Mon.’s Devo - Return to the Lord

Read: 2 Chronicles 30:1-1:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Provers 20:13-15 King Hezekiah sent word through all Israel and Judah inviting everyone to come to the Temple to celebrate Passover. Since the Temple had not been in operation for years the priests had had to find other employment to put food on their tables. They also had to go through the process of being sanctified to serve in the Temple which would take some time so Hezekiah put off the celebration of Passover one month. Many priests took part in the purification process and were able to serve. The people also had to get themselves pure. In his invitation, Hezekiah implored the people to return to the Lord and worship him. Many people laughed at the invitation, but many humbled themselves and came. When they came to Jerusalem, they removed all the pagan altars from Jerusalem which were on every street corner and took away all the incense altars and threw them in the Kidron Valley. Many of the people came with lambs but they hadn’t purified themselves. Hezekiah prayed form them to be pardoned and let them eat anyway. The Lord heard his prayer and healed the people so they were clean. They had a joyous celebration and the Festival of Unleavened Bread lasted for seven days so they all stayed and worshiped, sang and ate together. The king gave the people 1,000 bulls and 7000 sheep and goats for offerings so everyone had something to give. The officials gave 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep and goats. It was a huge party. When it was over, the people who attended went to other towns and cut down their Asherah poles and removed the pagan shrines and altars. Hezekiah organized the priests so they could take their turns in seeing in the Temple. The people responded by giving so many offerings to the Temple that the priests were able to be eat and have much left over. Hezekiah ordered a storeroom to be opened in the Temple to put the extra tithes the people brought so the priests would always be taken care of. Hezekiah sought the Lord with all his heart so he was very successful. In Romans, Paul gave them instructions to love one another and to get along with peace. He prayed for patience and encouragement to help them live together in harmony and to live a life of praise and one that gave glory to God. Lord, may we live in love and may our lives give you glory. May our nation return to the Lord as Hezekiah’s did.