Judah had just endured one of their most corrupt kings: King Ahaz. King Ahaz’s rule was plagued by idolatry and wickedness. King Ahaz went so far as to sacrifice his own child to the false god Molech. Leading the nation into complete ruin and apostasy, King Ahaz was one of the worst kings Judah had known. God’s judgement was evident against Judah, and rightfully so–God is love, but He is also just. King Ahaz’s behavior had an effect on the entire kingdom; a kingdom takes on the attitude of their king. From the outside looking in, it seemed that Judah had finally reached the point of no return; there was no way the mess King Ahaz had made could be undone–BUT GOD.
After the death of King Ahaz, Hezekiah takes the throne. King Hezekiah’s reign was the complete opposite from King Ahaz’s. To summarize his reign, King Hezekiah “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Chron. 29:2). The people of Judah were obedient to the commands of King Hezekiah, which were in direct accordance with God’s word. From apostasy to true worship in the blink of an eye, at the change of the king. King Hezekiah completely restored proper temple worship of the One True God, destroyed all agents of idolatry in the kingdom, and the people followed his lead. Judah had repented. 2 Chronicles 29:36 says,
“And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly” (italics and bold text added).
Remember the apostate Kingdom of Judah? Remember how bad things were? How idolatrous the nation was? How wicked the king was? How far they had strayed from God? Well, repentance and revival took place “suddenly.” When reading this passage, it struck me how Judah was turned around so suddenly. Some may think that America is at the point of no return, often times I think the same thing, BUT God’s ways and thoughts are much higher than mine. At any point, at the will and word of God, revival could break out. Should that not be our prayer? Though we long for Christ’s return, as we should, that doesn’t excuse us from praying for revival, from continuing to spread the gospel with a sincere passion and urgency. God “is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). As believers, that should be our hearts. So when you feel like our nation is too far gone, remember Judah: how God granted grace and mercy at the hand of a new king, who’s heart was fully devoted to Him. God used one man to turn an entire nation around. It only takes one faithful person. God just needs faith, even if it’s as small as a mustard seed. I pray that either the Lord will come suddenly or allow revival to suddenly break out; either way, King Jesus is on the throne, in control of it all!
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