26 April | Teens
«He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them.» 2 Chronicles 29: 3
There are professionals dedicated to restoring things that are important to us: historic buildings, famous statues, or tourist attractions. Without them, many beauties and cultural heritages would be lost. Now, imagine someone with that same passion, but focused on restoring something even more valuable: our worship of God. That was Hezekiah's role, described in 2 Chronicles 29.
After years of forgetfulness and neglect of God's ways by his predecessors, Hezekiah ascended to the throne and decided it was time for a change. He reopened and repaired the Temple of the Lord, which had been closed and left in ruins. More than that, Hezekiah gathered the priests and Levites and encouraged them to purify themselves and return to serve in the Temple, thus restoring the rituals and celebrations that had been abandoned.
King Hezekiah shows us the importance of restoring our worship and relationship with God. He knew that, for the people to prosper, and for the nation to be blessed, the worship of God could not be ignored or set aside. His determination to cleanse and consecrate the Temple was a powerful act of faith and a call to repentance and spiritual renewal for all the people. His story made me wonder: Is there something in our worship that needs to be restored as well?
Take Action
This week, find a toy or an item in the house that is broken and take the time to repair it. It can be something simple, like gluing a piece that has come loose or sewing a tear. As you do so, think about how Hezekiah restored the Temple, and reflect on the importance of caring for and cherishing what we have.