Sat.’s Devo - God is Great

Read: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18 Hezekiah carried out a spiritual reform bringing the nation back to the Lord and the devil was not happy. He sent the army of Assyria, the most powerful nation on the earth at that time, against Judah. They laid siege to Jerusalem will and tried to break down its walls. *** Hezekiah had the weak sections of the wall repaired. He reinforced his terraces and manufactured weapons and shields. He appointed army officers and met with them. He encouraged them that the God they served was much more powerful than the army of mere men outside their gates. *** King Sennacherib of Assyria tried to intimidate the soldiers and officers reminding them of all the powerful nations they had brought down and how none of their gods had been able to save them. He and his men mocked Hezekiah and their god. They talked like they were dealing with idols made from human hands instead of the God whose hands made them. *** Hezekiah called on Isaiah and together, they prayed. God sent his angel who killed 185,000 Assyrians in one night (2 Kings 19). Sennacherib left in disgrace. He was later killed in the temple of his god by his own sons. *** From that time, Hezekiah experienced peace, prosperity, and respect from the other nations. He became fatally sick and prayed to the Lord reminding him of his faithfulness. God healed him and gave him 15 more years to live. Instead of being grateful and humble, he became proud. God promised to bring judgement on him and the nation. Hezekiah repented, so God held off his judgment until after he died. *** Hezekiah’s son Manasseh became king and reigned 55 years. He worshipped idols and encouraged the nation to join him. He filled the land with idolatry. He even put an idol in the Temple of the Lord. *** Manasseh ignored all the warnings of the prophets and was eventually taken captive by Assyria who led him by a ring in his nose, in chains to Babylon. He repented to the Lord and God brought him back to Jerusalem to run his kingdom. Now, Manasseh knew that God was the only God. *** In Romans, Paul was ending his letter. He was on his way to visit them in Rome but was going to Jerusalem first. The different churches had donated gifts to give to the poor believers in Jerusalem. They had suffered the most for their faith in Jesus and since the other believers saw them as their spiritual fathers, they gave generously. ***Paul mentions many heroes in the ministry by name, thanking them for their service and faithfulness to the Gospel. *** Lord, help us to join in your ministry on the earth. May we use our gifts to honor you and help others.