Thurs.’s Devo - The Foundation is Laid -

Read: Ezra 3:1-4:24; 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4; Psal 28:1-9; Proverbs 20:24-25

The returned exiles met during the month of the fall feasts. Jeshua the priest and Zerubbabel rose up as leaders to build the altar to burn offerings on. They did it like Moses had written it should be done. They offered the morning and evening sacrifices and all the ones prescribed in the book of Moses. 

They gave money to the masons and carpenters so they could buy cedar from Lebanon from the gold and silver Cyrus had given them. In the second month of the second year of their return they began to build the temple. When they laid the foundation they did it with the sound to trumpets, cymbals, and singing to praise the Lord. All the people shouted praise to God. But many who had lived during Solomon’s temple cried when they saw this foundation laid. Others shouted for joy. Their sound was heard from far away.

Their adversaries came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the families and asked to help saying that they worshiped the same God. But, Zerubabbel and the leaders were not deceived by them and wouldn’t allow them to help. Then they tried to intimidate them and frustrate their plans. They continued troubling them all the time Cyrus was king and into Darius’ reign. 

When Ahasuerus became king of Persia they sent him a letter accusing the Jews in Jerusalem calling them rebellious and their city evil. The letter told the king of their plans to build a temple and a wall and when it was finished he would have no power in that city. 

Ahasuerus responded by telling them to stop the building of the temple until they could research the archives to see if what they were saying was true. These instigators were quick to bring the letter and read it to the Jews and forced them  stop building. They stopped building till the second year of the reign of Darius. 

Building the Temple was a natural event that symbolizes a spiritual concept that Paul was eluding to. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, so we are also building a house for the Lord. We have the same adversaries that the Jews faced in the time of Ezra. We face opposition and frustration and discouragement, but we have to keep building and not let the enemy win. 

In Corinthians, Paul continued to explain the wisdom of God in sending Jesus to be our Savior. If the wise of the world had understood God’s plan, they wouldn’t have crucified Christ. The prophets foretold of a thing that God was going to do that no one could have imagined. But these things are known to believers because of the Holy Spirit who knows the deep things of God. We have received that Spirit so we know them too. 

The natural man can not understand the things of the spirit because they are spiritual. But, the spiritual man can judge all things because he has the mind and Spirit of Christ.   

Paul tells the church at Corinth that because they have not conformed to the Spirit of Christ and still live with jealousy, and strife then Paul cannot talk to them as spiritual people. He can’t give them the meat of God’s word because they are still like infants who can only drink milk. 

Lord, may we not be infants who live according to our past self. May we be new creatures who had laid our lives on the altar and have not turned back to our past sins. May we walk in maturity and be your friend and not your adversary. May we build your temple in our hearts.

Wed.’s Devo - Cyrus’ Decree -

Read: Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23

One of the first things Cyrus did the year he became the king of Persia was to make a proclamation that God had charged him to rebuild the temple to him in Jerusalem. He asked for any volunteers of the Israelites who wanted to go do this. 

Cyrus brought out all the things that had been taken from Solomon’s temple and put them in Mithrdath’s care. It was over 6,000 gold and silver vessels. They would all be taken with the volunteers to put in the new temple. 

Fifty thousand Israelites responded and went. Of them were Levites, temple servants, sons of Solomon’s servants, heads of families, and some whose genealogy couldn’t be proved. Their families had not been recorded in the genealogies so they were excluded from being priests until they could get a priest to consult with the Urim and Thummim. 

They settled in their own towns in Israel. It had bee 70 years since Israel had gone into captivity and now the words of the prophets were coming to pass.

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he begins by saying that the cross of Christ has no affect to the unbeliever but it is the power of God to save the believer. He contrasts what the world thinks is wisdom and what God thinks is wise. Jesus was a stumbling block to the ones who thought they were wise. Those people required proof, but Paul preached that Christ crucified. It sounded foolish and weak to the unbeliever, but was actually wise and stronger than anything they had to offer. 

Paul pointed out that most of those in the church were not what the world would call wise, prosperous or of nobility, but God chose them to shame the ones who were wise, prosperous and of nobility. 

