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.

Thurs.’s Devo - Good and Bad Kind of Judah

Read: 2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27; Romans 13:1-14; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 20:11

Amaziah had been put to death by his own people and they made his son, Uzziah king. Uzziah was only sixteen years old but he was mentored by Zechariah the priest and walked with the Lord most of his life. 

He sought the Lord’s help and God caused him to prosper and become very strong. He fought the Philistines, the Ammonites, and the Meunites and grew his territory. They feared him and paid him tribute. He built up his army and fortified his land. 

But, when Uzziah became strong, he let pride destroy him. He became unfaithful to God and took incense to burn into the holy place in the temple. The priest tried to stop him but not before his head broke out with leprosy. The priests hurried him out of the Temple and he was never able to enter again. He had to live apart from the people because of his leprosy and his son, Jotham had to rule his kingdom. 

When Uzziah died thy buried him in the field that belonged to the kings but not with the kings, because he was a leper.

Jotham was 25 years old when he became the king of Judah. He ruled 16 years. and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but the people still followed corrupt practices. He repaired the upper gate of the house of the Lord and built on the wall of Ophel. He also built cities in the hills of Judah and forts and towers. He prevailed against the Ammonites so they began to pay him tribute in silver, wheat and barley. He was mighty because he honored the Lord. He was 41 when he died and was buried in the city of David.

Jotham’s son, Ahaz began to reign at the age of 20. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord  and led the people into idolatry of all kinds. So, the Lord gave him over to the king of Syria and took a number of his people to Damascus. Also, the king of Israel, Pekah attacked Judah and killed 120,000 of them. 

An Ephraimite named Zichri killed Ahaz’s son, his palace commander and his second-in-command officer. They took 200,000 captive of the people of Judah and much spoil. Obed the prophet met the army coming with the captives on their way to Samaria. He told them that God was not happy with them for what they had done to their own brothers and sisters. They had enough sins piled up against them to add this to their list. So some of the chiefs of Ephraim told the army that they couldn’t bring their captives into the city and bring guilt upon them. They took the captives and the spoil and clothed those who were in need. They gave them food and drink, anointed them and carried those who were injured on donkeys to Jericho. They left them there and returned to Samaria.

King Ahaz sent for the help of the Assyrian army because the Edomites were attacking their land and taking captives. The Philistines also raided them because God was humbling Judah because of the sins of Ahaz and the nation. The Assyrian army didn’t help them, they came up against them instead. Ahaz took portions from the house of the Lord and the kings and princes houses to pay the Assyrians not to kill them, but it didn’t help. 

Instead of turning to the Lord and repenting, Ahaz went after the gods of the Syrians since it looked like their gods were stronger than his. He shut down the house of the Lord and set up altars to idols and other gods. He was not buried with the kings when he died. Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.

In Romans, Paul encouraged them to honor their rulers, because God had set them up to rule. Good rulers are there to enforce the laws which is a good thing. All true authority is instituted by God so to resist them is to resits God who has appointed them. His leaders enforce his laws. If we disobey the law then we deserve the consequences. 

We are to pay taxes to whom they are owed and respect the ones who deserve respect and honor those who deserve honor.

We owe everyone our love because God loves them. Many of God’s laws had to do with how we treat one another. Love is how we fulfill his law. 

We are not to walk in this world like the heathen do but to put on the armor of light and put on the Lord Jesus Christ so that we will not gratify our flesh.

Lord, may we put on your armor of light. You live in us so may we let your shine through all we do. May we honor what you honor and hate what you hate. 

Wed.’s Devo - The Kingdoms of Joash and Azariah

Read: 2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28; Romans 12:1-21; Psalm 22:19-31; Proverbs 20:8-10

Joash who came to power at the age of seven was a good king until the priest, Jehoiada died. Jehoiada and his wife had raised Joash and found him two wives with which he had sons and daughters.

He decided to restore the house of the Lord because Athalia had used the holy things of the Lord in the temple of Baal. Joash put a box outside the Temple and had the people bring the tax Moses had commanded. The people were happy to bring their tax to the Lord and with it they were able to repair the Temple and get it back in working order. 

