Dear Friends,

Greetings on this first Sunday in May!  May brings the fullness of new life back to the earth and trees.  Gardens are growing and the crops are beginning to cover the ground in fields.  Planting of seeds and plants is done with the expectation of resurrection and the hope of a harvest.  I trust you are with God’s people today giving extravagant worship to the Lord of Heaven and Earth who abundantly bestows these blessings on all people.

As I reflect on the readings of this past week, I again remember the cleansing of the temple by King Hezekiah as he began his reign.  He sent the priests and Levites to consecrate the temple and themselves for service to the Lord.  This process took 16 days as they removed idolatrous articles and re-consecrated and restored the sacred utensils that King Ahaz had removed in his wickedness.  The idolatrous articles were taken to the Kidron valley and burned there.  This is the place that in Scripture is likened to Hell.

After the cleansing of the temple and the offering of sacrifices by the leadership, there was great joy and rejoicing.  God had enabled them to quickly be restored and His favor was evident among the priests and leaders.  Hezekiah then invited all Israel and Judah to come to Jerusalem for the Passover.  Hezekiah encouraged the people to return to the Lord and that the Lord would restore their children who had been taken captive.  People came from all over and brought offerings and sacrifices.  They celebrated the festival for seven days and then, because they were so blessed, celebrated for seven more days!  (2nd Chronicles 30:21-23)  The priests stood and blessed the people and God answered with more blessing!

After this revival of the Passover by Hezekiah, the people went home, tore down their idols and smashed their sacred stones.  They took actions of faith because of the grace of God.  They brought tithes and offerings and blessed the Lord to such an extent that there was an abundance for God’s house and the storerooms were full!  (2nd Chronicles 31:6-10)

Revival here had two notable effects: removal of idols and consecration to the Lord by the priests and people, and extravagant giving by God through the grace of passover and by the people in response to this grace!  I pray your Sunday was filled with both!

In His Love, Pastor John