(2Ch 31:20 KJVR) And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
(2Ch 31:21 KJVR) And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
Success God’s Way
Today we are going to talk about God’s plan of success in our lives and our country. We will talk about Hezekiah and how he was pleasing to God and how God made him and his nation successful. French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said, "I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests--and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning--and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution--and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!"
Alexis de Tocqueville.
Wow. That is a powerful illustration. If America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. I won’t to take that to the proper level. If America ever turn’s it’s back on God, America will cease to be great. Our nation is under attack right now and it is not just by terrorists. It is under attack by satan and his attempt to rid God from this country. Today we will see how Hezekiah handled this in his nation. Turn with me in your Bibles to 2 Chronicles 31:20-21.
(1.) Standard for others in the community
Notice what it says here about Hezekiah, thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah. Hezekiah set a standard for his community. He came in and did the things that were pleasing to God regardless to what anyone else thought. He followed the Lord and obeyed Him. Hezekiah’s father was Ahaz, one of the worst king’s listed in the Bible. Ahaz made images of Baal, offered infant sacrifices and copied a pagan altar at Damascus. He promoted Molech, with its pagan rites of human sacrifices. As you can see Hezekiah’s father was horrid. Hezekiah came in and turned his country to God. He tore down the pagan altars reinstated the priests and the laws and commands of God. What is happening in our country today? God is banned from public schools. God is being pushed out of our public courts. God is rapidly being pushed out of our country. Is Ahaz back as king? We need to stand as Hezekiah stood. We need to tear down the altars that are being built up over God. We need to step up and stop child sacrifices. We need to proclaim God in this great nation of ours that was founded on God’s word and principles. We have to get out of our pews and set the standard in our communities and our nation. That takes us getting involved in the affairs of our country. Set the standard, our forefathers did. Jesus told us in Matt 5:13 - 16, Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Jesus tells us to let our lights shine before men so we can bring glory to our heavenly Father. Hezekiah was light and he set the standard for others in his community. We have to set standard in our communities. We are light in a dark world. Jesus expects us to make a stand for Him at all times. We have to set the standard for our communities or someone else will.
(2.) Satisfying before the Lord
Notice what it says next about Hezekiah, he did that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. Tell me God didn’t have a smile on His face when He looked down at Hezekiah. Hezekiah did that which was pleasing to the Lord. Notice how it follows after he set the standard for his nation. He made a stand for God and thus stood for everything that was good and right and truth. God is these characteristics. He did these things before God and was not concerned what others thought. As Christians we have to be bold and courageous. Satan is an adversary that we can’t take lightly and that we can’t defeat satan without God. In order to be satisfying to God we need to stand and fight. Hezekiah did and we need to follow his example. When we stand for God we will bring that satisfying smile to the Lord’s face.
(Mat 5:19 KJVR) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. WOW, Whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. We need to be good and right and truth before the Lord our God. To do this we have to be a light to our community. When we do what the Lord commands we will be satisfying before the Lord.
(3.) Servant to His church
Notice the next phrase, Hezekiah in every work he began in the service of the house of God. Hezekiah didn’t go out and immediately change his country. He started in his church with himself. Every work we start must begin in our hearts with God. That starts with our attitudes at church. How can we expect to make a difference in our communities if our hearts aren’t right in our worship services to God? It all starts in the service of the house of our God. Hezekiah knew what filled him up and gave him the strength and encouragement to fight the good fight and it began in the service of the house of God. We cannot do the right things if our hearts aren’t right with our God. Get involved in church; this is another way of satisfying our Lord and bringing a smile to His face. There is so much work to be done in our church homes. If your church home does not reflect true Christianity for goodness sake don’t try to export it to the rest of the community. Our service to God begins in the service of the house of God. Hezekiah knew this and he knew to truly be effective in his community he had to be above all a servant to his church.