Paul was an example of the weakness of God. He walked in humility and fear but could demonstrate God’s power which was much more powerful than the wisdom of man. 

If we know Christ then his wisdom is in us and we do not need to ever be intimidated by the world. We have the power of God, the mind of Christ, the Holy Spirit and the written promises of God. 

Lord, may we walk in humble confidence knowing that no one can stand against You and You are in us. Our confidence and our hope is in you alone. May we walk in your wisdom and grace and may our lives be a living testimony of who you are.

Tues.’s Devo - The Last Kings of Judah

Read: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21

Josiah orchestrated a Passover that surpassed all other Passovers since the days of Samuel. Josiah contributed thousands of lambs and goats and bull for the people. The priests and Levites carried out their services according to all Josiah asked and the law required. There was much celebration and joy in the city.

Josiah heard that Neco king of Egypt was going to fight at Carchemish and went to oppose him. The king of Egypt told him he was not coming up against him, but Josiah fought him anyway. Josiah was wounded in the battle and died. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned his death. His son Jehoahaz was made king but only reigned 3 month because the king of Egypt took him to Egypt and set his brother Eliakim over Judah and made them pay him tribute of silver and gold.

The king of Egypt changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim was evil and fought against Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and was taken in chains to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar also took the vessels out of the house of the Lord  and took them to Babylon. 

Jehoiachin became the next king and he was also evil. He only reigned three months and ten days because Nebuchadnezzar had him brought to Babylon and made his brother Zedekiah the king over Judah and Jerusalem. He ruled for 11 years and was evil. He refused to listen to Jeremiah and he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and polluted the land with idolatry.

God sent many prophets to bring Judah back to him but they mocked them and refused to listen. So God brought the king of the Chaldeans against them who killed their young men in war and had no compassion on the people. They took all that was of value from the Temple and the palace of the king and burned down the Temple and took the people into exile to Babylon. 

The land lay desolate for 70 years. Cyrus became king in Persian and just like Jeremiah had prophesied, he commanded that a house be built in Jerusalem for the Lord. He asked for volunteers of the Jews to go and build it. 

Today we begin to read the first letter Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. Paul had heard that they were arguing about which leader they followed. He encouraged them to be united and be of the same mind and judgment. 

He told them that none of them were lacking in any gift. They were all waiting for Christ to be revealed and prayed that they would be sustained to the end so that they could stand guiltless before him. 

Lord, may we stand guiltless before you in the end. May we read nothing but Jesus crucified, buried and resurrected. May we not  let our different denominations divide us and may we fear only you. Thank you that you are our light and there is nothing else for us to fear.

Mon.’s Devo - The Faithful and the Unfaithful

 ead: 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:8-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19

Manasseh’s repentance was real. He fortified the city of David with an outer wall and put army commanders in all the fortified cities. He cleansed the Temple of all idols and commanded Judah to serve the Lord. The people still worshiped in the high places but they worshiped the Lord there.

When Manasseh died, his son Amon ruled. He undid all the good Manasseh had done. He brought back the foreign gods and  worshiped them which much guilt for Judah. Some of his own servants did a coup and killed him in his own house. The people of the city killed his murderers and made Amon’s son Josiah king. 

Josiah was only 8 when he became king. When he was 16 he began to seek the Lord. He began to purge Judah of idolatry and at 20 he had cleansed the land and the Temple. He met with Azaliah, the governor of Jerusalem, and the recorder to plan to restore the damages in the Temple. They went to the high priest and gave him the money collected and told him to use it to repair the Temple. The priests and Levites hired workers to repair the Temple. 

While they were working in the Temple, they found a copy of the law and brought it to Josiah. When he read it, he tore his clothes. He realized how far they had gone from serving the Lord and what the consequences would be. 

Josiah sent for a prophetess and asked her what the Lord was saying to Judah. She told him that the curses written in the law would fall on Judah, but because Josiah had sought the Lord and had a humble heart, it would not happen during his days. 

