Unified Purpose

In the United States, church usually starts at a designated time. I experienced a different scenario while ministering in Trujillo, Peru. People trickled in as that time came and went, but the service had yet to begin. Before I knew it, the pastor gathered our team outside the church. He believed there weren’t enough people for the service to begin so, we went from door to door inviting the community to join us. Can you imagine doing that in the United States? It’s very similar to what King Hezekiah did in 2 Chronicles 29-31. 

King Hezekiah was determined to do what was right in the Lord’s sight. He wanted to restore the Temple of the Lord that was destroyed and defiled by his predecessors, so the people of Israel could return to the Lord and celebrate Passover. He sent runners throughout Israel and Judah inviting the people to return to the Lord and join him for a Passover celebration. 

The runners went from town to town throughout Ephraim and Manasseh and as far as the territory of Zebulun. But most of the people just laughed at the runners and made fun of them. However, some people from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 30:10-11 NLT)

Amazingly, these runners did not let insults deter them from inviting people to return to the Lord and worship Him. They were determined to do all they could to bring people back to God. They desired to see others return to Him more than they cared about how they were treated. 

What an incredible testimony of God’s faithfulness! God took people who weren’t qualified by the standards of that time and equipped them with the strength to go and invite people to return to Him. He gave them determination and boldness so that any resistance they experienced did not affect them or the calling they were invited to fulfill. Would you do as the runners did?

The Lord had His hand on the people of Judah and He unified them. When everyone had gathered, they worked as one to remove the pagan altars not only from the Temple but also from Jerusalem (see 2 Chronicles 30:12-14).

I believe God can unify us under one purpose today, just as He did with the people of Judah during King Hezekiah’s reign. God is merciful and He is just. Nothing is impossible for Him. He doesn’t want a single person to perish, but for every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (see 2 Peter 3:9). 

It would be incredible to see God’s people running through the streets sharing His love and inviting people into a relationship with the King of kings. I don’t know about you, but I want to see people come to know the real Jesus. I want to see lives restored and what was once broken made whole. I want to see others live for Him and walk in victory and the fullness of what God has for them. Friends, we have an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ. We can be the light in the darkness and allow the light of the Lord to shine through us and bring hope to the hopeless. Will you pray with me?

Father God, I want to run this race for You with endurance. Lord, help me to fix my eyes on You and run with great determination, letting Your light and love shine through me in all I say and do. Let others around me see You in my life and give them the desire to know You more. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.