Readings for today: 2 Chronicles 30-31, Romans 15:1-22, Psalms 25:1-15, Proverbs 20:13-15
I don’t know about you but I find it far too easy to take short cuts. Life is too busy. The world is too crazy. The pressures and demands I face on a daily basis too much. I am often anxious and afraid for our future. So I look for life hacks. I look for ways to save time and money and energy. In such moments, I am tempted to compromise. Compromise my convictions. Compromise my values. Compromise my faith simply for the sake of getting things done. The late, great Roman Catholic monk, Thomas Merton, was once asked what he thought posed the greatest danger to the church. “Efficiency” was his answer. Mine would be similar. Expediency.
Expediency is the process of getting things done quickly and efficiently but often at the expense of our moral values. We sacrifice for the sake of moving on. We crater for the sake of convenience. Sure, we tell ourselves the “ends justify the means” but that answer never quite satisfies. We know when we’ve taken the low road. We know when we’ve given in to our baser instincts. And even though things may have gotten done or decisions made that we support, it never feels good.
“All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.” (Psalms 25:10) How I wish we believed this truth! How I wish we held fast to righteousness! How I wish we refused to take the paths of this world and instead clung to God no matter the cost! Reading through the Kings and Chronicles of the Old Testament feels so familiar these days. We too have compromised with the Baals and false gods of our age. We too have turned aside from seeking God with a pure heart. We too are trying to have it both ways. The kings of Israel and Judah were not necessarily bad people. Yes, the Bible often calls them evil but that is because they fail in their one true duty and that is to seek the Lord with a whole heart. A single-minded devotion. Judged by this standard, all of us are guilty. All of us are evil. No, these kings we read about were real people just like you. Just like me. They were given great responsibility. Just like you. Just like me. They had access to great wealth and influence and power. Just like you. Just like me. But they too often privileged expediency over faithfulness.
I think that’s why it’s so refreshing to read about Hezekiah. Here’s a king who chose the paths of righteousness. He chose the paths of the Lord despite the cost. He called Israel back to true worship and obedience despite being mocked and ridiculed. He re-instituted pure worship and even led the way by giving generously so the people could make the right sacrifices. I love how the author of the Chronicles describes him, “Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and 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)
Hezekiah prospered because he sought the Lord with a whole heart. He wasn’t perfect. In fact, when the people of God failed to purify themselves prior to celebrating the Passover, Hezekiah was quick to acknowledge his mistake. As king, he was responsible. As the one with authority, he was culpable for their failures. So what did Hezekiah do? Did he make excuses? Play the victim? Claim ignorance? Justify himself? No. He prayed for forgiveness. "May the good Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary's rules of cleanness." And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.” (2 Chronicles 30:19-20)
One of the main reasons we fall for the temptation of expediency is because we confuse holiness with perfection. We confuse righteousness with always getting it right. We live in fear of making a mistake. And because we know deep down we cannot live up to this impossible standard, we settle for less. We give up. We lose hope. But the Bible clearly teaches us through Hezekiah’s example that the sacrifices God desires are broken spirits and contrite hearts. God wants our devotion. God wants our full attention. God wants us to seek Him with our whole hearts. God wants our worship to be authentic and real. He has no interest in us going through the motions. He wants us to serve Him not from a sense of duty but from a deep desire to love and please our Savior.
Love is a choice, friends. It is not so much a feeling or an emotion as much as it is a conscious decision to put God first in our lives. In our families. In our work. In our hearts. Are you seeking the paths of the Lord? Are you committed to walking in His steadfast love and faithfulness? Does your devotion to Jesus trump every other relationship in your life?
Readings for tomorrow: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13, Romans 15:23-16:9, Psalms 25:16-22, Proverbs 20:16-18