And [Hezekiah] did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan). He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses. – 2 Kings 18:3-6
Hezekiah was a top bloke, exceeding any of the kings before or after him. In obedience he removed everything that distracted Judah from worshipping God in the prescribed way, even though it meant destroying a treasured relic from the days of Moses. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to act similarly:
… let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2
Father, help us be ruthless in casting aside anything that sticks to us or weighs us down. Prevent us from being ensnared or hindered from running, full-pace, after Jesus in obedience. Thank you Jesus, for destroying the Serpent’s power over us by enduring the cross.
Sparks 