings as
well as reinstating worship in the way prescribed by David. We read that they kept worshipping, offering
sacrifices and singing. The service of
the temple of the Lord was re-established and the people rejoiced! Hezekiah then sends word inviting all to come
and celebrate the yearly Passover, which had not been done for a very long
time. The problem came when people who
were unfit for celebrating the Passover due to their uncleanliness, joined in,
breaking the Old Testament Law. This was
an oversight due to their zeal and excitement.
When the time came to sacrifice the Passover lamb, many had not
consecrated themselves yet they ate the Passover
(2 Chron. 30:18). This could have easily
brought the wrath of God upon them. But
Hezekiah prayed to God seeking God’s pardon of this violation of His laws. The Lord heard Hezekiah’s prayer and healed
the people (2 Chron. 30:20). His prayer
was simple, that God may forgive those who had set their hearts on seeking
Him. The people had sinned out of
ignorance, they were really trying to please the Lord, worship Him and serve Him. As Christians, often we need to show the same
sort of grace to young earnest believers who are seeking God but lack Biblical
understanding. They should be encouraged
to continue to seek the Lord wholeheartedly but also be taught correctly from
the Word of God. We, like Hezekiah,
should pray for God to forgive and bless those who are diligently seeking Him
and not stifle their enthusiasm.
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
- What does today’s passage teach you about the character of God? Spend some time thanking Him for this.
- Ask the Lord to show you whether or not you have been judgmental of other believers who have made mistakes, even though they are earnestly seeking the Lord.
- Ask the Lord to show you His grace and love in a new way today and that you would be zealous to please Him.
