Also, in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 30:12

In the worst of times God has had a remnant; so, he had here, many of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun (here is no mention of any out of Ephraim, though some of that tribe are mentioned, v. 18), humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem, that is, were sorry for their sins and submitted to God. Pride keeps men from yielding themselves to the Lord; when that is brought down, the work is done. 2. A command was given to the men of Judah to attend this solemnity; and they universally obeyed it, v. 12. They did it with one heart, were all of a mind in it, and the hand of God gave them that one heart; for it is in the day of power that Christ’s subjects are made willing. It is God that works both to will and to do. When people, at any time, manifest an unexpected forwardness to do that which is good, we must acknowledge that hand of God in it. Bible Study Tools

“the hand of God was [such as] to give them one heart.”

net bible translation

Unity in the community

We live in an age of bitter disunity. Our national politics are shrill and rough. Political parties gerrymander districts to make them permanently safe for their party candidates. Social media that allows people to hide behind screen names and has become a forum for abusive shaming and trolling. The business world is a jungle. Salespeople poach each other’s clients. People fake injuries in order to sue “deep pocket” companies and their insurers. Homeowners and big companies stiff their contractors.

Every difference between people—gender, race, age, ability/disability, ethnic background, religious beliefs, economic level—becomes a political wedge issue to divide us against each other. All these behaviors have the same sickness at the core—the worship of self. People want money, power, and pleasures for themselves and their tribe. They don’t care on whom they step to get what they want.

There is another way, a better way—to think of the common good instead of just me/me/me. We have a mighty heavenly helper for that noble goal: “In Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 30:12). Money and power are terrible motivators for people to yield to and sacrifice for. But God’s love can help us transcend our divisions and actually care about people. Let’s pray today that the hand of God will be upon us.