Repentance - The Purest Form of Faith In God

When King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes and put on burlap and went into the Temple of the LORD. [2 Kings 19.1]

The amazing thing about 2 Kings 19.1 above is 2 Kings 18. What I mean by this is that Hezekiah was defined in no vagueness as a "good king." In fact, Hezekiah went to great lengths to eradicate idol worship in Judah and consequently was deemed "faithful to the LORD in everything."

So, what is so amazing then about 2 Kings 19.1? What is amazing is that the king chronicled as the best all-time king of Judah repented. When Hezekiah "tore his clothes and put on burlap and went into the Temple of the LORD..." that was purely an act of repentance. The king unmatched by any in Judah for his goodness and faithfulness to God, REPENTED.

Why did Hezekiah not complain to God that he was being treated unfairly - being he was such a good king and all - like the Bible character Job did? The answer is simple: Hezekiah did not have the deeply rooted and hidden sin of pride in his life (the reason Job had to repent). Instead, Hezekiah's character took him straight to humility and repentance.

There is something here for us all. Repentance is not just for those found in gross sin. Repentance is the purest form of faith in God. Repentance is human acknowledgement that God is God and we are powerless to navigate life without Him. It's not a matter of being good and deserving good - it's a matter of humbling ourselves before God - understanding that He is in control and He alone is our righteousness, sanctifier, peace, present God, healer, provider, shepherd, banner, forgiver, advocate, refuge, strength, defender, protector, fortress, and shield.

Repentance, in its basest form, is acknowledgement that I can do nothing for myself and I am fully dependent upon God. Even if I am good, like Hezekiah, or think I'm good, like Job, troubles will come because sin is in the world, and the only correct human response to troubles is repentance. Hezekiah figured this out quickly, and, after a quick little confrontation with pride, Job figured it out as well.

The point is, the way to life in God, like Jesus said, is narrow:

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]

I believe repentance is that narrow gate. Christendom has been plagued with seemingly endless anecdotes and remedies to have a "relationship with God." Oh sure, most of those remedies hinge upon Christ (as they should), but few focus on His opening ministry remark:

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” [Matthew 4.17]

The Apostle Peter seemed to understand this well.

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. [2 Peter 3.9]

It is no wonder the world is so confused because Christians are so confused. There is only one remedy to a genuine relationship with God: repentance.

Father, forgive me for my pride and arrogance. Forgive me, in my trials and troubles for questioning You as if I was waiting for You to do something. Forgive me for excluding repentance from my life as if it is a one-and-done event. Forgive me for thinking one time of repentance on my part could ever match Jesus' one time of forgiveness...