God Gave them One Heart (2 Chronicles 30:12)

2 Chronicles 30:12 (ESV)

The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord.

            During the time of King Hezekiah, the people of Judah turned from much of their former sin to obey and seek the Lord. For the first time in a long time, they kept a proper festival to God with proper sacrifice. Most of the remnant from the northern kingdom laughed at this worship even though they had already experienced the punishment of God who used the Assyrians to demolish that kingdom. Yet some from the north humbled themselves and repented.

            What is beautiful to me is the unity of heart that was present in the southern kingdom. As a people, the people of Judah repented and sought God. For a time, a short time, the southern kingdom turned from idols and to the Lord. They sacrificed, they prayed, and they sought God’s face. God blessed them and showed them mercy.

        How did this happen? How did Hezekiah convince the people to do what was right? He didn’t. Hezekiah was used by God here, there is no doubt. He was a tool in the hand of the Lord, but he is not the one to glorify for the heart change in the people of Judah. No, look again at verse 12. God did the work in the hearts of the people, “The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord.”

        When a person turns from their sin to seek the salvation of God, that is the working of God on a dead heart. God may use a pastor, a friend, a missionary, a teacher, or whomever he wants, but the fact is, it is always God alone who changes the hearts of sinners. This is to God’s glory. He is the one who ought to receive 100% of the praise for anyone’s salvation, anyone’s heart change. This does not diminish the work of believers that God uses. Hezekiah was important in the lives of the people of Judah. Whoever shared Jesus with you was important in your conversion if you are saved. Missionaries are important in taking the gospel to the nations. But only God awakens dead hearts, replaces hearts of stone with hearts of flesh, and brings people to salvation. That is his glorious work for his sweet praise.