Sun.’s Devo - God Honors the Faithful

Read: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18 Jerusalem was attacked by King Sennacherib of Assyria. Their water source was outside of the wall so to keep the Assyrians from getting their water, they stopped the water flow from the mountains. Hezekiah also strengthened all the weak parts of their wall and built a second wall around the first one. He strengthened his military and encouraged the people to trust in God who was more powerful than any man. When King Sennacherib arrived and heard all King Hezekiah had done and said, he mocked him and his faith in God. He lied and told the people that their king had torn down all the Lord’s shrines and altars and reduced their worship to the Temple. He boasted in all he and his army had done to other countries. He told them that their God would not be able to rescue them. He also sent letters denying God’s power as if he was a god like the pagan gods. Hezekiah and Isaiah cried out to the Lord and he sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army and all his commanders and officials. Sennacherib had to go home with his tail tucked between his legs. He was killed by his own sons in his pagan temple. Hezekiah gained the respect of the people and God blessed him with gifts from the surrounding nations. Hezekiah became ill and was about to die when he cried out to God. God healed him and promised him fifteen more years (Isaiah 38:5). Instead of living out those years serving God, he became prideful and produced an heir during that time that didn’t grow up to serve the Lord. His name was Manasseh. When he became the king he served idols. God sent many prophets to warn him to turn back to the Lord, but he refused to listen. So, God sent the commanders of the Assyrian army to take him captive to Babylon. It took that for Manasseh to humble himself before the Lord. When he did, God brought him back to Jerusalem and to rule his kingdom. Then Manasseh realized that God alone is the only God. Paul ended his letter to the Romans. He had finished his work in the regions he was in and was headed back to Rome. He planned to stop by Jerusalem with a gift for the believers there. He asked them to pray for his protection while he was there. Then Paul gave a list of men and women he wanted to honor for their faithful service to him and to God. Lord, may we be remembered for our faithful service to You and your kingdom.