Our Way of Doing Business with God

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 31 

He did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God.  And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered. (2 Chronicles 31.20-21) 

Devotional Thought: I recently purchased an edger for my driveway.  I tried to put it together without taking time for the instructions.  It didn't work out too well.  It turns out that the manufacturer really did know how to make the thing work! 

In King Hezekiah, we see our way of doing business with God.  He is, after all, the "manufacturer," so he knows how we work.  In doing business with God we are to be like Hezekiah...

• Good.  The word good means to be pleasurable.  Hezekiah wanted to please God.  God had been good to him, so Hezekiah responded with being and doing good according to God's will.

• Right.  The word means straight.  Hezekiah was in alignment with God's moral law.  His was not a sentimental, feel-good religion, but a right relationship with a holy God.

• Faithful.  The word faithful means to be rooted in truth and reliable with God.  Hezekiah refused to be swayed by the opinions of man, but built his life on the foundation of God's truth.

• God-seeking.  Hezekiah did great works for God, but his focus was not on the works themselves, rather on the God he served.  Often we get focused on what we are doing and lose sight of the One we are doing it for.  Hezekiah sought God as his highest priority.

• Whole-hearted.  Ringing in Hezekiah's ears was the great Shema: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6.4-5).

Doing business in this way, the scripture says Hezekiah prospered.  Do you want to prosper?  Then you too must do business with God in God's way! 

Prayer: Father, I sometimes forget that you know me better than I know myself.  Help me to follow the Manufacturer's instructions and live life according to  your will.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 80:1-3

1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us!

3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!