Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Preparation for Praise

Reading: 2 Chron.29:3, 15-20, 25-30

Key Verse: “In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the Lord and repaired them.”

Our next reading occurs long after the Israelites had entered the land. It is even after the time of the Judges and the early kings such as Saul, David and Solomon. King Ahaz had been unfaithful to the Lord by worshipping other gods and closing the doors to the temple which had caused it to deteriorate into a state of decay. But now his son Hezekiah acceded to the throne. Hezekiah rejected the ungodly attitude of his father by loving the Lord and restoring and re-consecrating the temple. In so doing he turned the entire nation back to their unique covenantal relationship with God. The work began “on the first day of the first month” v.17

What was the purpose of this restoration? It was to prepare the temple, God’s house, to fulfil its original purpose as a place of prayer, praise and worship as people met with God. The priests took out all the unclean rubbish and when they had completed their task, the singers and musicians led the people in true praise and worship. A revival broke out with healing, rejoicing and prayer as the people responded to the new presence of God in their midst!

Prayer: Lord I consecrate myself to You. May revival break out with healing, praise and prayer as this nation returns to You