Today’s Reading, 2 Chronicles 28-31
Focal Scripture: 2 Chronicles 29:5 “He said to them, “Hear me, Levites. Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Remove everything impure from the holy place.”
How passionate are you about getting rid of things in your life that are impure? I know some people who are clean freaks and will do anything to make sure their homes are always spotless. They clean several times a week, make the bed and never have dishes in the sink. Other people are passionate about their vehicles and are always washing or vacuuming to keep it looking its best. The drive behind this is to have a clean environment and not have any impurities. We can debate later how healthy this is or is not in the life of a person.
In today’s reading we see the King bringing Israel back to a place of worship. The people have been living in sin and the leaders were poor examples. Even the religious leaders were acting and behaving in ways that are contrary to scripture. However, the king, in his good leadership commands everyone to consecrate themselves and consecrate the temple. He wants them to get rid of anything that is impure from the temple and their lives. His desire is for them to root it out and don’t let it take hold of then as a person or in their corporate worship practices.
As passionate as we can be about cleanliness in our homes, vehicles or even our jobs, does that passion carry over to our spiritual life. I am convinced after many conversations with people that we will do whatever it takes to be successful personally and finically. However, will we take in the same mindset to me pure in our spiritual lives as we grow in the Lord on a daily basis.
Our challenge that we have as believers is to examine our lives and hearts and get rid of anything that can be considered impure. What we watch, listen to, associate with and even mediate on daily can be impure. Also, it doesn’t necessarily have to be negative as just mentioned. Maybe we are over zealous about our spouse or our children. It is very possible that we have allowed these good things to become Gods in our lives and therefore impure.
Worse yet maybe you’re a leader and you forgot that it’s not about you, it’s about serving the Lord daily. I want to make clear that the purpose of today’s reading is to remind ourselves to be passionate about getting rid of sin and impurities in our lives. To examine our hearts and our motives with fresh eyes and search out diligently anything that makes us unholy before the Lord.
This practice must be observed and taught to ourselves and others. In the midst of teaching this to others we have to make sure we do not get a holier than thou attitude. It is easy to forget the struggles and impurities in our own lives and if we are not careful what should be a source of strength can end up being our biggest weakness.
So today examine every fiber of your soul and consecrate yourself to the Lord. You will be better for it and you will begin to see things more clearly when sin is being cast aside.
So this should be our prayer today, “Lord give us the tenacity to be passionate about our walk with you on a daily basis. Help us see any impurities that bring disgrace to your name and make us look like everyone else.”
Tomorrow, I plan on reading 2 Chronicles 32-34
