Jul 07 – He Prospered!

“The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went.” (2 Kings 18:7)

This verse speaks about King Hezekiah. The name Hezekiah means “The Lord is my strength.” Whoever acknowledges the Lord as their strength and clings to Him saying, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength” (Psalm 18:1) — such people will always find favour, fruitfulness, and prosperity wherever they go.

The key reason why King Hezekiah prospered is found in 2 Kings 18:4. “He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent …”

Idolatry is one of the most abominable sins in the eyes of God, because it robs God of the glory due to Him and gives it to lifeless things. God clearly commanded: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). This is the first and foundational commandment of all.

But idolatry is not just the worship of carved images. Whatever usurps the place of God in our lives — that becomes an idol. Whatever we value more than God, give more attention to, or prioritize above Him — that becomes an idol.

Some make their studies their idol. Some idolize their jobs, skipping church even on Sundays in the name of work. Some won’t even close their shops on the Lord’s Day, driven by greed. The Bible says — “Covetousness is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)

Dear child of God, cast out every form of idolatry from your heart and home. Enthrone the Lord Jesus as King over your heart. Then, just as the Lord was with Hezekiah, He will be with you, and everything you do will prosper.

Another reason for Hezekiah’s favour was this: “He opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them.” (2 Chronicles 29:3) He had zeal for the house of the Lord — and so, God opened doors of favour for him and commanded prosperity in everything that he did.

The New Testament asks us: “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Dear child of God, never let sin or lust defile your body, which is God’s holy temple.

Verse for further meditation: “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:3)