Restoring and Rebuilding – Week Two

Picture dropping a stick into a river. Can you see it moving downstream with the current? Even in relatively calm bodies of water, there is a force that pulls at objects, setting their direction. Left to natural progression, drift will always occur.

As a stick will be carried away by the current unless another force intervenes, without intentionality and purpose, so will our lives. The author of Hebrews reminds us, “We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.” (Hebrews 2:1 NASB) Our natural tendency is to move toward complacency, lack of order, and spiritual apathy.

We need reminders – signposts that show us what is essential and keep us on track. Knowing our humanity, God set up many of those for us. The ancient stories and history of the people of Israel point us to the kingdom of God and help us learn how to follow Him.

The first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch, lay out God’s law and the religious practices for the nation of Israel. Included are holidays and feasts, sacrifices, cleansing rituals, and regulations for temple worship. At first glance (and even second glance), this part of the Bible can seem overwhelming and confusing. But upon a more in-depth read and careful observation, one will discover that each practice is rich with meaning and designed to help God’s people know Him more.

Unfortunately, God’s people got confused – celebrations become ritual, and overtime, the practices lost their meaning. For some, the rituals became the focus of attention, while others abandoned religious practices altogether.

Last week, we began looking at King Hezekiah. At the time of his reign, the people of Israel had splintered into two nations and drifted far from God. Despite the spiritual climate around him, Hezekiah boldly followed God and helped the people turn back to worship Him.

After the hard work of cleaning up and clearing out the temple, Hezekiah reinstated a key religious holiday – the Passover. The book of 2 Chronicles tells us that Hezekiah sent out invitations, not just to his subjects of the nation of Judah but to all the people of Israel – inviting them to journey to Jerusalem, celebrate Passover, and to return to their God.

Many who received Hezekiah’s message mocked him, but others humbled themselves and gathered together. Following God’s original instructions given in the Pentateuch, the people sacrificed, worshiped God, and prayed for His favor. In response, God heard their cry and healed them.

Listen to how the Bible describes that day, “So there was great joy in Jerusalem, because there was nothing like this in Jerusalem since the days of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel.” (2 Chronicles 30:26) For the first time in generations, God’s people experienced the joy of His presence.

King Hezekiah’s kingdom is a picture for us. Just as the celebration of Passover helped turn the hearts of the people of Israel and Judah, we can participate in activities that point us to God.

Have you drifted? Go back to the basics.

What habits do you have in place that focus your attention on God?

What practices can you return to again?

What new disciplines should you implement?