Thurs.’s Devo - Passover was Reinstated

Read: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15 King Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover which hadn’t been celebrated in large groups for decades. It was to be celebrated a month later than the prescribed time because enough priests could not be purified by the time of Passover. *** The runners carried letters telling the people to return to the Lord and to meet to pray for those still in captivity. Most of the people laughed at them and made fun of them but some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. God moved on the hearts of the people of Judah and they met to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. They removed the pagan altars from Jerusalem and threw them into the Kidron Valley. *** They celebrated the Passover which shamed the priests and Levites who hadn’t purified themselves. They repented and purified themselves and took their places at the Temple and took the blood of the pascal lamb and sprinkled it on the altar. *** Many of the people hadn’t purified themselves so the Levites had to offer their lamb for them. King Hezekiah prayed for the people and they were allowed to eat the meat from their lambs and God heard his prayer. *** The people joyously celebrated the Passover for seven days with singing and trumpets and praise. The people were so moved they decided to celebrate another week. Hezekiah gave 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep and the officials offered 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep so they had plenty to eat and celebrate with. God was pleased. *** The people left rejuvenated and went home and got rid of the idol worship in their towns. *** Hezekiah organized the priests and Levites into divisions to offer the daily burnt offerings and peace offering so they could have continual praise and worship in the Temple. He required the people to bring a portion of their goods to the priests and Levites to pay to keep them serving in the Temple. The people responded with joy and brought so much of their first fruits that there were piles of offerings. Storerooms were set up to store the abundance and it was apportioned as necessary to the priests and Levites and their families. *** In Romans, Paul makes it clear that we don’t live our lives for ourselves but to serve others and encourage them to walk in holiness and joy with the Lord. Our goal is harmony and unity of heart with God’s people. Paul reminded them that God had prophesied that He would one day rule over the Gentiles and they would put their trust in him. *** Paul prayed that God would fill us with joy and peace because we trust in him. He explained to the Roman church that the reason it was taking him so long to get to them for a visit was because he was going to places that had never heard of Christ and the Good News of the Gospel. Paul was a true evangelist. *** Lord, may we have undivided hearts to serve you with the gifts you have given us. May we be true to our calling as Paul was to his.