And then there was a King

In 2 Chronicles 29-32 you can find the story of a young man named Hezekiah. At the age of 25 (younger than me!) he acquired a kingdom. Finding himself reigning king, I wonder how he felt or what he desired. Being a king surely allows one to impact the lives of people for better or worse. I'm sure in Hezekiah's time there were enough politics, wars, and social pressures to stress a man of his position. I'm certain he dealt with nay sayers and doubters of his decisions. After all, Hezekiah's father was a man who did not seek the will of God and instead led his kingdom into the worship of false gods. The kingdom he inherited was in ruins.

When reading the Old Testament, it is SOOO easy to take the humanity quotient out of the people we read about and just read about their actions and move on. But these people were just like us. There is so much to be learned from their lives. The first act that King Hezekiah performed was to begin to lead the community of the Israelites into worship by reopening the temple of the Lord. As you continue to read the story of Hezekiah, you find a community of people responding to his leadership finding peace and joy in service to their Lord. It's an INCREDIBLE story that I highly recommend to you to read. But when you read it, realize that he was simply a man that God was able to use in mighty ways because his heart was open to the Lord and he followed Him with his whole heart.

"And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.
(2 Chronicles 31:21 ESV)"

I am humbled to read of such a man. I desire to be a woman who follows after God with such a heart.