2 Chronicles 30-31

Daily Devotional from 2 Chronicles 30--

Verses 18-20

A large number of the people...were ritually unclean, yet they had eaten the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah had interceded for them, saying, “May the good Lord provide atonement on behalf of whoever sets his whole heart on seeking God, the Lord, the God of his ancestors, even though not according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.” So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

Hezekiah didn’t know it, but he was praying for the entire world, not just those in Israel who had turned their hearts back to the LORD. He was praying for you. He was praying for me. 

These verses are a picture of what is to come. It’s the good news. While we were still ritually unclean, Jesus died and rose again for us and cleansed us from all unrighteousness. 

Sin is supposed to blemish us and make us unclean in the eyes of the Lord. And just like the Lord healed the people on behalf of Hezekiah’s prayer, you and I have been provided an atonement, a healing power that immunizes us from receiving the stain of sin ever again-- because Jesus advocates on our behalf and clothes us with HIS unblemished character. 

Robin Miller