Fri.’s Devo - Spiritual Reform

Read: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22: Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 25:1-15 Hezekiah sent out invitations to all 12 tribes in Israel to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and return to the Lord. They couldn’t be ready on the fifteenth of Nissan so they planned it for the same time the next month. *** When the people heard the proclamation, many laughed and scoffed, but people from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came. The people of Judah also had a heart to return to the Lord. The people’s response shamed the priests and Levites so they purified themselves and offered the Passover Lamb. Many of the people outside of Judah had not purified themselves so the Levites had to offer their lambs for them. Hezekiah prayed for them and they were allowed to eat the Passover meal with them. *** The celebration lasted seven days and the people sang and gave thanks to the Lord and enjoyed fellowship. They enjoyed it so much that they extended the celebration another week. They had not celebrated this joyfully and grand since the days of Solomon. When it was time to go home, the priests blessed the people and they returned to their home towns. They got rid of their idolatrous images and altars. *** Hezekiah established the priesthood to continue throughout the year. He required the people to bring to the Temple the requirements to keep the sacrifices going. He contributed great amounts of animals to the Temple from his personal supply. The people responded so heartily that they had to build storehouses to hold it all. They had enough to generously provide for the priests and Levites and their families. *** In Romans, Paul tells the mature believers to be sensitive to others convictions like Jesus was. Jesus took the insults of his friends on himself as well as all our sins. *** Paul wanted to remind them that God was the source of all hope. He can fill us with joy and peace when we trust in Him. Lord, may we get our strength and joy from you. You are the one we put our hope in.