Focus: 2 Chronicles 29:11 - KJV
11. My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.
2 Chronicles 29:1-11
Before Hezekiah attained the throne of Judah, those before him had led Israel away from the honor and service of their God. They had polluted the temple and made a mockery of the institution of priesthood for which the State suffered severe consequences. When Hezekiah became king, even as a tender lad, his first main assignment was to restore focus unto the living God. Such restoration was not to be a firm one unless the custodians of worship, those who occupied the priestly office(s) were found to be committed, astute and dedicated to the worship and service of the Lord to whom they were called. Hence, they were instructed not to be negligent in their service and ministry unto the lord. This is to say that they should be diligent in all area of their service and ministry unto their God, not allowing their sloppiness or lack of focus to cause the people to stray again. As it was in those days, it is today. The “altars” of worship have been desecrated with Mammon worship and there is clear apathy towards the worship of God. There is need for the priests and the shepherds to reappraise the situation and return to holy and proper worship of God. Possession, health, promotion, miracles, good living and the likes, as good and beautiful as they may appear, can never be a replacement for salvation of the soul. The negligence of the past is found in abdicating the preaching and working to restore lost souls but merely enticing them to the altar based on ephemeral gains that will perish.
Beloved, the problems confronting mankind today are traceable to the neglect of the “altar”. Rather than worship and serve the Lord in Spirit and in truth, we seek Him for our needs and wants. Indeed, invitational posters to gatherings are fraught with invitation to receive material gains and not necessarily ransom for souls, just like the fisherman baits the fish into his dragnet or the cob baits the insects into its web. This is not the call of God unto the nations. The heartbeat of God is so loud now that we cannot afford to ignore. He is crying out for souls to be ransomed genuinely and reconciled unto Him. Let us get serious and be diligent in ministry forthwith.
SOLUTION: We are to make mankind focus on the kingdom of God and its righteousness as the main pursuit. We are to shift their focus from and not to the things that are the end products of seeking first the kingdom.
Lord, we are sorry for ever going on the frolic of directing people to the things that perish rather than eternal matters, in times past. Please forgive us in Jesus’ name. We know that without you we can do nothing. Do help us to be more diligent in our service to you never to lead anyone astray in Jesus’ name. In all things, let your name be glorified from now on and shift the focus of mankind unto yourself through our dedication to you ever more in Jesus’ name.
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