Hezekiah calls his people back to serving God. It had been a long time since Israel had truly served God the way they should have. It was difficult and there were lots of mistakes in rituals and purifications and other details. But Hezekiah knew that God “looks at the heart” when he appraises men. The biblical record of his actions, even though they violated some Old Testament ceremonies, attests to this. In the verses for today we read what God says about Hezekiah. “Thus Hezekiah …did what was good and right and faithful. Every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God, he did with all his heart…”
In all of the work of Hezekiah, what is pointed out most poignantly is that he did it “with all of his heart.” It is not what we “DO” that determines whether our work is sacred or secular; it is “WHY” we do it. Paul urges us today to be like Hezekiah. In Colossians 3:23 he says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men….It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Every work we do, every service we perform, every deed that occupies our time can be what “is good and right and faithful” if we do it all because we’re doing it for the Lord! And if we do it with all our hearts!
Chuck
“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:18(NLT)