Jehoiada died and the princes of Judah came to Joash and encouraged him to worship the idols and the Asherim. God sent prophets to try to get him to turn back to the Lord, but he wouldn’t listen. Jehoiada’s son Zechariah spoke to the people and asked them why they would want to stop prospering and forsake the Lord. The king had him stoned in the court of the house of the Lord. Joash showed no respect for Jehoiada by killing his son. As Zechariah was dying he prayed that the Lord would avenge his death.

God did, by sending the Syrian army against Judah. They destroyed all the princes of the people - the ones who enticed the king to worship idols -  and took much spoil. A very few Syrians did much damage to Judah because they had forsaken the Lord. They left Joash severely wounded and his own servants conspired against him and killed him on his bed. He was not buried with the tombs of the kings. Amaziah his son reigned in his place.

Amaziah was 25 years old and he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not with his whole heart. He had the ones who killed his father killed but let their children live according to God’s law. He set up new commanders since all the princes had been killed. He formed an army of 300,000 men and then hired 100,000 men from Israel for 100 talents of gold. But a man of God came and told him not to take the men from Israel with him because God was not with Israel now. When he asked him what he would do about the gold he had paid them, he answered that God was able to give him much more than this. So, Amaziah sent the army of Israel home. They were so humiliated and angry that they looted and killed 3,000 in the cities of Judah on their way home.

Amaziah led his army against the Edomites and killed 20,000. Amaziah brought home the gods of the Edomites and set them up and worshiped them. God sent a prophet to ask him why he would worship gods who could’t save their people and abandon the God who defeated them. When the king was disrespectful to the prophet, the prophet told him that God was determined to destroy him because he didn’t listen to what he said. 

Amaziah picked a fight with Israel since he was feeling so strong and invincible. Joash, the king of Israel tried to stop him but Amaziah wouldn’t listen, so they met at Beth-shemesh to fight. Judah was defeated by Israel and fled. Joash of Israel went to Jerusalem and broke down 400 cubits of the wall and seized all the silver and gold from the Temple. He took hostages back to Samaria. There had been a conspiracy planned from the time Amaziah turned away from the Lord and he fled to Lachish. They found him and put him to death in Lachish. He was brought back to Jerusalem and buried with his fathers in the city of David.

In Romans, Paul appeals to us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord as our act of worship to him. Instead of conforming to the world, we are to let God renew our mind so that what we go through will teach us to discern what is God’s will and what is good and what is evil. 

We are not to think more highly about ourselves than God wants us to, but to grow in faith. We all need each other and benefit by others gifts. Some have been gifted with the ability to prophecy, some to teach, some to serve, some to exhort, some to give and some to do acts of mercy. 

We are to do everything with sincerity of heart and hate what is evil and love what is good. We are to be diligent and passionate in our service to the Lord. We are to be hopeful, patient and constantly in prayer. We are to be generous to the needy and hospitable. 

We are to bless those who persecute us, rejoice with those who are rejoicing and weep with those who are weeping. We are to live peacefully with those around us and not ever think we are better than anyone. We are to let God avenge us against our enemies and be kind to them instead because our kindness might cause them to repent.

Lord, may all we do bring glory to your name. May we be your witnesses of righteousness in the world. 

Tues.’s Devo - Judah’s Trials -

Read: 2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21; Romans 11:13-36; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 20:7

Jehoshaphat died and his first born son Jehoram reigned in his place. Once he became established as king, he had his six brothers killed. 

When Jehoshaphat entered into a marriage convenant with Ahab he had taken Ahab’s dauthter Athaliah to marry his first born son Jehoram. She led him to worship Baal and to his downfall.

*** Edom and  Libna revolted from his rule because he had abandoned the Lord. God sent Elijah to tell him that because he had not walking in the ways of the good kings of Judah, but had followed after the evil ways of the kings of Israel and because he had killed his brothers who were better than him, God would bring a plague upon his people and he would lose his children and his wives and all his possessions. He would end up with a disease that would cause his bowels to come out.

