Good kings were rare in Judah. They were non-existent in the northern kingdom of Israel. 2 Kings 18 begins the story of Hezekiah. He is not the first righteous king, but he takes serving the Lord to another level.

When good kings followed God, they usually left the “high places.” They didn’t tear down everything that didn’t point Judah to the worship of God alone.

Hezekiah was different. Everything went. The high places, the altars, the Asherah poles, even the artifacts Israel had been carrying around foolishly for generations, like the bronze serpent Moses had used in the wilderness.

Hezekiah finally led Judah out into a period of abundance. It wasn’t all “roses,” as they say. Assyria laid siege to Jerusalem in Hezekiah’s years. But Hezekiah had a determination to clear everything out and lead the nation in truly serving God. Even the high places had to go.

There are times we need to get fed up with the lackluster effort we put into our walk with God. We need to get disgusted with our minimal efforts and that attitude that always asks, “What’s wrong with it” instead of “What’s right with it.”

We need periods in our lives when we spiritually evaluate and see we need to toss out a ton of junk in our lives. If we don’t go through those evaluations, then it’s not a ton of junk anymore. It’s two tons. Then three tons.

And then we won’t want to even think about cleaning house anymore.

Hezekiah got fed up.

I find there are those times I need to get fed up as well. Housecleaning has to happen. Junk has to go. And Jesus needs to be the fullness of my vision.