Matins Devotion: September 11, 2025

2 Chronicles 29:1–24

On days like this, it’s easy to hunger for a Hezekiah, for a faithful king who will root out the godless rot in our midst and restore the dignity that once surrounded us. Today is, of course, the 24th anniversary of the day we’ve simply come to call 9/11, perhaps because it’s too painful to call it anything else. And so many in our country are still in shock after the assassination of Charlie Kirk yesterday, a Christian husband and father who was viciously murdered for the unfathomable crime of articulating beliefs held by approximately half the country. This happened while we were mourning the young woman who was viciously murdered on a subway for no reason whatsoever.

And so, in our grief, we cry out for a king, a ruler, a president, whoever it might be. We cry out for someone who can figure out how to rid our nation of this demon worship, this satanic hatred, someone who can figure out how to tear down the altars to the idols of violence and viciousness that so many have built and are building? Who is the king who can lock up the right people, shut down the right organizations, restore peace to our streets, our subways, our campuses, and everywhere else?

Well, may God give us such a Hezekiah. We certainly need one. May God grant us wise and faithful leaders who will purify the land of wickedness. But at the same time, it’s worth remembering that Hezekiah was an imperfect ruler, who would fail the next generation of his people through his pride. And, of course, like all earthly kings, he died, only to be replaced by his worthless and wicked sons. 

So while Israel was blessed to have an earthly king purify the temple, we should remember what truly purified the temple was the greater King promised in the blood that the priests splattered on the altar. What truly restored the temple was the promise that God would one day send His Lamb, His only begotten Son, the King of Kings to shed the blood that forgave His people’s sins, the blood that purged the demonic rot from their hearts, and gave them the right to live in His arms forever.

God fulfilled that promise in Jesus Christ. And through faith, He has grafted you into His people and given you that same reward. No matter how many devils may prowl around our nation, you belong to the King of Kings, the Lord of Lord, the Glorious Son of God who will burn all evil into ashes on the great and glorious day of His return and bless you to dance atop the powder.

So yes, pray that God would give us a Hezekiah, be that one or one thousand faithful rulers. But pray even harder than God would open our eyes to see the greater King we already have, Jesus Christ, the crucified yet risen, dragon-slaughtering Son of God who has vanquished His every enemy, clothed you in His victory, and called you His very own.