Here I Come, Ready or Not

In the Old Testament, the kings of Judah alternated irregularly between good and

bad. King Hezekiah succeeded his father Ahaz who not only led the people astray

in idol worship, but also cut up the utensils of the house of the Lord and closed its

doors. Hezekiah turned to God, ordered the temple to be cleaned and restored,

and did away with idol worship. After the temple was readied, he was in a hurry

to keep the offerings and feasts of the Lord. He and the people brought many

offerings even before the priests had prepared themselves. Second Chronicles 29

relates, “But the priests were too few so that they were unable to skin all the

burnt offerings; therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work

was finished and the other priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites

were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests.” 29:34. This

was not precisely in accordance with the law of God.

In chapter 30 we see that the nation was not ready to celebrate the Passover at

the appointed time, because the priests had not purified themselves and the

people had not gathered at Jerusalem. Nevertheless, “the king and his princes and

all the assembly in Jerusalem had decided to celebrate the Passover in the second

month.” This was not in accordance with the law of God.

Hezekiah sent orders for everyone to come to Jerusalem for the Passover; many

scoffed at his messengers, but many came, not consecrated or purified. The

Levites slaughtered the lambs for crowds of people who came unprepared. This

was not in accordance with the law of God. “A multitude of the people… had not

purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written.”

God had set many very specific rules for offerings and celebrations, especially

Passover. At the command of the king, whose heart was right with God, the

priests and the people broke the rules en masse.

And what happened? “Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, ‘May the good Lord

pardon everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers,

though not according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.’ So the Lord heard

Hezekiah and healed the people.” In their hurry to honor God as best they could,

they broke the rules right and left. And God honored their hearts. He was looking

for heart followers rather than rule followers.

Are you struggling with coming to God with some facet of your life, whether for

salvation or surrender or service? Or repentance or reform? Do you feel this is not

the right time? Hezekiah chose the “wrong” time to obey the Lord. And God

accepted his obedience.

You’re not in the right place? God accepts us where we are. You’re not ready, not

good enough, not purified? Come anyway. God’s people weren’t “ready” to honor

him properly, but He accepted their efforts. Any time and any situation is a good

time to turn to God, to believe Him, to make an effort to honor Him. Or, if nothing

else, to cry out to Him.

Lynda Shenefield