*** God sent the Philistines and the Arabians to invade Judah and they looted the kings’ house and his family. They took all his children and wives except his youngest son, Jehoahaz.

*** Then Jehoram became diseased just like Elijah had prophesied. He died after two years and no one was sad. He was not even buried with the other kings. 

*** The people of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, also known as Jehoahaz their king. He was Jehoram’s only son left and was 22 years old. He followed the evil advice of his mother Athaliah whose father had been Ahab. She led him and the nation further into idolatry. 

Ahaziah went with Israel’s king, Jehoram into battle against the Syrians at Ramoth-gilead. Jehoram was wounded so after the battle, Ahaziah went to visit him in Jezreel. They both went out to meet Jehu who was coming to the city to take down the dynasty of Ahab. Jehu met the princes of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s brothers and killed them. Then he found Ahaziah who had fled and killed him. There was no one left in the house of Ahaziah to rule so his mother Athaliah reigned. She killed all the royal family that was left but Joash.  Jehoshabeath had hidden Joash who was an infant and raised him in the house of God. Jehoshabeath was married to the high priest, Jehoiada. 

When Joash had his seventh birthday, Jehoiada devised a plan to bring Joash out and crown him king. He involved the military and all the priests of the land. They all joined together to crown Joash king. When Athaliah heard all the commotion she ran to the temple to see what it was all about. She saw Joash standing in the place of honor with the crown on his head and heard all the people shouting “Long live the king.” She cried “Treason!” but the priest ordered her to be killed outside the gate.

Then Jehoiada made a covenant with the people and the king that they would be the Lord’s people. The people tore down the house of Baal and killed the priest of Baal before the altar. Jehoiada reestablished the worship of the Lord in the Temple and had Joash taken to sit on the throne in the kings’s house.

In Romans, Paul compared the Jews to the dough of the first fruits. If it is holy then the whole loaf will be holy. If the root of a tree is holy then all the branches will be holy. But, if some of the branches are broken off and another tree was grafted in, it will share in the nourishment of the root. The Gentiles were the tree that was grafted into the root which makes them holy. 

The bad branches were broken off because they refused to honor the Lord. Paul warned the Gentiles that that could happen to them also if they turned from the truth of God. God is both kind and severe. One day the natural branches will be grafted back into the tree and it will be glorious. 

The hearts of the Israelites would be hardened until all the Gentiles who are chosen are brought into the kingdom, then The Jews will be saved. This is God’s plan and it will stand.

Lord, we praise you for what you are doing in our day. We see you disarming principalities and bringing down strongholds that have been standing for years. Thank you for bringing truth and justice back to our world. May you arise and all your enemies be scattered. 

 Mon.’s Devo -  Jehoshaphat’s Righteous Rule 7-27-26

Read: 2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37; Romans 10:14-11:12; Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 20:4-6

Jehoshaphat returned from fighting with Ahab in which Ahab was killed. Jehu the seer came to meet him and asked him why he loved and helped the wicked who hate the Lord, speaking of Ahab and Israel. God was not pleased with him, but he did see how he had destroyed the Asheroth out of his land and set his heart to seek Him.

Jehoshaphat went out among the people to bring them back to the Lord. He appointed good and honest men of integrity to judge the people. He warmed the judges that they would be  making decisions for the Lord, so to be fair and honest. He told them to let the fear of God help in their decisions - to be impartial and not to take bribes. 

He did the same in Jerusalem and appointed Levites and priest to judge all the cases. He warned them not to do anything to incur guilt or the wrath of God. 

The Moabites, Ammonites and some of the Menuites came up against them to war. When Jehoshaphat was told this he set his face to seek the Lord. He proclaimed a fast and all Judah assembled to seek the Lord from all the cities of Judah. 

Jehoshaphat stood before the people and prayed for their safety and for God’s help. God gave them a word through the Levite, Jahaziel. He told them not to be afraid because this battle was not theirs but the Lord’s. They were to go to the ascent of Ziz and take up their position and then just stand. They would see the salvation of the Lord. 

Jehoshaphat bowed his head to the ground and all of the people followed. The Levites led them in praise.