(4.) Steadfast to God’s laws and commandment’s
Notice the next thing it says, and in the law and in the commandments. Hezekiah knew what would shape his country, obeying the laws and commandments of God. He knew the silliest thing that could ever happen to his country was to turn its back on God. His father Ahaz did it and he wasn’t about to repeat the same mistakes his father made. Hezekiah obeyed God’s word and was satisfying to God. God’s laws are good and right and truth. I’m so sickened over our country and its disregard for God’s laws. We have begun the movement to push the 10 commandments out of our courthouses. The very commandments that helped found our justice system and the sad thing about it is the majority of Americans are against this. We have a select number of judges making decisions for the people, but are disregarding people and it needs to stop. — Alexis de Tocqueville. "The President, who exercises a limited power, may err without causing great mischief.... Congress may decide amiss without destroying the Union, because the electoral body in which the Congress originates may cause it to retract its decision.... But if the Supreme Court is ever composed of imprudent or bad men, the Union may be plunged into anarchy or civil war." Our judges today are walking a fine line. We need to be prepared to defend God’s laws.
We need to be steadfast to God’s laws and commandments, our founding fathers were. Is the constitution just a document? I don’t think so. I believe God breathed into our constitution. We had normal men come together in prayer for this great nation of ours. Yes I said the bathed our country in prayer. The ACLU has no clue about the foundation of this great country of ours. The constitution was God installing the greatest country on the face of this planet and using that country to proclaim is majesty and power. We better not ever turn our back on God our He will turn His back on us. We had better remain steadfast to God’s laws and commandments.
(Lev 26:3 KJVR) If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;
(Lev 26:4 KJVR) Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
(Lev 26:5 KJVR) And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.
Notice what God says what will happen if His people obey Him.
(Lev 26:6 KJVR) And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
(Lev 26:7 KJVR) And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
(Lev 26:8 KJVR) And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.
(Lev 26:9 KJVR) For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.
(Lev 26:10 KJVR) And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new.
(Lev 26:11 KJVR) And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.
(Lev 26:12 KJVR) And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.
Notice a couple of verses, if His people disobey.
Leviticus 26:14-17 (NLT) actually 14-39
"However, if you do not listen to me or obey my commands, [15] and if you break my covenant by rejecting my laws and treating my regulations with contempt, [16] I will punish you. You will suffer from sudden terrors, with wasting diseases, and with burning fevers, causing your eyes to fail and your life to ebb away. You will plant your crops in vain because your enemies will eat them. [17] I will turn against you, and you will be defeated by all your enemies. They will rule over you, and you will run even when no one is chasing you!
Notice that God says 10 verses about obedience and gives 26 verses about disobedience. God is trying to warn us about disobedience. Just like a Father who tells a child to repeatedly be careful in a dangerous situation. God knows the hurt that can be caused by disobedience and He is trying to protect us. The verses are clear countless blessings if as a country we obey God’s laws and commandments and numerous punishments if we disobey God as a nation. We have to as a nation be steadfast to God’s laws and commandments. To truly love God 1 John 5:2 says,(1Jo 5:2 KJVR) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. We know we are children of God when we love God and obey His commandments. Children of God, God is our Father and as His children He will always protect us. But to show our love and devotion to Him we need to obey His commandments. We need to defend the laws and commandments that he gave us to follow. We need to honor these same laws that our founding fathers were willing to die for, when establishing this country. In God and His laws we must always trust. We have to be steadfast to God’s laws and commandments.
(5.) Seek God at all times
Look at the next phrase, to seek his God. He did all the things aforementioned to seek his God. He wanted God’s blessing on his life constantly. So he sought after God in all he did. When we come to church are we seeking God? When we are at home are we seeking God? When we go to work are we seeking God? We need to follow the example of Hezekiah and seek God at all times.
(Mat 6:33 KJVR) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Jesus tells us above all to seek God first and when we do all our needs will be met. Our number one priority is seeking God’s direction in our lives. We are to strive to live in His holy righteousness. Seek God first at all times.
(Gal 1:10 KJVR) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Do we seek God’s approval or man’s? If you try to please man as your life’s focus you cannot be a servant of Christ. Wow that is strong language. For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. We cannot seek man’s approval. We have to seek God’s will at all times.
(Heb 11:6 KJVR) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. We have to above all put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Trust Him for who he is. Seek Him because He and only He knows all the answers. Rely on Him through your faith and trust. Notice the end of this verse He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. God rewards us when we seek him with passion and purpose. Diligently seek Him. Make that your whole focus for life, to diligently seek Him. Diligently seek Him and you will be rewarded for your obedience.
