True Prosperity

2 Chron. 31:21 says, "And in every work that he (Hezekiah) began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered."  Hezekiah was king in Jerusalem who re-instituted proper temple worship in Judah.  He succeeded Ahaz, who was a monster of iniquity.  Ahaz filled the temple with rubbish, sacrificed his own children, set up altars to false gods inside the temple and in every corner of Jerusalem, and literally boarded up the entrance of the temple so no one could worship the One True God.  Even though Israel was not under Hezekiah's rule, when the Passover drew near he sent runners throughout the territories so they might come to Jerusalem for the feast.  Since the days of Solomon there had been not been so much rejoicing in the land.

For King Hezekiah, there was no halfway in serving God: "...he did it with all his heart.  So he prospered."  There is a correlation between these statements, a principle to be applied to our lives.  When we think of prosperity, we tend to think financial wealth, success, or the obtainment of our goals.  The definition of the word "prospered" in the Strong's is "to push forward, break out, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosperous."  Because Hezekiah sought God with his whole heart, he progressed in a deeper walk with God.  He prospered in his relationship with the King of Kings.  Psalm 119:2 says, "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!"  God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

If we are stunted in our spiritual growth or in a dry season, it quite possible we have neglected to seek God with our whole hearts.  Col. 3:23-24 says, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."  Hezekiah did not cleanse the temple because he wanted to find favor with the priests and Levites, because he missed Jewish "traditional" worship, or because he wanted political influence over the other 10 tribes of Israel.  He served God for God's sake, not so he would receive blessings from Him.  It is easy to substitute serving people for serving God.  Our flesh can deceive us, thinking that  we please God by being busy with much serving.  We can neglect to be as Mary who chose to stop what she was doing, take a seat, and listen intently to Jesus when He spoke.

If Jesus should open His mouth to speak, would it not be fitting for us to drop all other things to listen to Him?  His food and drink was to do the will of Him who sent Him.  He understood that man does not live by bread alone but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God.  I have been meditating upon this scripture for the last few days.  God has graciously given us our daily bread, and for this we should be thankful.  We must never forget it is in God which we live, move, and have our being.  Every time we draw breath it is a gift from God, generous provision from the Creator of all things.  Let us use our breath to glorify God and draw near to Him listening intently.  We will find Him when we seek Him with our whole hearts.  It is only then we will prosper.