READING: 2 Chronicles 28-29, John 17
“He did what was right in the Lord’s sight just as his ancestor David had done.”
2 Chronicles 29:2
I know that leadership matters. I’ve written and taught about the topic, and I always emphasize the significance of the person who is leading the way in an organization. Seldom have I seen that significance so clearly indicated, though, like it is in today’s Old Testament reading.
King Ahaz was the king of Judah for 16 years, and he “did not do what was right in the Lord’s sight like his ancestor David” (2 Chron. 28:1). He worshiped Baal, burned incense to false gods, and even sacrificed children in the fire. He turned to the false gods of the nations that defeated him, and he closed the Temple. He led Judah to become like the pagan peoples, “imitating the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had dispossessed before the Israelites” (2 Chron. 28:3). It’s no wonder, then, that “the Lord humbled Judah because of King Ahaz of Judah” by bringing the people to military defeat (2 Chron. 28:19).
However, the story changed when Ahaz died and his son, Hezekiah, became the leader. In a profound reversal of his father’s leadership, Hezekiah “did what was right in the Lord’s sight just as his ancestor David had done” (2 Chron. 29:2). He quickly reopened the Temple, repaired it, and restarted Temple worship. In this case, it’s no wonder that “Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over how God had prepared the people, for it had come about suddenly” (2 Chron. 29:36). The picture is decidedly different from 2 Chronicles 28 – because a new leader was on the scene.
I’ve seen dramatic changes in churches, too, when God raises up the next leader for a congregation. Because of focused, intentional church leaders, I’ve seen inwardly-focused churches turn outward, divided groups seek healing, and declining churches begin to grow again. A new leader often brings renewed vision and focus, and he has no desire to do anything less than succeed in the Lord’s work. Indeed, God’s leader can turn a people worshiping false gods back to worshiping the true God again.
ACTION STEPS:
- Pray for those who lead your church each week. Pray they will have a vision to serve God fully, regardless of how long they’ve been there.
- Determine one change you can make today to do what is right in the Lord’s sight.
PRAYER: “God, help me to lead by focusing on You. Renew my passion and love for You today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Chronicles 30-31, John 18:1-18