Tue.’s Devo - Give us Godly Leaders

Read: 2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27; Romans 13:1-14; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 20:11
It is so much more pleasant to read about the kings of Judah rather than the kings of Israel. The kings of Judah, at least begin worshipping the Lord. The kings of Israel begin worshipping idols and usually end worshipping idols.
Today we read about Amaziah’s son, Uzziah. He began his reign at 16 years of age and he followed the Lord as long as the priest, Zachariah lived. Then he became powerful and his pride caused him to want to offer incense in the temple like the priests. They tried to stop him but not before leprosy broke out on his forehead. Now he couldn’t even enter to the temple because he was unclean. He died a leper.
His son, Jotham became king at the age of 25 and did what was right in God’s eyes. As long as the king was following the Lord, the kingdom expanded, was fortified, and prospered. He also conquered the Ammonites who had to pay tribute to him. Sadly, he only reigned 16 years and when he died, his son, Ahaz became king. Ahaz did not do what was right in God’s eyes. He walked in the idolatry of Israel’s kings. So God turned him over to the king of Aram who defeated him and took many of Judah’s citizens to Damascus as slaves.
The king of Israel also came against him and won. They killed Ahaz’s son, took 200 of his family members captive and took much of their wealth back to Samaria. The prophet, Obed met the soldiers who were bringing back the prisoners from Judah. He told them to take them back because God was using Israel to punish Judah for their sins. But, Israel’s sins were much worse than Judah’s so they had no right to judge Judah. They listened to Obed and clothed, nursed and fed them before they sent them back home.
The Edomites and the Philistines were attacking Judah and instead of asking God for help, they asked the Armenians to help them. The Armenians were more hurt than help. King Ahaz did everything he knew except ask God for help. He raised up idol worship all over Jerusalem and closed the doors to the temple. He finally died and his son, Hezekiah was made king.
Romans 13 should be printed in the newspaper for all to see. God puts who he wants in authority and he doesn’t judge as man judges. He gives his people what they need. If we need a wake up call, we get a president that causes us to hit our knees. If we pray and repent, he gives us a man who will bless us. Our command is to always honor who God puts in the office of President, because our sins or our prayers put him there. We need to continue to pray that he will make godly decisions whether he is a Christian or not.
We should not live in debt but freedom to love. Our only debt should be to owe everyone our love. If we love God first and then our neighbor then we will by nature fulfill all the laws.
Lord, thank you that surely goodness and love will follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.