(6.) Sincere in his commitment to God
Notice one of the key phrases in this passage; he did it with all his heart. He didn’t go out halfheartedly into the world trying to do God’s will. He didn’t go to church with an attitude of what can you do for me next. He didn’t only follow the laws of God that he preferred. He didn’t occasionally read his word and pray to God. No read it carefully, he did it with all his heart. Don’t miss out on this one. You can do a lot of good things in the community and at church but if your heart is not in the right place it means nothing. Hezekiah did that which was good, right and truth in his country, at his church, in God’s laws, in seeking God’s face and he did all this with all his heart. He was sincere in his commitment to God. He didn’t play being a Christian, he lived it.
Committed Christian. One day at this farm the animals were so pleased with their master that they decided to throw a breakfast together for him to show their gratitude, the chicken says "Well, I will provide the eggs and help make part of the meal!" Then the cow says "I will provide the milk for everyone to drink!" The horse says "Well, the farmer can ride me to the grocery store and back to get whatever other materials he needs!" After talking amongst themselves for a while they all felt pretty good because they had all contributed to making the meal. Then they said “and the pig can bring the bacon.” Then, the pig walks up and hears what they are talking about and just sort of looks at them. The pig says "You all should be happy with the role you play in making breakfast.” The pig goes on to say “ BUT You all are just involved in making the breakfast. I’m the one who is going to have to be totally committed." So many times we as Christians we get involved in Christianity but we are not committed. We will dabble in our service to Christ but we don’t diligently dive in like our Lord commands us. Hezekiah was the pig in that illustration. He was going to give his life to God, he was totally committed. To be totally committed to God’s work you have to do it with all of your heart. It takes commitment. Serve God with all your heart.
(Mar 12:33 KJVR) And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Do you want to really please God? Many times we think it is through our tithes and offerings and sacrifices. God is pleased when we do these things, but notice more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Love God with all your heart. Love God with all your soul. That is strong language, to truly please God, love Him with all your soul love Him with all of your heart. Commit your heart to Him in undying devotion.
(Jer 29:11 KJVR) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
(Jer 29:12 KJVR) Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
(Jer 29:13 KJVR) And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. God only wants what’s best for us. He is our Heavenly dad. God tells us that we will find Him when we pray and seek Him with all of your heart. Notice the common denominator in all of these verses. With all of your heart. Not with some of your heart but with all of your heart. He doesn’t want you involved in His work; He wants you committed to His work. Do these things with all of your heart.
(7.) Succeeded because of his commitment to God
Notice the final phrase, and prospered. Hezekiah was committed to God in everything He did. He did it with all his heart. Being a Christian is very difficult, especially in our society today. But the Bible tells us that nothing is impossible with God. (Luk 1:37 KJVR) For with God nothing shall be impossible. We have a powerful Father that will give us all the resources we need to succeed for Him. Understand though that it’s going to be tough. But the God and the Bible are there for you, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me(Phi 4:13 KJVR) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. There is nothing we can’t accomplish when we follow God’s blueprint for success. When we are at the center of Christ’s will we will be successful, He will see to that through His strength. Hezekiah didn’t rely on his own strength. He turned to the one whom nothing is impossible. Hezekiah succeeded because of his commitment to God. He was light in a dark country, He did that which was pleasing to the Lord, He served in his church, He was steadfast in his commitment to god’s laws, He was always seeking God’s will, he did all of these things with all of his heart and what is the equal sign to this equation. He prospered. He succeeded because of his commitment to God. We can learn a lot from Hezekiah and his example of how to succeed God’s way.
INVITATION
Have you given all of your heart to God? Do you seek His will in your life first and foremost or is He sometimes an afterthought. God tells us to truly be successful in His kingdom that we have to give Him our hearts. If you are not a Christian you cannot ever prosper without Jesus Christ. You can follow all these other principles we talked about but if you leave out the commitment of your heart you work in vain. Stop wandering in circles, give your heart to God. Jesus Christ died on the cross to set you free. He did all the work all you have to do is accept His free gift. Maybe today you are a Christian who has been involved with Christ but not committed to Him. That is the difference between a boyfriend, girlfriend and a spouse. Christ is our bride. Don’t be involved with Him. Commit your life to Him. Get back in fellowship with Him. Start following Him again with all of your heart. Please come.
