Tues.’s Devo Draining the Swamp

Read: 2 Kings 9:14-10:31; Acts 17:1-34; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 17:27-28
Jehu had just been declared king by the people even though Joram was the reigning king recovering from his injuries in Jezreel. Ahaziah king of Judah was there with him. They were both related to Ahab. Jehu drove like a madman to get to them and free the land of Jezebel’s evil influence.
Both kings fled from Jehu but his arrow killed Joram and fatally wounded Ahaziah. Joram died in Naboth’s land fulfilling Elijah’s prophesy about him.
Jehu went next to kill Jezebel. She got all made up for her death and was killed by her own eunuchs. Her blood was spilled on the land of Jezreel and the dogs age her flesh until she was not recognizable also fulfilling prophecy.
Jehu drained the swamp. He had the keepers of Ahab’s 70 sons kill them themselves. Then he killed Ahab’s family, officers, close friends, and priests. He also did the same to the relatives of Ahaziah. He rounded up all the worshippers of Baal and had them killed eradicating Baal worship in Israel. The only thing Jehu didn’t do is get rid of the golden calves that Jeroboam had made. Because of his great reform, God promised that he would have a descendant to sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.
In Acts, the gospel continued to stir up the evil spirits in the people. The spirit of light and the spirit of darkness do not mix. When the power of God starts moving in miracles, signs and wonders, it stirs up the spiritual forces of evil to combat it. Paul was traveling through Greek cities where false gods were part of the scenery. In Athens he saw a tomb that had the inscription: “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD” and used that as his sermon topic. He explained that he knew the unknown God and it was God Almighty who sent his son Jesus to come to earth to die and rise from death. He would show them who he was and how great his love was for the world. Many came to accept Jesus as their Lord.
Lord, may you rid the land of abortion and all the forces of evil that defy the truth. May we carry your spirit and spread the gospel of love and peace today.