They went to the place they had been told to go and Jehoshaphat encouraged them to believe in the Lord and have courage. The appointed singers sang to give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever. When they began to sing, the Lord set an ambush against their enemies and they were routed. They destroyed each other. 

When Judah looked from their watchtower all they saw were dead bodies strewn over the land. It took three days to collect all the spoil. On the fourth day they met and blessed the Lord. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy and singing. The fear of God came on all the kings around them when they heard what had happened. 

Jehoshaphat ruled over Judah 25 years and walked with the Lord all his life. The people still worshiped in the high places because their hearts were not turned wholly to the Lord. 

Jehoshaphat joined with Ahazial of Israel to build ships to go to Tarshish but the prophet Eliezer prophesied against him because he had joined with Israel. The ships wrecked and never made their destination. 

In Romans, Paul has just told the how God’s plan was to save the world - Jews and Gentiles. But, how can he do this if someone doesn’t go out and tell the Gentiles about the Lord? He reminded them of prophecies about how the Gentiles would make them jealous and angry because of their zeal for the Lord. He also reminds them that God said that he held out his hands to save his chosen ones but they refused to come to him.

God had not rejected his chosen people completely because Paul was one of them. Just like in the days of Elijah, he had faithful followers hidden away. His elect would see the truth and believe, the rest were given a spirit of slumber and could not see or hear the truth. Their rejection ended in the acceptance of the Gentiles, but the acceptance of the Gentiles into God’s kingdom will also lead to their return. It is a cycle to bring in all who will come to salvation.

Lord, thank you that you never give up on your chosen people. May we see righteous judgment return to our land with righteous leaders who honor and fear you. We pray for the salvation of our land and for Israel. 

Sun.’s Devo - Ahab’s End

Read: 2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34; Romans 9:22-10:13; Psalm 20:1-9; Proverbs 20:2-3

Jehoshaphat reigned after his father Asa died. He assigned the military to be stationed in the fortified cities. Jehoshaphat walked with the Lord like David did in his early days and God established his kingdom. He was blessed with riches and honor. He took down the high places and got the Asherim out of Judah.
Jehoshaphat sent priests and Levites throughout Judah to teach them God’s laws. The fear of the Lord fell on the kingdoms around Judah and some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts of silver. The Arabians brought him rams and goats. He built up store houses and had a great army. 

He made an alliance with Ahab the king of Israel through marriage. Ahab convinced him to go with him to war against Syria at Ramoth-gilead. The day before the battle Jehoshaphat wanted to inquire of the Lord to see if they would have success. Ahab brought all his Baal prophets who said that they would win. Jehoshaphat asked if Ahab had any prophets of the Lord to ask. Ahab knew of Micaiah but didn’t like him because he never gave him a good word. 

Ahab had Micaiah brought to them and asked what he saw. He was sarcastic at first, saying just what Ahab wanted to hear, but when Ahab told him to tell the truth he told them they would be scattered on the mountains like sheep with no shepherd. He had heard the Lord say that he would convince Ahab to go to war through the lies of his prophets. 

Ahab was so upset with Michaiah that he had him sent back to Israel and put in prison till he returned. Ahab and Jehoshaphat when to war the next day and Ahab disguised himself as a regular soldier but was killed by a random spear that hit in the seam of his breastplate. He died at sunset. Israel was now sheep without a shepherd.

*** In Romans, Paul explains that God makes men to carry out his wrath and also men to be vessels of his mercy to show his glory. These are not only Jews but Gentiles also. Hosea prophesied that the Gentiles would also be called sons of the living God. Isaiah prophesied that not all Israel would be saved - only a remnant. 

The Jews who were given the law had to have faith to become righteousness. Paul saw that there were some who had a zeal for God, but wanted to do it their way which did not end in righteousness. 

Those who live by the law will be judged by the law, but those who live by faith know that the word is in their heart and if they confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Jesus from the grave, they will be saved. This is true for the Jew and the Gentile. 

Lord, may our righteousness come from our faith in you. May our actions follow our faith. 

