Tues.’s Devo - A Great Revival

Read: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25;1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15 Since they had not been able to cleanse the Temple and the priests by Passover, Hezekiah asked the people to celebrate it a month later than usual. He sent out messengers throughout Israel and Judah asking the people to return to the Lord and come and celebrate Passover in Jerusalem. Many made fun of the messengers and mocked them but some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. This was unusual since Israel and Judah had been at war with each other and the people of Israel had not come to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple since the days of Solomon. This was a big deal and very bold of Hezekiah. *** The people of Judah had a heart to obey the king and the Lord so they came in mass. They cleansed the pagan altars in Jerusalem and threw them in the Kidron Valley in preparation of the festival. On the assigned day, they began slaughtering the animals brought to the Passover. Many of the people had not cleansed themselves so the priests had to offer their animals they brought for their family. Most of them were the ones from Israel. *** They had such a wonderful time rejoicing in the Lord and fellowshipping with one another they decided to extend it another week. There had not been a celebration like this since the time of Solomon. When the celebration was over the ones who attended went back home and got rid of the pagan shrines and altars in their own towns and homes. This was a revival of repentance. *** Hezekiah set up the priests and Levites to restore the worship of all the sacrifices: the new moon, Sabbath, and daily sacrifices. He encouraged the people to give their tithes to the Temple. The people responded in such a big way that they were able to pay the priests and Levites and provide for them so they didn’t have to have a second job. They could totally give themselves to the daily needs of the Temple. The people gave so abundantly that they had to prepare the storehouses in the Temple to be able to hold it all. *** Hezekiah did what was pleasing and good in God’s eyes and God made him very successful. *** Paul taught us to live with others in mind and not just how we want to live. He encouraged us to be sensitive to the convictions of those around us and not flaunt our freedom in front of them. Our goal is to live in harmony with others and for them during their day it was to live at harmony with the Gentiles even though they were so different in their backgrounds. They could unite in their praise to God. *** Paul explained that it took him so long to get back to them because his heart was to share the Good News about Christ to those who had never heard about him. The people of Jerusalem saw Jesus with their own eyes and heard him with their own ears. But, he was glad to finally be with them and rejoice in their awakening also. *** Lord, may we see our nation return to the Lord as in the days of Hezekiah. May we cleanse our land of it wickedness and return to you.