TEMPLE WORSHIP RESTORED: PEOPLE PRAISE THE LORD FOR PROVIDING

May 20, 2022

Hezekiah said to the crowd, “Now that you are once again acceptable to the LORD, bring sacrifices and offerings to give him thanks” . . . Furthermore, the burnt offerings were abundant, along with the fat of the peace offerings and the drink offerings for the burnt offerings. So the service of the house of the LORD was established. Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoicedH8055 at what God had prepared for the people, because everything had been accomplished so quickly.

2 Chronicles 29:31, 35-36

Hezekiah had made sure the temple was spic and span, ceremonially cleansed and refurbished. The Levites accomplished this massive makeover in only sixteen days. Now that the place was once again prepared for praising and worshiping the Lord, Hezekiah told the people to bring sacrifices to thank the Lord. God once again provided everything that was needed to properly worship Him. The people were able to bring 70 bulls, 100 rams, and 200 lambs as sacrifices to please the Lord. Then they brought an additional 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep to sacrifice in asking the Lord to bless them. Not all the priests were ceremonially prepared to offer sacrifices, but the Levites had consecrated themselves and pitched in to skin all those beasts. King Hezekiah had successfully brought back the temple worship his father had neglected. The people celebrated joyously because God had enabled everything to be prepared in such a short time and blessed them with an abundance of animals to offer for sacrifice.

Notice that the people were not patting themselves on the back for bringing all the animals for sacrifice. The Levites and priests were not complimenting themselves on the speedy cleansing of the Temple. King Hezekiah was not strutting about taking credit for reestablishing worship in the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. No, they were rejoicing in all that God had done through them, but the glory and credit was given to the Lord. Are we remembering that first principle of stewardship? Everything we “own” really belongs to the Lord who allows us to use it. May it bring us joy to be able to return to Him a portion of the blessings He has given us. We rejoice, not in our own ability to bring a large offering, but in God’s ability to lead us in using what He has provided to further His kingdom on earth. As you put your offering in the plate or give it online, rejoice that the Lord is allowing you to be a part of His work here on the Earth while storing up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:20).

Father, we rejoice because You are allowing us to be Your vessels to overflow with blessings for others. Thank You for providing more than enough for us to worship You by giving back a portion of what You have given us.