Sat.’s Devo - Asa, the Good King -

Read: 2 Chronicleas 14:1-16:14; Romas 9:1-21; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 20:1

Abijah’s son, Asa ruled after him. Asa was a good king, so the land had rest for 10 years. Asa got rid of the idolatry in Judah and commanded the people to serve the Lord. He built up fortified cities in Judah and knew that they had peace because they put their trust in the Lord. 

Zerah the Ethiopian came with a million-man army and Asa met him in the Valley of Zephathah at Mereshah. Zephathah means “place of watching” and Mereshah means “forget to be arrogant”. God was watching and Asa did forget to be arrogant and called on the Lord to help them. Asa’s army and God’s army conquered the huge army of Zerah and carried away very much spoil. 

God sent his prophet Azariah to tell Asa and all of Judah that the Lord would be with them as long as they sought him, but if they forsake him, he would forsake them also. He pointed out that Israel had no priests to teach them the law so they were constantly at war and distressed with the inhabitants of the lands. He warned Judah not to end up like Israel. 

When Asa heard this word he put away all the idols from the land and from the cities he had taken in Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the Lord and gather all his people and the ones who had deserted Israel to join with Judah. They gathered and sacrificed to the Lord and made a covenant to seek the Lord with all their heart and soul. Whoever refused to seek the Lord would be put to death. God gave them rest from their enemies.

Asa took his own mother from being the queen mother because she had made an Asherah pole. He cut it down and burned it at the brook Kidron. Asa remained true to the Lord all his days. He offered many sacrifices and gifts to the Lord. 

Asa had no war until his 35th year of being king. Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah so that no one could pass out of Israel to go to Judah. Asa took silver and gold from the treasury of the Lord and hired the Syrians to come and fight with them and break their covenant with Israel. They agreed and sent their army to fight Israel. They conquered many of their store cities and when Baasha heard what they had done, he stopped building Ramah. They took all the supplies they were using to build Ramah and built Geba and Mizpah instead.

God sent his seer Hanani to Asa to rebuke him for relying on the king of Syria instead of asking him to help. He reminded Asa of how God’s army had helped him against the Ethiopian’s huge army. He did foolishly by hiring the Syrians so now he would have continual wars to fight. Asa was so angry with this word that he put Hanani in stocks in prison. He began to take out his anger on his people also. 

In Asa’s 39th year he became diseased in his feet (his walk had become sinful). There was no cure and he died two years later. They buried him in the tomb he had had made for himself. 

In Romans, Paul explains that the law had been given to Israel, but not all were God’s true children. Abraham had two sons but only Isaac got the promise. Not all Israel were adopted into God’s family because it was never a matter of flesh, but of promise. Isaac was the son of the promise and Ishmael was not. Not all of Israel would received Christ. 

God chooses whose are his. He chose for Jacob, the second-born to rule above Esau the firstborn. They are a both a type of every man. We are born first of flesh and blood - Esau. Then we are born again of the spirit of Christ - Jacob. If we are Christians then we are all both first-born and second born because we have been born again! Our first born self is at enmity with God and is a sinner, but our second born self is a friend of God and redeemed from sin - righteous. 

Lord, you are the potter and thank you that you made us to serve you. We understand that you also make people for destruction and for your purposes on the earth. We trust in You and believe that your plan is good. 

Fri.’s Devo - Our Victory!

Read: 2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22; Romans 8:22-39; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 19:27-29

Rehoboam came back from Shechem to gather an army to fight Rehoboam, but the prophet Shemaiah came to him with a word from the Lord. He told him not to fight Jeroboam and his brothers but to go home. Rehoboam obeyed and returned to Jerusalem. He built up cities of defense in Judah and made store cities of food, oil, and wine. He armed the cities for protection. 

The priests and Levites that were scattered in the different tribes, left their homes and came to live in Judah because Jeroboam had fired them from being priests and replaced them with his own priests who would worship the golden calves he made and the goat idols. This only made Judah stronger.

Rehoboam married many wives and had many sons and daughters. He placed his sons throughout the land of Judah and put them over the districts and gave them abundant supplies and found wives for them. He chose Abijah, the first born of his favorite wife to succeed him as king. 

