Some of them humbled themselves

So the runners passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun; but they laughed at them and mocked them. Nevertheless some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. Also the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, at the word of the LORD. – 2 Chronicles 30v10-12

After God gave the offer of kindness from the Chaldeans for those who would turn back to Him messengers were sent out into the land with the message. As the runner went out the response was surly to be expected. After all the time without proper worship they could not have expected that everyone would just drop their ways and turn back to God.

So most of the people laughed and them and mocked them. They would not receive God’s word. The people mocked the messengers of God.

But some humbled themselves and came back to Jerusalem to meet with God. To them God gave a singleness of heart to follow the leaders and obey Him.

Some people were not afraid to go against the flow. Some were willing to follow Him not matter what anyone else did. God rewarded those who did.

A similar thing happened when Paul spoke on Mars Hill. Some mocked, some wanted to hear more, and some turned to God.

Does that sound familiar? When people try to share God’s word a bunch of people are going to laugh and mock us. That is the norm. As sinners we are not programmed to accept anything that is going to turn us away from the lives we choose.

As we try to share God’s word today the reality is that people are going to mock us. People are going to laugh. People are not going to like it.

But we have to take confidence and assurance that some are going to hear.