“Bring God Back To Our Land II!”

“Bring God Back To Our Land II!”(II Chron.29:25-30).
Our folk wisdom says, “the kid of a goat jumps and lands where its mother landed.” It is the same as saying that.”The tiger does not give birth to a bushbaby.” The English will say, “the apple does not fall far away from the tree,” or, “like father, like son!”
On the contrary, the story of King Hezekiah of Judah defies all the above. When Ahaz, Hezekiah’s father became king of Judah, he introduced all kinds of pagan religious practices that dishonoured YAHWEH. But when his son Hezekiah took over from him, he brought in religious reforms that tallied with what King David had put in place.
Today’s pericope details the restoration of temple worship within the broader context of his many well-intentioned reforms.
As soon as Hezekiah became king, he assembled the priest and Levites, and he told the Levites to consecrate themselves to the LORD and consecrate the temple. He was bold to say their fathers were unfaithful and did evil in the eyes of the LORD.
King Hezekiah was determined to bring God back to Judah! Hezekiah reintroduced the old time religion where “the Levites played instruments while the priests accompanied them with trumpets,” while “the entire assembly, including king Hezekiah and his officials, worshipped and bowed their heads and worshipped” as the sacrifice was being offered. The king also “ordered the Levites to praise the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshipped.”
In fact, King Hezekiah made the old time religion new again.
So my friend, we are not out of our minds when we raise the hue and cry that we should bring God back to our land! It’s a call for renewal by intentionally moving away from the institutionalised paganism of our predecessors and making new the old-time religion of David! Let songs of praises fill the air accompanied by prayer to complement our sacrifices! Hallelujah!
Prayer: LORD, through your Holy Spirit, make me an instrument of renewal and restoration of your old-time religion. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
07/05/2026.