It took Rehoboam three years to become established and strong. Then he abandoned the law of the Lord along with the people. God sent Shishak king of Egypt to oppose him. He came with a huge army and it looked hopeless for Judah. Shemaiah the prophet told Rehoboam that they had abandoned the Lord so he had abandoned them. The king and his princes humbled themselves and repented. God heard their cry and gave them some deliverance. Instead of letting Egypt destroy them, he only raided them and made them his servants. Shishak took the gold shields and all the treasures of the Lord and of the king. 

Rehoboam had the shields replaced with bronze ones and had his men use them to protect him as he came and went into the temple to worship the Lord. 

Rehoboam died after reigning for seventeen years. His legacy was that he did evil and did not set his heart to seek the Lord. There had been continual war between him and Jehoboam. When Rehoboam died, his son Abijah became king. At that time Jeroboam had reigned over Israel for 18 years.

Jeroboam came to battle Abijah. Abijah had an army of 400,000 men and Jeroboam came with his army of 800,000. Abijah confronted Jeroboam and reminded him where he had come from. He had been a servant of Solomon who rebelled against him and against God. Abijah warned Jeroboam that just because he had a huge army didn’t mean that he was a match for the Lord. Judah had kept the law of the Lord and still worshiped the Lord and sacrificed to him daily. 

Jeroboam had surrounded Judah’s army, but the men of Judah cried to the Lord, blew the trumpets and shouted. They defeated Jeroboam and killed 500,000 of them, which was more than half of their army. Abijah pursued Jeroboam and took back some of his cities including Bethel. Jeroboam did not recover from this loss and Abijah grew mighty in his days.

In Romans, Paul expounds on the roll of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in God’s creation and it groans for our adoption as God’s sons to be revealed and the redemption of our bodies. We also wait patiently for that day. 

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and intercedes for us with groaning. It intercedes for the saints and prays the will of God over us. He makes sure that everything works for the good of those who are called to be God’s children. God predestined us to be his children and to be conformed to look like him in all we do. We are his image on the earth. He called us, is justifying us and will glorify us. 

Nothing can stand against us because God is with us. He justifies us to all who would try to condemn us. Jesus was raised to sit with God and be our advocate before God. Nothing will separate us from God’s love. It might look to us like we are sheep to be slaughtered but we are really conquerors through Christ. 

Lord, thank you that we are your children and have no need for fear. You cause us to sit with you in high places and give us victory over our enemies. Thank you!

Thurs.’s Devo - Solomon’s Kingdom

Read: 2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19; Romans 8:9-21; Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 19:26

Solomon brought up the Pharoah’s daughter he had married to the house he had built for her. He offered burnt offerings to the Lord daily and celebrated the Sabbaths, the new moons and the feasts. The Temple ran just like David had set it up to do. 

Solomon went to Ezion-geber and Eloth which was on the shore to examine the ships sent by Hiram. The ships brought 450 talents of gold to King Solomon.

The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame and came for a visit. She came with spices and gold and precious stones. She listened to Solomons wisdom and got a tour of his kingdom and how it operated. She was in awe and said it was even greater than she had heard. She saw how everyone in his household was happy and blessed. 

Solomon gave her anything she desired and she returned home blessed.

Solomon was given 666 talents of gold a year from explorers, merchants, the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land. Solomon had 200 shields made of beaten gold which were hung in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. He had an ivory throne made flanked with lions on each step and on his armrests. All of Solomon’s vessels were made of gold. Every three years ships from Tarshish brought gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks. 

All the kings of the earth sought Solomon for his wisdom and brought him gifts. He had thousands of horses and chariots. His kingdom ran from the Euphrates, to the land of the Philistines to the border of Egypt. 

When Solomon died, his son Rehoboam ruled. When Rehoboam went to Shechem to be crowned king, the laborers gathered to ask him if he was going to make them do heavy labor like Solomon did. These men were the foreigners who lived in the land of Israel. They were led by Jeroboam. Rehoboam told him he would get back to them in three days with his answer.

He consulted David’s advisors and they told him to promise them he would be kind to them and they would serve him forever. Then, Rehoboam went to his own piers and they told him to tell them that he would be even more demanding than his father was. 

