He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. 6 For he trusted in the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. 7 And the LORD was with him; and he prospered wherever he went forth: - 2 Kings 18:5-7

Escape Heritage 28:22 in the time of his distress Ahaz trespassed yet more 23 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which smote him: "Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him...27 Ahaz slept...buried...not in the sepulchres of the kings of Israel and Hezekiah his son reigned.

Zealously Pursue the Purity Priority 29:1 Hezekiah 25, reigned 29 years...mother...daughter of Zechariah. 2 did right in the sight of the LORD, according to David his father 3...1st year of his reign, 1st month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them. 2Ki 18:4 removed high places, broke images, cut down idols, brazen serpent that Moses had made...

Effect & Cause 29:5 Levites...sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD...carry filthiness out of the holy place. 6 For our fathers have trespassed, and done evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the house of the LORD, and turned their backs. 8 Wherefore the wrath of the LORD has been upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he has delivered them to trouble...as you see with your eyes.

Kovenant Accountability for Encouragement 10...heart to make a covenant with the LORD that his fierce wrath may turn away from us. 11 My sons, be not negligent: for the LORD has chosen you to stand before him, to serve him...minister to him, and offer sacrifice 15 And they assembled their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD. 16 And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.

Increase Joy from Doing the Right Thing 29:23 brought forth male goats for the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them: 24 And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel. 36 Hezekiah rejoiced & all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done readily.

Always the Time to do the Right Thing 30:1 Hezekiah sent Israel, Judah, Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to keep the passover 3...not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together at Jerusalem. 5...for they had not done it of a long time in the manner as it was written.

Hear & Learn from the Mistakes of Others 30:7 Don't be like your fathers...brethren, who trespassed against the LORD who therefore...desolation, as you see. 8 Don't be stiffnecked, as your fathers, but yield yourselves to the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he has sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that his fierce wrath may turn away

Humbly Accept God's Goodness 30:9 if you return to the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion...captive...return into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him. 10...but they derided, and mocked them. 11 Nevertheless some...humbled themselves, and came

Ask God for Some Slack if your Heart is in the Right Place 30:12 God gave them one heart to do the commandment of the king...by the word of the LORD. 18..had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one 19 That prepares his heart to seek the LORD though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. 20 And the LORD heard, and healed the people.

Pay (Value) Ministers 30:22 Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they ate...offering...confession to the LORD 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem...time of Solomon...27 Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer ascended to his holy dwelling place, even to heaven.

31:4 commanded the people...to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD. 5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things they brought in abundantly.

Purge Provision for the Phlesh 31:1 all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and broke the images in pieces, and cut down the idols, and threw down the high places...until they had utterly destroyed them all.

Yippie! Prosper to the Degree you're Wholehearted 31:20 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and performed that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God. 21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Is happiness a good goal? What are some of the dangers of pursuing it?

2. Why do we have trouble learning from the mistakes of others (or even our own)?

3. What are some of Satan's lies which keep us from seeking and receiving the goodness of God?

4. T or F "If your heart is in the right place (fixed on obeying God) you don't have to sweat the details."

5. What kind of prosperity results from seeking God wholeheartedly? What can you do to promote your happiness?