Friday, July 28, 2017

Fri.’s Devo - The Turning of a Nation

Read: 2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21; Romans 11:13-36; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 20:7
Jehoshaphat passed his kingdom to his oldest son, Jehoram who killed his six brothers who had been greatly blessed by their father with cities and wealth. Jehoram didn’t follow after his father, but the kings of Israel, so he led the nation into idolatry. Edom and Libnah revolted against Judah. Elijah sent King Jehoram a letter rebuking him for his rebellion against God. He told him that his sons and wives would be struck and he would become sick and eventually die. All of this came to pass and he only reigned eight years.
The people made Ahaziah his youngest and only surviving son the king. His mother was Athaliah who was Jezebel’s counterpart. She encouraged Ahaziah toward sin and idolatry.
Ahaziah went to Israel and helped Ahab’s son war against Ramoth Gilead. If you remember, his father did the same thing and was greatly rebuked by the Lord for doing so. This visit led to Ahaziah’s downfall also. He was captured and killed.
When his mother found out her son was dead, she proceeded to kill of all of his brothers or anyone who would be in line for the kingdom. One of the king’s daughters was also the wife of Jehoiada, the priest. She and her husband hid the king’s youngest son in the temple for six years while Athalia ruled Judah.
In the seventh year, the priests all devised a plan to bring the son, Joash out of hiding and give him the kingship. They followed the priest’s plan and when Athalia heard the celebration and saw the boy standing by the pillar of the temple she cried, “Treason!” and tore her robes. Jehoiada, the priest commanded his men to kill her away from the temple so they killed her at the entrance of the Horse Gate.
Jehoiada then led the people in a pledge to follow the Lord and be his people. They took Josiah to the palace, sat him on the throne and peace came to the city.
In Romans, Paul explains the salvation of the Gentiles. The Jews rejected the new covenant as a nation but salvation is personal and individual. The Gentile nation will lead them back to their heritage at the right time. It doesn’t mean that Jews won’t be saved…it is just not their time as a nation to be able to see. God opens the eyes of all who ask him and are willing to see something they may not want to see or agree with. He is doing it today in a big way in the Muslim community through dreams and visions.
Psalm 22 is the chapter that Jesus was referring his disciples to on the cross. He wanted them to read it and realize he was fulfilling it at that very moment.
Lord, help us to have eyes to see even if it changes our perspective and preconceived ideas. We pray for truth. We also pray for peace to come to our nation as we turn back to you.

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