Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Day 213 - I Have Heard Your Prayer

Daily Reading:  2 Kings 20, 21

".....This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says:  I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you........"  2 Kings 20:5

Footnote:  Over a 100-year period of Judah's history, Hezekiah was the only faithful king; but what a difference he made!  Because of Hezekiah's faith and prayer, God healed him and saved his city from the Assyrians.  You can make a difference too, even if your faith puts you in the minority.  Faith and prayer, if they are sincere and directed toward the one true God, can change any situation.

"He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists.  He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking him to anger."  2 Kings 21:6

Footnote:  Manasseh was an evil king, and he angered God with his sin.  Listed among his sins are occult practices -- sorcery and divination, and consulting mediums and spiritists.  These acts were strictly forbidden by God (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:9-13) because they demonstrate a lack of faith in him, involve sinful actions, and open the door to demonic influences . Today, many books, television shows, and games emphasize fortune-telling, seances, and other ocult practices.  Don't let desire to know the future or the belief that superstition is harmless lead you into condoning occult practices. 

21:16 Footnote:  Tradition says that during Manasseh's massive slaughter, Isaiah was sawed in two when trying to hide in a hollow log (see Hebrews 11:37, 38).  Other prophets may also have been killed at this time.

Keep reading -- 152 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

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