The good Lord pardon every one that prepared his heart

“For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.” - 2 Chronicles 30v18-20

Here in the Old Testament we find a wonderful picture of the grace of God even when the Law was still in existence. Hezekiah had called for an observance of the Passover to be carried out. A great number of people came to the Passover and partook, but they did not go through the whole ritual cleansing first. They should have been punished for violating the Law, but Hezekiah interceded for them.

He prayed that God would pardon all those who had prepared their hearts, even though they had not followed the law, and “the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah and healed the people.”

It is clear even the Old Testament that God was a God of mercy and grace. These folks violated the Law, but God took mercy on them because they had prepared their hearts.

How wonderful to serve a God of mercy. He does not condone or accept sin in any regard, but He knows our hearts.