Sat.’s Devo - King After King…

Read: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29; Acts 18:23-19:12; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 18:2-3 Jehu’s son, Jehoahaz ruled Israel 17 years while Joash reigned in Judah. Jehoahaz was evil and worshiped idols so the Lord allowed King Hazael of Aram to defeat them repeatedly. Finally Hazael asked the Lord for help and God gave them peace for a while. But they continued in idolatry so God reduced their army. *** As Elisha was dying, Jehoahaz went to visit him. Elisha told him to shoot some arrows out the eastern window. When he did, Elisha told him that it was the Lord’s arrow of victory and he would have complete victory over the Arameans at Ahpek. Then he told him to take the remaining arrows and beat them on the ground. He obeyed and hit the ground three times with the arrows. Elisha told him that because he only hit the ground three times, he would only defeat the Arameans three times. This happened just as Elisha said. *** Elisha died and was buried. A group of Israelites were burying a man and they were attacked by Moabites raiders. They quickly threw the man in Elisha’s grave and when the man landed on Elisha’s bones, he jumped back to life. Elisha had asked for a double measure of Elijah’s power and this last man made the score double. Elisha had now raised twice as man men from the dead as Elijah. Our works continued even after we die. *** Jehoahaz died and his son Jehoash became the king of Israel at the age of 16. Two years later, Amaziah became king of Judah. He was 25 years old. Amaziah had all the officials who had assassinted his father killed but not their children. He then picked a fight with Israel. Jehoash tried to get him to leave in peace but Amaziah had just won against Edom and was feeling strong enough to take Israel on. Amaziah refused to leave so they went to battle. Judah lost and Amaziah was captured by Jehoash of Israel. Jehoash’s army demolished 600 feet of Jerusalem’s wall and stole the gold and silver from the Temple. He also took loot from the palace and hostages. *** When Jehoash died, his son Jeroboam II reigned over Israel. Amaziah had to flee for his life but was killed and brought back to Jerusalem to be buried. His sixteen year old son, Uzziah was crowned king in his stead. *** Jeroboam II ruled Israel and worshiped idols. He reigned for 41 years and because of the Lord’s mercy, he was able to recover some of their land as God had promised through his prophet Jonah. When he died, his son Zechariah became king of Israel. *** In Acts, Apollos who was a excellent teacher and believer arrived in Ephesus from Egypt. Priscilla and Aquilla heard his teaching and realized he only knew about John’s baptism. They told him about Jesus’ baptism and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Apollos felt compelled to go to Achaia and was used to skillfully refute the arguments of the Jews there that opposed Christ. God greatly used him in Corinth. *** Meanwhile, Paul went to Ephesus and explained to a group of men about the Holy Spirit. He explained to them that John’s baptism was only to repent. Jesus’ baptism was to salvation and the baptism in the Holy Spirit was to have power to be his witness. All twelve of them prayed for Jesus’ baptism and Paul laid his hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. *** Paul would teach on the Sabbath at the synagogue and then take the believers and teach them daily how to walk with God. He did this for two years. God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. Handkerchiefs and aprons that he had touched carried the power to heal and cast out demons. *** Lord, may we return to this kind of power. It is our desire to see people set free and delivered in any way you see fit. Our nation needs you. The world needs you. We put all our hope in you.