MORE, MORE, MORE! CRIED THE WORSHIPERS
The whole assembly agreed to observe seven more days, so they observed seven days with joyH8057. For Hezekiah king of Judah contributed a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep for the assembly, and the officials contributed a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep for the assembly, and a great number of priests consecrated themselves. Then the whole assembly of Judah rejoicedH8055 along with the priests and Levites and the whole assembly that had come from Israel, including the foreigners who had come from Israel and those who lived in Judah. So there was great rejoicingH8057 in Jerusalem, for nothing like this had happened there since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel. Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven.
2 Chronicles 30:23-27
King Hezekiah and all the people could not get enough of celebrating. Therefore, Hezekiah and all the officials donated more animals to be sacrificed to the Lord and enjoyed by the people. The worshipers felt the energy and vitality of participation in holy activity that the priests enjoyed on a regular basis. Those who were not professional worshipers wanted to continue soaking in God’s presence. Their joyous celebration resounded throughout Jerusalem for another seven days. The only other time a feast extended to another week prior to this had been when Solomon dedicated the Temple. The priests and Levites blessed the people and “God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven” (2 Chronicles 30:27b). God inhabits, abides, is enthroned upon the praises of His people Israel (Psalm 22:3). The people worshiped, praised, and rejoiced in God, and He honored the Levites prayer to bless them.
Have you ever participated in a worship service that continued past the usual time to end it, and no one was upset or looking at their watches or phones? Have you ever been so caught up in praising God and rejoicing in the way He was moving in people that you didn’t want the service to end? We both have experienced that kind of moving of the Holy Spirit and long to see it again. Are you willing to set aside the time constraints we usually impose on ourselves and just pray, “More, more, more! Holy Spirit, You are welcome to keep moving in people’s hearts. We are filled with joy to see Your handiwork!”?
Father, we rejoice in how You are working in our local congregation. Lord, we long to see revival among Your children. We pray You would bring a Great Awakening to our country, and we would see many people turn to You and trust Jesus as their Savior and Lord.