Read 2 Chronicles 31 and Revelation 19.
This devotional is about 2 Chronicles 31.
Where does prosperity come from? How do people live and act in a way that provides them with good things in life? What sets the successful apart from those who fail or, at least. live a life that is mediocre?
Over the past two days, we have been reading the story of Hezekiah, one of Judah’s greatest and godliest kings. Here in 2 Chronicles 31, the story of Hezekiah continued and we read about how God blessed his life because of his love for God and his leadership spiritually for Judah.
The chapter began by telling us the result of the Hezekiah’s leadership in chapters 29-30, which was that people here in chapter 31 began to root out idolatry from their lives, as we read in verse 1.
Then Hezekiah organized God’s priests and they began the regular worship of giving thanks, singing praise, and offering the sacrifices God’s law required (v. 2). Hezekiah jump started the return of sacrifices when he gave from his personal wealth to see the ministry of burnt offerings begin again. Then, in verses 3-8, Hezekiah commanded the people to pay up, according to what the law of Moses required so that the temple ministry would be well supplied, the sacrifices would be going at all times, and the priests would be provided for financially. God’s people responded well to Hezekiah’s orders, according to verses 5-7, so well that the priest had to start piling the supplies up and, eventually, put into storage in the temple (vv. 8-11). Verses 12-19 described how all that God’s people gave to the temple was managed and distributed to the priests. Then, in verses 20-21, the writer of 2 Chronicles summed up Hezekiah’s life and leadership to this point. Here is what that summary said, again, in 2 Chronicles 31:30-21: “This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. 21 In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.”
This is the formula for success in Hezekiah’s life:
- He sought God (v. 21a-b) by “doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God (v. 20).
- He worked wholeheartedly (v. 21c).
- He prospered (v. 21d) as a result of seeking God and working wholeheartedly.
The Bible does not promise success and prosperity to everyone. There are many godly men in the Bible and outside of it who sought God and worked wholeheartedly but died young or suffered or were even killed for their faith. So, “the Hezekiah success formula” is not an absolute guarantee for everyone. These verses tell us how and why Hezekiah succeeded, not that everyone who does these things will succeed.
However, scripture does tell us that, generally, God blesses those who seek him, do what is right, and work hard at their lives.
- Psalm 1 tells us that those who are blessed delight in the Lord and in his law and, as a result, “…whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:3).
- Proverbs 16:20: “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.”
- Proverbs 21:21: “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.”
These are just a few of many passages in scripture that talk about how God blesses those who trust him and obey his word.
In this life, sometimes the wicked prosper, too, and sometimes the godly suffer, as I have already mentioned. But, generally, a good life is the result of faith in God and obedience to his word. And, scripture does promise that those who trust and obey the Lord in this life will be rewarded by the Lord in eternity while those who reject the Lord will be punished.
So, let me encourage you to follow the same path that Hezekiah followed, at least at the beginning of his life. Seek the Lord. Make knowing and worshipping him a priority and regular practice in your life. Then, like Hezekiah, “work wholeheartedly” giving your best energy and attention to your service for God, your family, and your vocation in this world. Then, trust the Lord and watch him prosper you–possibly in this life, but certainly in eternity.