Josiah gathered the elders together and the people and read to them the words of the law. Josiah made a covenant before the Lord to walk according to God’s ways and follow his law. He made all the people join with him in this. He took away all the abominations from the land and made all who were present serve the Lord. Josiah remained faithful to the Lord all his days.

In Romans, Paul finishes his letter. He names many of those who labored along side him and he wanted to introduce to the Romans. He warned them of those who would want to cause division among them. They did not serve the Lord but their desire was to deceive the people. He told them to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. He encouraged them that Jesus would soon crush Satan under their feet. He prayed for the grace of Jesus Christ to be with them. 

Lord, may we be hopeful as we wait for your kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. May we stay true to your Word and walk in your ways all our days as Josiah did. 

Sun.’s Devo - Trust in the Lord -

Read: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:7; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18

Sennacherib of Assyria came against the fortified cities of Judah and was on his way to Jerusalem. Hezekiah had his men stop the water from the spring that was outside the city so when Sennacherib came he would not find water. He built a wall that included the spring and built up towers and repaired the wall that had been torn down. He had weapons made and secured his army. 

Hezekiah met with people at the gate of the city and told them not to be afraid because the God who fought for them was much more powerful than the horde that was fighting for Syria. The people believed what Hezekiah said.

Sennacherib sent messengers to try to intimidate him. They boasted of all the nations they had conquered and how their gods were not able to help them. They boasted that Judah’s God would not be a match for them. They came back many times and blasphemed God and tried to discourage the people. 

Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed when they heard the messages and the Lord sent an angel to cut off all the officers in the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib returned home disgraced. His own sons killed him with the sword. God had saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem. Many brought gifts to the Lord and to the king. 

After this, Hezekiah became sick and was dying. He prayed to the Lord and the Lord heard his prayer. God healed him of his disease and gave him 15 more years to live. Hezekiah became proud in his heart because he was very wealthy. When his time came, he died and was buried in the upper part of the tombs of the sons of David. All Judah honored him and his son Manasseh ruled in his place.

Manasseh was 12 when he came to be king and he reverted back to idolatry like Hezekiah’s father Ahaz. He rebuilt all the pagan altars that  Hezekiah had torn down. He burned his sons in the fire and consulted fortune-tellers and sorcerers. He set up an image of an idol in the house of the Lord and led Judah to do more evil than the nations had before them. 

God sent prophets to persuade him to return to the Lord, but he refused to listen. He was captured by the king of Assyria and taken to Babylon with hooks and in chains. There he repented and turned to the Lord. God heard his prayer and gave him back his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.

In Romans, Paul was at the end of his letter and wrote that he hoped to visit them on his trip to Spain, but at the present time he was going to Jerusalem to bring the saints provisions. 

Paul asks them to pray for him that he might not be delivered to the unbelievers in Judea and that the contributions he has for the believers in Jerusalem would get to the right people. He looked forward to seeing them and being refreshed by their joy in the Lord. 

Paul introduces Phoebe who has been a servant of the church and prays that they welcome her and provide her needs while she is there. He also is sending Prisca and Aquila who risked their lives for him. He mentions others that would be coming so they would know to trust them. 

To be a Christian then was dangerous. They gave up their safety to follow Christ and yet they were safer in God’s arms than they were before.

Lord, both our stories point to the fact that you are the one who is stronger than anything the world can manufacture. May we trust you in our world of unknowns and put our hope in you. 

Sat.’s Devo - Hezekiah’s Reform

Read: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15

Hezekiah did a radical reform in the nation. It is incredible that his father was such an evil man who practiced all sorts of idolatry, but as soon as Hezekiah became king, he turned the whole nation around in two months. 

Hezekiah and his princes met in Jerusalem and agreed to make an announcement that they would celebrate the Passover for the first time in years. They couldn’t do it on the appointed time because they priests were not consecrated yet, but the law made provisions if it was impossible to celebrate the Passover in the first month, is said they could do it in the second month.

