2 Chron.29:36 – Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over what God had prepared for the people, because the thing came about suddenly.
2023 was a year of fulfillment for Victory Church. We saw debt erased and the beginning of the restoration of our church facilities. To me, this is a picture of the much more important work of building His building which is the body of Christ. Regarding our church facility, it seemed like it took forever to get the building paid off and to begin the restoration but when it happened you would have to say it came about suddenly and completely. We had to be faithful doing our part and then the Lord came in and did more than we can imagine in a moment of time. Here is how Matthew Henry describes today’s passage.
“The king and all the people rejoiced at this good turn of events and the new face of religious faith the kingdom had now put on. Two things in this matter pleased them:
That it happened quickly: The thing was done suddenly, in a short time, with a great deal of ease, and without any opposition. Those who go about the work of God in faith and with determination will find that they do not encounter the difficulties which they sometimes imagine but are pleasantly surprised to see how quickly it has been done.
That the hand of God was clearly in it: God had prepared the people by the hidden influences of his grace, so that many of those who were devoted to the idolatrous altars in the last reign were now adoring God’s altar just as much. This change, which God brought about on their minds, did a lot to bring about this work quickly and made it happen more easily. Let judges and ministers do their part toward reforming a land, and give the LORD the glory for what has been done, especially when it is done suddenly and is a pleasant surprise. This is the LORD’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”
So what does 2024 hold for all of us? I believe it is time to turn our attention to building God’s true house, the body of Christ. It’s time to make disciples and to reach and minister to the lost and broken. It’s time to invest our giving into the work of the ministry rather than in construction. Just as the Lord swept in suddenly to help us with our building in 2023 He will indeed sweep in suddenly to build His church by blessing the work of our hands. I expect as we go forward preaching the gospel to the lost and making disciples in 2024 the Lord will surprise all of us with His sudden and complete work for His church.
2 Chron.29:36 – Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over what God had prepared for the people, because the thing came about suddenly.
2023 was a year of fulfillment for Victory Church. We saw debt erased and the beginning of the restoration of our church facilities. To me, this is a picture of the much more important work of building His building which is the body of Christ. Regarding our church facility, it seemed like it took forever to get the building paid off and to begin the restoration but when it happened you would have to say it came about suddenly and completely. We had to be faithful doing our part and then the Lord came in and did more than we can imagine in a moment of time. Here is how Matthew Henry describes today’s passage.
“The king and all the people rejoiced at this good turn of events and the new face of religious faith the kingdom had now put on. Two things in this matter pleased them:
That it happened quickly: The thing was done suddenly, in a short time, with a great deal of ease, and without any opposition. Those who go about the work of God in faith and with determination will find that they do not encounter the difficulties which they sometimes imagine but are pleasantly surprised to see how quickly it has been done.
That the hand of God was clearly in it: God had prepared the people by the hidden influences of his grace, so that many of those who were devoted to the idolatrous altars in the last reign were now adoring God’s altar just as much. This change, which God brought about on their minds, did a lot to bring about this work quickly and made it happen more easily. Let judges and ministers do their part toward reforming a land, and give the LORD the glory for what has been done, especially when it is done suddenly and is a pleasant surprise. This is the LORD’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”
So what does 2024 hold for all of us? I believe it is time to turn our attention to building God’s true house, the body of Christ. It’s time to make disciples and to reach and minister to the lost and broken. It’s time to invest our giving into the work of the ministry rather than in construction. Just as the Lord swept in suddenly to help us with our building in 2023 He will indeed sweep in suddenly to build His church by blessing the work of our hands. I expect as we go forward preaching the gospel to the lost and making disciples in 2024 the Lord will surprise all of us with His sudden and complete work for His church.
