Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to come to the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel.

They decided to send a proclamation throughout Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, calling the people to come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel. It had not been celebrated in large numbers according to what was written.  At the king’s command, couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and from his officials, which read: “People of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you who are left, who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria.  Do not be like your parents and your fellow Israelites, who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see.  

2 Chronicles 30:1, 5-7

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I am admittedly a recovering “news junkie,” having been schooled by my father, who read the Daily News cover to cover all of my childhood. My dad had an imaginary “Do not disturb until dinner” sign posted by his cozy chair as he finished every word of the paper. 

My stomach has been trying to recover the last few weeks from the divisiveness of this past year in America. The news cycle held me hostage. To be fair to my dad, he loved the news because it had no opinion except for the editorials. It’s very different today because online media doesn’t always take a neutral stance. 

I, too, went rogue this past year. I didn’t read or listen to anything or anyone who didn’t share my opinion. It was not the most helpful way to navigate 2024.

I thought that with the election, our latest internal skirmish as Americans was over. But it seems we are still a polarized country—in our churches and families. How do we mend?

In our passage today, King Hezekiah did an unbelievable thing. His father had killed and taken captive many Jewish people from Judah. Many would have thought that Hezekiah would also want to get even. Instead, he invites the Northern Kingdom to come and worship God at the Passover festival. He does his best to bring Israel and Judah back to peace after many battles between the two tribes. 

Unity was eventually accomplished partly because Hezekiah humbled himself and reconciled with his brothers and sisters of faith. 

As the American Civil War in our country came to a close, Abraham Lincoln, in his second inaugural address, penned these words: 

“With malice toward none; with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wound; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations.”

Many say this has never been accomplished in our country or our world. But I’m sure this speech influenced some to care for those on opposite sides.

Can we reach across the divide in our worlds, humble ourselves, shake hands, and reconcile? Can I grab a little humble Hezekiah,a little Honest Abe, and depend on my perfect and mighty God to fill my heart with forgiveness and love for people I feel wounded by?

Yes, I can—and know that you can, too.

Next Steps

If you enjoy worship music, listen to this song, don’t stop praying, today. 

Take time to examine your intake of the news. My diet of 24/7 has gasped its last breath, and instead, reading Pour Over satisfies my soul

Consider spending your time on a serving team and pray with your team.