How is Your Heart?

…For a multitude of the people…had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “The good Lord pardon everyone who prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah and healed the people.  2 Chronicles 30:13-20 (21st Century King James Version, KJ21)

You will find reading the chapter above gives you more background information about the quoted verses. Suffice to say, majority of Christians today are rules led, steep in rituals, tradition and are performance-driven.

This chapter focuses on a multitude of people who had not cleansed themselves. Either they did not know what was required of them, or they had no time to prepare themselves for the purification commanded before entering the sanctuary and partaking of the Passover. But because of their hearts’ desire to seek and return to their God in true and pure worship, they were permitted, in their uncleanness, to eat the Passover contrary to what was written.

I believe Hezekiah had the confidence that God was so gracious and merciful. And that He would not, on account of the omission of some prescribed ceremony, be angry or wrathful with His people whose hearts were upright before him, so he prayed for them. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise”. Psalms 51:17 (ESV)

The resultant effect of Hezekiah’s intercession was that the Lord hearkened, listened to, and took into consideration Hezekiah’s request. God must have been moved and pleased with Hezekiah’s pious concern for the congregation. In answer to his prayer, God healed and pardoned their sin, accepted them and their worship and sacrifice.

I love this about God. He is sovereign, gracious and ever so merciful. He is not dogmatic or interested in our adherence to rules, sacrifices and rituals but He is more interested in the genuineness of our heart towards Him.  

The problem with an excessive focus on rules, tradition or ritual adherence is that we are constantly and ever trying to measure up. This inevitably leads to frustration, the feeling of not being good enough, burnouts and eventually failure and even backslide in extreme cases.

Jesus was heavily critical and frustrated with the Pharisees because they were notoriously rules led and performance-driven. To the point of becoming a nuisance, a hindrance and a “wet blanket” to those with a genuine heart to seek and worship God.

“He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life”. 2 Corinthians 3:6 (NLT).

Every church leader in whatever capacity should learn from Hezekiah, he saw the genuine heart of the people to seek after God. He chose to intercede and pray for them rather than choose to follow the letter of the law in adherence to rituals.

So, how is your heart before God? Remember, all God is interested in is your heart not adherence to rules and rituals. “…The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6 (GNT)

Stay blessed,

Alex