Turning Back to God

Readings:
II Chronicles 30
Romans 2:1-16

Focus:
II Chronicles 30:9b: "The Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and he will not turn away from you if you turn back to him."
Romans 2:4: "Or do you despise his wealth of kindness and tolerance and patience, failing to see that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"

When King Hezekiah of Judah comes into power, he restores the worship of God that had been neglected in Jerusalem, and he plans a great celebration of the Passover. For that purpose, he sends an invitation throughout both the kingdom of Judah and the kingdom of Israel, inviting everyone to come to Jerusalem.

In many, perhaps most, of the places his messengers go, they are treated with scorn and ridicule. How like today, when the message of Christianity is less and less welcome in most parts of the world! Yet Hezekiah tells all that no matter how far people have turned away from God, God will take them back. God is that gracious and compassionate. He will take any of us, if we turn to him.

God's goal is then for us to have changed lives. When we turn to him, we will repent of our wrongdoing, and work to live differently. This is good for us, good for everyone that we know, good for the planet. I can't think of anything I'd rather do.