Only “If” - II Chronicles 30:9

Twice in this ninth verse, the little word, “if”, comes before us in our reading. It is a word meaning there is a condition or expectation set, but only on the principle that one party is willing to do what the other party says. Judah has had some pretty bad kings, and because of that, they have experienced some very tragic things. They have been overtaken by the Syrians, fought a civil war, some of their own people were taken in captivity, and the house of God was boarded shut.

Thankfully, a godly king, Hezekiah, is now the king over Israel. He has reopened the Lord’s house, removed all filthiness, and has set up the priests, musicians and altars, and has proclaimed that the house of God is open. He sends out men all over the country to call the people to Jerusalem to keep the Lord’s Passover. In his letters that he sent out (vs 6), he reminds the people that in spite of all that has happened in Judah, the Lord is still compassionate, still powerful, “they shall come again into the land”, that He is still “gracious and merciful”, and will not turn His face from you” (vs 9). Hezekiah is reminding Judah that God is all that He has always been, and is able to do what He has always done!

The key to allowing the Lord to show Himself as He is described in verse 9, is written twice: “if”. The first time: “If ye turn again unto the Lord”. The second time: “If ye return unto Him”. It’s sad that Judah had distanced themselves so far from God that so many terrible things had happened to them. But the blessing from all the bad is they realized that it’s a terrible thing to forsake the Lord, for He truly was all they ever needed!

As a believer, are things falling apart in your life? Does it seem as if God has changed, and this compassionate, merciful, gracious and all powerful God is not the same? Does it seem that there are boards on the house of God, trying to turn you away, and you’re not able to worship as you one time did?

It might be a two letter word that could put you back on the right course, and find out that God is still everything He has always been!

“If”