Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read
slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God,
thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for
you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Proverbs 29:16
Proverbs 29:16
Understanding to grow in
What Ahaz undid in terms of the temple, Hezekiah restored, displaying the concern for worship necessary if the people were to love and obey God, and so have their kingdom endure. The temple was to be reconsecrated because of its defilement by the unfaithfulness of previous generations. For this reason, Hezekiah said God’s anger had fallen on Judah and Jerusalem, causing them to be conquered and led into captivity (28v5-8, 17-18). We’re told what was done was “according to the word of the LORD” which may refer to previous instructions (1 Chr 28v11-19), the law (Deut 12v2-4), or even some prophetic command. One considers Jesus cleansing the temple by driving out all that would make it unclean (Jn 2v12-22). However, full cleansing would come only by destroying the temple of stone and building a new one in him, comprised of spiritual stones he had made atonement for by his own death (Eph 2v21-22). And as those who reign in Christ, there is encouragement for us to cleanse the temple of the church, by reforming its activity according to God’s word. Hezekiah followed all this by immediately (the next morning) beginning worship with an act of dedication that included offerings of devotion and atonement, and songs sung as the “whole assembly” bowed in worship. And so the people "rejoiced" as we all should in seeing churches renewed into a greater faithfulness, and God worshipped and pleased. As you read note Hezekiah's qualities.Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.