Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 20, 2023: SOAP #4977: 2Chronicles 29-31; James 4

SCRIPTURE:  2Chronicles (NIV) 29:1 Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done.3 In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the LORD and repaired them.

OBSERVATION:  King Ahaz had turned to other Gods to find help.  He reasoned that that since Damascus had defeated Israel they must be more powerful and encouraged the people to make sacrifices to those Gods. (2Chronicles 28:23)  He oblivious to the truth that sin had turned God away from them!    

When Ahaz died, his son Hezekiah became king.  Obviously, Hezekiah had been watching what was happening.  Surely someone had good input into his life.  Someone educated him in the history of Israel and Gods deliverance from Egypt.  In the first month of his reign, he set about to clean and open the temple.  In the second month (2Chronicles 30:13-15) they celebrated the Passover. 

King Hezekiah entered the office of King with an agenda!  He had set priorities to honor God and he wasted no time.  Job #1 was honoring God! 

APPLICATION:  When the opportunity presents itself, I must be quick to do what God has shown me.  Honoring God is my first, no, my only priority.  When Jesus is Lord, He sets the priorities. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, move in my heart to do what pleases my Heavenly Father.  When I am inclined to go contrary to His will, put a hesitancy in my heart.  Use the scriptures to align my thoughts with His.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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