Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

18 July 2024

Reading From II Kings 18:1-8, II Chronicles 29-31

“Since many in the crowd had not consecrated themselves, the Levites had to kill the Passover lambs for all those who were not ceremonially clean and could not consecrate their lambs to the Lord. Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.”

–II Chronicles 30:17-20

     There came a great spiritual revival during the reign of King Hezekiah.  I can feel the fervor and the joy of the Lord that spread through the nation of Israel as I read these passages filled with excitement for God and celebrations of His goodness.  This situation in II Chronicles 30 captivated me.  Here we have individuals and families who want to please Yahweh and celebrate the Passover, but who are not spiritually prepared to do so.

     Passover is celebrated privately in each family home.  This is a great picture of the priesthood of the believer.  In the eternal family of God, each son and daughter of the Most High is a royal priest or priestess who functions in the authority of Jesus, who is our Great High Priest.  For the ancient Israelites coming to celebrate Passover during the reign of Hezekiah, they came eager to worship but they had not taken the time to go through ritual cleansing to be able to function in their callings.  This was not how any of this was to be done according to the Law of Moses. 

     Hezekiah asked God to forgive them for worshipping without necessarily following all the rules laid out in Mosaic Law because their hearts were in the right place.  Yahweh responded with tender love, grace, mercy and healing.  It is the same today.  As we come to Him, simply turning from our sin and toward Him in faith, He meets us where we are and He heals us.  We are able to come to Him just as we are. 

We don’t have to clean up our acts before we come to Him for help. He doesn’t require perfection in order for us to somehow earn His love and acceptance. He loves us without condition, and we can only be accepted by being cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.  His arms of love are outstretched, welcoming us to His healing embrace. His grace transforms us from the inside out and His love inspires us to want to please Him by obeying His Word more and more closely. Not to earn favor, but because of His favor freely given.

“God, I cannot thank You enough for Your goodness and mercy to us, Your children.  I pray that more and more people would desire to please You and that we would see a mighty, soul-shaking revival sweep across the Earth.  Turn the hearts of the people to You.  Renew our desire to be cleansed and healed and empower us to lead holy, righteous lives overflowing with Your love.  Thank You for loving us just as we are and bringing us gently along to become more and more like You.  Conform us into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ.  In Your Precious Name I pray, Amen.”

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

–Matthew 11:28-30

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”

–Isaiah 55:1

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”

–Revelation 22:17

“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

–John 6:37

“On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

–Matthew 9:12-13