PREPARATION OF OUR HEARTS
2 Chronicles 30:18-20
Most of the people from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not cleansed themselves, but they ate the Passover contrary to what was written.
But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord provide atonement for everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, even though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” And the Lord listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.
Encouraging Words
The Jewish people in the day of Hezekiah were governed by many strict Jewish laws. After years of exile and separation from their land and customs they are finally back home and getting ready to celebrate their premier religious holiday, Passover. From a religious perspective they had not yet prepared properly for this austere celebration. Hezekiah, their leader and a godly man, recognized this and prayed that God would overlook this issue and recognize that their preparation was in their hearts. He prefigured Jesus who asked that our sins be forgiven for we knew not what we were (are) doing. The rubrics are important for they teach and discipline us but the state of our hearts is what God cares about. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!
Verse of the Day 
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