Restoring and Rebuilding – Week Three

There are days I need encouragement – days when I grow tired and weary, lose focus, and want to give up (or at least take a nice long break). The day I am writing this blog is one of those days. But instead of shutting off the computer and walking away, I want to share some encouragement with you.

Why? Because each day is a day we can be encouraged in God. Because joy is a choice. And because God multiplies. When we give, we receive. What we reap, we sow.

Together we have been looking at the life of King Hezekiah. I find myself drawn to this man’s story of bravery and leadership. He changed a generation. He pleased God. “Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered.” (2 Chronicles 31:21 NASB)

But you know something I noticed about Hezekiah? He didn’t accomplish everything overnight. He took one step, then another, then another. While he never achieved perfection, he also never stopped growing.

Early in his reign, Hezekiah reopened the temple, which involved deep cleaning – physically and spiritually. Then, he restored the Passover celebration. For the first time in generations, the people gathered together in worship, rediscovering God’s joy.

After this powerful experience of God’s presence, one would think Hezekiah could rest and appreciate the renewal his kingdom had undergone. But it seems that was not the case. Instead, there was more work to be done. As the people returned from the Passover celebration, the hard job of cleansing continued. Altars dedicated to false gods were torn down, high places were destroyed.

God’s work is not static. It doesn’t happen in a moment. Following God is built over a lifetime of listening and growing, adjusting and changing, learning, and maturing. I am a work in progress. And so are you.

Don’t stop engaging in the process of growth. Walking with God is about the next step, then the next step, and then the next step after that.

Paul encouraged the believers in Philippi with these words, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6) In the days when we can’t see what God is doing, He is still working. When we run out of energy, God doesn’t need a break.

If you keep reading Hezekiah’s story, you will notice a pattern emerging. After a time of hard work and cleansing, God reveals His favor. Once the altars and high places were removed, Hezekiah led the people to bring their tithes to God – ten percent of everything received – income, animals, and produce.

With extraordinary commitment, the people brought these offerings. Over time, not only were the temple workers taken care of, but enormous quantities were piled high in heaps outside of God’s house. Instead of having less, God’s people experienced abundance. As they worshiped, removed falsehood, and gave generously – God multiplied.

Inside one of the cabinets in my home, you will find a sticky note with these words, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Galatians 6:9) In the giving, we can grow weary. In the in-between, we can miss the big picture.

We need to remember: what we sow, we will reap.

Most times, it takes a while to see the harvest. If you start with an overgrown field, the clearing and weeding is hard work. After planting the seeds, you have to wait – often, longer than one would like. But eventually, the harvest will come.

James says it this way, “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” (James 5:7-8)

In God’s kingdom, the one who plants is the one who receives the fruit of the harvest.

Don’t give up. Be strong. Be courageous. Keep doing the hard work.

God is near. He sees. He knows. And He is working.