Sun.’s Devo - The Return to the Lord

Read: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15 Hezekiah had restored the Temple one day late for Passover, but instead of waiting another year, he just decided they would celebrate the Passover a month later. He sent out invitations to the people of Ephraim and Manasseh asking everyone to come. Then he sent a proclamation to Israel also. The runners carried letters that called the people back to the Lord. It was a call to repentance for the nation. Many laughed and made fun of the runners, but a remnant from Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The priests and Levites celebrated the Passover as the law required. Since the people had not purified themselves as the law had required, the Levites had to offer their animals for them. King Hezekiah prayed for the people to be sanctified so they could eat the Passover meal with them. There was great and joyous celebration for seven days. They enjoyed the presence of the Lord so much, they decided to celebrate another seven days. Hezekiah gave them 19,000 animals to sacrifice as more priest purified themselves to officiate. When it was over, the priests and Levites stood and blessed the people and God was pleased. When the festival was over, the Israelites who had attended went home and smashed all the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and removed the pagan shrines and altars in Judah. Then they returned home. Hezekiah instituted the morning and evening sacrifices in the Temple and got the Temple functioning the way the law instructed. The people were told what they were to contribute to keep the Temple going and complied eagerly. They gave so much that the priest were able to sustain themselves with their gifts and the people prospered. They were able to fill the storerooms once again with the offerings of the people. With these gifts they could distribute to the priests so their job became the Temple as was written in the Law. Hezekiah sought the Lord with all his heart and his kingdom prospered. Just as following the Lord caused the people to rejoice in Chronicles, Paul taught them the same thing in Romans. Following the Lord causes everyone to be glad and prosper. Helping others was the way Christ lived and God blessed the one helped and the giver. God came to the Jews first to have them show the Gentile God’s goodness so they would want it also. God wants us to join one another in praise. He wants us to live in harmony with the Jews. Paul was writing to the Gentile church in Rome that he had never met but longed to visit. He had heard about them and knew they had been taught the truth, but he felt led to remind them about loving the Jews as well as the Gentiles. Paul went to places where they had never heard the Gospel but he wrote to the church in Rome to encourage the believers there. Lord, thank you for stories where the people return to You. It encourages us for our own country that we can turn back to You and You can heal our land.