When Rehoboam met three days later, he chose to take the advise of his piers and told them he would make their yoke even heavier that his father had. When they heard his answer they defected and separated themselves from the house of David. Rehoboam sent his taskmaster to get the people back but they stoned him. Rehoboam had to flee for his life. 

This was the split of Israel into two nations. The northern kingdom ran by Jeroboam was called Israel and the southern kingdom ran by Rehoboam was called Judah. 

In Romans Paul continues expounding on living by the law verses living by the Spirit. If we have Christ in our hearts then we are dead to sin and alive to God. It is our obligation now to live according to the Spirit. By the Spirit we can put to death the deeds of the body and be led by God’s Spirit. We are no longer slaves of fear, but sons of God and heirs with Christ. We have inherited eternal life. 

The sufferings of life can not compare to the glory that we are going to have revealed through us. 

Lord, I thank you that this is what is coming - your children wearing your glory and exhibiting that to the world. May we wear your glory with great humility and purpose. May the world know who your sons and daughters are. Hallelujah!!!

Wed.’s Devo - Solomon Dedicated the Temple

Read: 2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10; Romans 7:14-8:8; Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 19:24-25

Solomon stood on a platform he had made to speak to the people at the dedication of the Temple. He reminded them of God’s promise to his lineage that if they walked with the Lord and followed his commands, one of David’s offspring would always reign as king. He acknowledged that God who ruled the heavens and the earth and couldn’t be contained in a building had put his name in this place.

Solomon prayed that all who prayed in this place, God would hear their prayer and grant their request.  He prayed that if they as a nation had sinned against him and they repented and prayed in this howe that God would hear and forgive them. He prayed that if there was drought or famine or plague that if the people repented and prayed toward this house that God would hear their prayer and forgive them and deliver them. 

He prayed that if foreigners come and pray to him in this place that God would hear their prayer. If Israel was in war and prayed toward this city and the Temple that God would hear their prayer. If they sinned and are exiled from the land and pray toward this Temple and repent, that God would hear their prayer and forgive them and bring them back to this place. 

Solomon blessed the Lord to rest in the ark. He blessed the priest to be clothed with salvation and he blessed the people to rejoice in the goodness of God. He prayed that God would remember his love for David and bless him.

As soon as Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices and the glory of the Lord filled the temple and it was so thick that the priests couldn’t enter it. The people saw all of this and fell down with their faces to the ground and worshiped the Lord and gave him thanks. 

The people and Solomon offered thousands of oxen and sheep to the sound of praise and music. Solomon consecrated the middle court of the house of the Lord and offered burnt offerings there also. He held the feast for all seven days of Tabernacles. On the eighth day there was a solemn assembly. he people went home with great joy on the ninth day. 

Solomon had completed the building of his house and the Lord’s house. The Lord appeared to him again and told him that he had heard his prayer and would grant it. When the people were in trouble for any reason, if they prayed toward this house and repented, God would hear their prayers and help them. But, if Solomon turned from the Lord to worship other gods then he will pluck them up out of this land and this house that he built would not stand. Everyone will know that it was because they abandoned him.

In the twenty years of Solomon’s reign he had build the house of the Lord, his own house, rebuilt the cities that Hiram had given him and settled people in there. He took Hamoth-zobah and built Tadmor and other store cities. He built fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars and cities for his chariots and horses. He also built buildings in Jerusalem and Lebanon and all over his land. He drafted all the foreigners who he had conquered to do his forced labor. He put 250 men over them to oversee the work. 

In Romans, Paul describes the spiritual war that goes on in our hearts. God has written his law in our hearts and that is the law of the spirit. The written law wages war against it. The written law is religion and it will kill us because we can’t do it. Paul realized that war. He found the answer in Christ Jesus who sets us free from the law of sin and death. Jesus paid for our sin and we can no longer be condemned by it if we put our trust in Jesus. In him we are free to walk by the Spirit and not the law. That is where we find life and peace. 

Lord, thank you for your steadfast love that never ceases. Thank you for your mercies that never run out.