Wed.’s Devo - The Signs of Obedience and Disobedience -

Read: 2 Kings 15:32-16:9; 2 Chron. 27:1-9, 28:1-15; Micah 1:1-16; Isaiah 7
Yesterday we read in Amos 9:11-15, a promise of restoration for the fallen house of David. One day, the walls Jerusalem would be rebuilt and it will be restored to its former glory. They will have more grapes and grain than they can harvest. The Jews will come back to their land never to be uprooted again. We have yet to see this happen but it will.
Today we read about Jotham, Uzziah’s son and his reign. He showed the signs of obedience. When a king came to rule and followed the Lord we see these signs:
1. They remove the pagan worship. Jotham followed his father in this and did what was pleasing to the Lord.
2. They start rebuilding. Jotham started rebuilding the gates and the walls. These are the security of the nation. He built towns, fortresses, and towers - all signs of prosperity and growth.
3. They conquer their enemies and receive tribute from them. (2 Chron. 27:5)
4. They become powerful. Jotham did this as long as he remained obedient to the Lord.
We can walk in obedience and we will see the same results. Our minds will be renewed and the sins that used to beset us will lose their grip on us. We will start restoring relationships that have been broken, wounds that have been open, and our own spiritual and physical health will improve. Then we can reach out to others and help them be restored. We will be on the offense against the enemy. We will start regaining ground he has stolen from us and he will serve us instead of us serving him and being one step behind him. We need to be starting fires of revival instead of putting out fires of disaster from the devil.
Another important lesson from todays reading is that the nation was only as strong as it’s capital. We are only as strong as what is ruling over us. If God is our king and leader then we are unstoppable, blessed, alive and winning. If our old nature is ruling us or if condemnation, rejection, depression, etc. is ruling us then we will be defeated, cursed, dead and losing. Let’s rise up and let God be King of our lives.
Lord, we are tired of being defeated by the devil so today we will rise up and say that You alone are our King and we will bow to no other!