A Pattern of Praise

"In the first month of the first year of his reign, he (Hezekiah) opened the doors of the temple of the Lord and repaired them.”
2 Chronicles 29:3

It is always telling to observe the initial actions of newly-established, or newly-elected, leaders. After all, it is in the preliminary work that the foremost, central concerns of civil authorities are made known. If self-serving ambitions are quickly sought then an empire mindset of sorts will become apparent. But if altruistic pursuits are hastily rendered then a humility-laced administration will likely follow. Executive power, therefore, is a blessing to affected constituents when it is properly employed, but conversely it is a hardship to residents when it is abused and misappropriated. Consequently, it is refreshing when we read of biblical leaders who rightly applied the platform and position of governance. And such was the case with Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 29.        

Per 2 Chronicles 29, Hezekiah took the reigns as king of Judah at the age of twenty-five. Remarkably, King Hezekiah’s first recorded act as Judah’s civil authority was to restore corporate worship of God. And the manner in which Hezekiah went about this noble task was incredibly wise and moving. The king assembled the priests and Levites, reinforcing the importance of their God-given responsibility: to be available for the acceptance and advocacy of the peoples’ offerings to the Lord. Additionally, Hezekiah asked the ministers to make the temple presentable again for worship. When the clergy had completed purifying themselves and the articles of worship Hezekiah immediately gathered the city officials and went to the temple to praise God. The closing verses of 2 Chronicles 29 captures well the sentiment that affected the participants. The service of the temple of the Lord was reestablished and all the people rejoiced at what God had brought about.

From a city, a people, a country in ruins, something beautiful appeared. Recommitted, or newly committed, believers came together to celebrate the Lord in a service that desired to attribute God glory and honor. It is a stirring picture of the Lord’s powerful work for His covenantal followers. In other words, God can take crushed hearts and restore them. He can take discouraged homes and renew them. He can take ruined lives and revive them. If we as His people will but choose to hold fast to the recognition of God’s divinity in all matters then we can sing through storms and praise through pain. Life is wrought with difficulties, but the overarching truth that should continually sustain believers is that the Lord is always in control of each and every matter. 

Returning to Hezekiah’s affirmative actions in 2 Chronicles 29, the great mark of any distinguished spiritual leader is his, or her willingness, to commit his, or heart, on doing the work, and will, of God. Hezekiah’s motivation clearly was to reestablish a relational walk with God at a national scale. It was his primary focus. And it was manifested in at least three ways: Hezekiah’s desire, doctrine, and decree. Regarding Hezekiah’s desire, there was a pervasive yearning to exalt God. Therefore, the king could not help but plan a formal, corporate recommitment to the Lord. Regarding Hezekiah’s doctrine, there was a cognitive recognition that God’s Word is the abiding guidance to live by, which is what compelled the king to awaken a dormant culture to God’s authority and activity. Hezekiah believed in the Lord’s truth, and sought to direct others to its glorious illuminating qualities. Regarding Hezekiah’s decree, the king not only encouraged formal worship of God, he expected it. And so Hezekiah diligently, and rightly, utilized the influence of his high office to stir the people to return to the praise of the One true God.      

Obviously, Hezekiah was not consumed with national defense, but rather national devotion to God. He was not absorbed in political alliances, but rather personal adoration of God. He did not beef up his military troops or erect a new wall around the capital. Instead, he set out to reignite inactive worship in Judah. There was a personal pattern of praise present in King Hezekiah’s life, and he was determined to positively affect his country through his upright example. May this account kindle the understanding that we all have a sphere of spiritual impact. How we choose to apply such opportunities reveals so much about the state of our heart. Whether it be confined to our immediate families, or to a community at large, we, as God’s followers, have prospects daily to do kingdom work and represent the Lord to the world. Hezekiah was unashamed to expose his pattern of praise. Neither should we.