Success God's Way

(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.