Blessings, prosperity and effectiveness are always linked with some conditions. In II Chronicles we read about the success of Hezekiah. In II Chronicles 31:21 his success is defined. In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked whole heartedly. And so he prospered. This is the secret of every man. Prosperity does not mean material prosperity alone. A person who has abundant riches may experience a void within and thereby fail to enjoy a prosperous life. Here we find a clue to prosperous life. We have to seek God in all that we undertake to do and work whole heartedly to fulfill the desire of God.

Some of the things that King Hezekiah did deserve commendation:

     1. He urged the people to consecrate themselves and purify the temple. The Priests brought out all that was unclean in the temple. All that was not clean was thrown out. He came forward to consecrate and purify him self, so that the process of purity will be effective throughout the land (II Chron 28:15-18).

     2. He tried to offer the offerings that the Lord had asked them to give. He obeyed God’s commands. When he took the first step, God gave the people a unity of mind to carry out what the King and his officials had ordered, following the word of the Lord (II Chron 30:12).

     3. Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites. The Levites blessed the people and God heard them. The land will be blessed if the religious and secular leaders listen and obey God. So Hezekiah brought blessing to people. (II Chron 30:22).

     4. The King himself was a model and he “contributed from his own possessions for the morning and evening burnt offerings” (II Chron 31:3).

Hezekiah consecrated himself, obeyed God, gave to Him and threw away all that was unclean so he prospered. The only way to prosper is by leading a clean life that is pleasing to God. Without that inner integrity and a clean life no one can please God and earn His favour. Prosperity may step in for a short period and temporary blessings may delight for a while. Yet, the peace that can’t be shaken and calm that will never be shattered will be within the reach of a person who trusts in the Lord, and abides by His rules.