Swhw Bible Reading Plan: AprilSample

Top Takeaway from Joni Stepp:
“…..For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away His face from you, if you return to Him.” -2 Chronicles 30:9b
At this point, Israel's northern kingdom had just been defeated by Assyria. King Hezekiah (one of the most honored kings of Judah due to his devotion to the Lord) invited the remaining Israelites to return to their roots. He called the Israelites to return to their God, to remember what He had done for them.
The keeping of the Passover celebration was to remember how God moved so mightily to release the Israelites from captivity in Egypt. King Hezekiah was calling the people to remember the God they served; this is a call to faith.
This God would be merciful and gracious to them, despite their turning away and serving other gods. God simply wants His people to return to Him.
Wow.
2 Chronicles 30:20 tells us, “And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.”
The word healed here is a Hebrew word meaning to “make whole” or “restore.”
Just simply returning to God and crying out to Him in prayer made God ready to restore the people.
“So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David King of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. Then the priests and the Levites arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayers came to His holy habitation in heaven.” - 2 Chronicles 30:26-27
Return.
Repent.
God wanted their hearts and full devotion. Period
What did they receive in addition to forgiveness and restoration? JOY! God was more than deserving of Israel's faithfulness; the Passover celebration stood as a reminder of that.
Could we learn something about our merciful and gracious God in this story? How quickly He waits with open arms the minute we return and repent. Not only was God ready to forgive, but also to give the joy only He can give.
Let us not waste one minute far from a God so gracious and merciful. Run to Him! He hears you and will not turn His face away from you.
You were a merciful and gracious God then, and You have not changed. You are the same merciful and gracious God today. Let us be quick to return if we find ourselves far from You. Let us be quick to repent and receive Your joy as the Israelites did. We thank You for Your never ending patience and faithfulness. Amen.
Scripture
About this Plan

Using God's Word as the foundation for our conversation, every devotional is written by women in the trenches of faith, family and work; aiming to live for the glory of God and the good of others. There are enough devotions included for a typical 5-day work schedule. We recommend plugging into your local church for the remaining two days of each week.
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We would like to thank she works HIS way for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://sheworksHisway.com
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