They sent messengers about the Passover to the cities of Ephraim, Manasseh and all the way to Zebulun. Many men laughed when they heard the announcement, but some humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 

When the people arrived they helped to remove all the altars that had been set up to worship other gods and took threw them into the Kidron brook. The priests slaughtered the Passover lamb on the 14th day of the month. When the priests who had not consecrated themselves saw this, they were convicted to get cleansed so they could act as priests. Many of the people had also not consecrated themselves so the priest sprinkled them with blood and Hezekiah prayed that God would not hold it against them. The Lord heard Hezekiah’s prayer and the people were covered. 

It was such a success that the people stayed another week to celebrate and offer their sacrifices to the Lord. There was great joy in Jerusalem like in the days of Solomon. God heard their singing and was pleased.

When it was time to go home, the people went throughout  the cities in Judah and broke down the Asherim poles and all the idol altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephriam and Manasseh. 

Hezekiah set up the divisions of the priests so the house of the Lord would continue to offer sacrifices to the Lord every day and on all the appointed times.  He followed the law of Moses exactly and the people gave abundantly to the house of the Lord. They had more than enough to provide for the priests and Levite, so Hezekiah had them prepare chambers where they could store all the contributions. 

In Romans, Paul encourages us to live like Jesus did who was more concerned about others than himself. He bore our reproach, so we should endure with courage every day we live. Our goal should be to live in harmony with one another so that our lives glorify Jesus and the Lord. 

It had been prophesied that the hope of the Gentiles would come out of Israel. Paul is proud that his ministry that is built on nothing but Christ. His calling is to the Gentiles so that those who have never heard of Jesus might know what he did for them and how they can trust him and become God’s children.

Lord, may our lives be built on You. May we fulfill out destiny everyday of loving and living Christ. May we fear you and be called your friend.

  

Fri.’s Devo - Hezekiah Consecrates the Temple

Read: 2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Romans 14:1-23; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 20:12

Hezekiah came to reign when his father Ahaz died. His father had shut the doors of the house of the Lord and brought much idolatry into Judah. Hezekiah did the opposite. He opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired everything his father had destroyed. He called all the priests and Levites and had them consecrate themselves, then remove all the filth out of the Holy Place. He did this the first month he came to be king.

Hezekiah understood that the reason the nation was weak and falling apart was because they had forsaken the Lord. He admonished the priests and Levites to set everything up so they could return to the commands of the Lord and worship him the way the law said. The Levites worked and brought out all the unholy things and carried them to the Keaton brook. They consecrated themselves and the Temple. It took only 8 days to do all this so on the 16th day of the month it was done.

Hezekiah gathered all the officials of the city and took them to the house of the Lord. They brought 7 bulls, 7 goats and 7 lambs to the sanctuary for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel. 

The Levites made music with cymbals, harps and lyres and the priests blew trumpets. They offered the burnt offerings, sang to the Lord and worshiped to the sound of trumpets. When all the animals had been offered the king and all the people bowed and worshiped the Lord. Then he invited all who had brought an offering to bring it to the priests. They brought thousands of peace, burnt, and drink offerings to the Lord. The people rejoiced because God had provided for his people to do this and it happened so quickly.

Sin is gradual, but repentance and restoration is immediate. 

In Romans, Paul tells us not to judge each other’s conscience. It takes time to build faith to understand the freedom we have in Christ. Everyone comes to the Lord with different pasts and beliefs. It takes time to rest in the love of the Lord and walk in freedom. Everyone worships God according to their understanding so Paul tells us not to judge them according to our understanding. God sees the heart. In the end we will all stand before God and give an answer for our lives. 

We are not to discourage others in their walk with the Lord or condemn them in the way they walk out their walk with the Lord. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If we serve Christ, then we are accepted by God. So, we should not be arguing about how a person does this, but look for what we agree about and build relationships around the things we agree on. 

Paul also encourages those who live in freedom not to flaunt it in front of those who live more lawfully. Our faith is personal and between us and God. We just need to live in freedom of conscience. The Holy Spirit is our guide to help us know what is good and right.

Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit in our lives. May we live in a way that is not a stumbling block for others but a stepping stone to You. May our hearts honor you and shine your light to others.