The scripture from 2 Chronicles 20:33 states, "Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers." This poignant verse serves as a window into the spiritual landscape of ancient Judah, providing profound implications for our spiritual lives today.

King Jehoshaphat was the ruler of Judah during a tumultuous time, facing threats from surrounding nations. His reign was marked by his dedication to reform, righteousness, and returning the people to a worshipful relationship with God. Yet, amidst these encouraging reformations, the high places remained—symbolic of compromise and half-hearted devotion to God. The high places were places where pagan practices often took place, representing a divided heart and the tendency of the people to cling to remnants of idolatry. The fact that "the high places were not taken away" illustrates an unaddressed duality among the people. Their allegiance to God was not complete; they held onto parts of their past that were incompatible with true worship.

This leads us to consider the phrase "for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers." Herein lies the crux of their struggle, as well as ours. To prepare one’s heart means to intentionally align one’s desires, thoughts, and actions with the heart of God. This preparation is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey. In a world filled with distractions, competing priorities, and an ever-increasing barrage of information, preparing our hearts to seek the true God becomes a deliberate act of the will.

Why then is this preparation essential? Scripture teaches us repeatedly that the heart is central to our relationship with God. Jesus emphasized this truth in Matthew 22:37, saying, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." When our hearts are preoccupied with lesser things—

our jobs, our ambitions, our entertainment, or even our anxieties—our relationship with God suffers. The high places in our lives can be likened to distractions or idols that are contrary to a pure and devoted heart. They can be anything that competes for our attention and loyalty away from God, even good things when they take precedence over our devotion.

We must ask ourselves: What are the high places in our lives that we need to remove? Is it a reliance on our own strength, a relationship that pulls us away from God, or the entertainment that distracts us from focusing on His Word? Just as Jehoshaphat had to confront the high places in Judah, we are called to examine our own lives and identify what stands in the way of our wholehearted preparation.

To truly prepare our hearts for God, we must engage in practices that draw us closer to Him. This includes consistent prayer—aligning our desires with His, immersing ourselves in Scripture to know His promises and commands, and participating in community to encourage and hold one another accountable. Worship is another vital aspect of preparing our hearts, as when we glorify God, we focus our attention where it belongs.

Furthermore, just as Jehoshaphat led the nation into battle with prayer and praise (2 Chronicles 20:21), we must arm ourselves with faith and trust in God’s sovereignty over our fears. When we make a conscious effort to prepare our hearts, we create space for the Spirit of God to work within us, leading us into a deeper relationship with Him.

Let us now reflect: Are we like the people of Judah, holding on to high places in our lives? Or are we ready to prepare our hearts and dedicate ourselves wholly to the God of our fathers? In this preparation, we find the promise of His presence and power in our lives, enabling us to face our battles with assurance and faith.