Hezekiah's prayer to God is a truly fascinating one, at just 39, he probably felt it was too early, considering he also didn't have an heir. His story teaches us a very lesson; God hears prayers and he sees our tears. Howbeit, in the extra 15 years that Hezekiah was given, he would go on to have the worst king Judah as a nation ever had, Manasseh took idolatry to overdrive. So what lessons can we take from this; should Hezekiah just have accepted his faith and be content God knows better or should he have been very deliberate with the extra years he was given? Whatever your answer, Hezekiah's legacy is Manasseh, the king on whom account God would decide to send Judah into exile too.

The nation of Israel eventually reaps the consequences of their idolatry as they are carried off into captivity. The Bible actually calls idols, worthless, and those who serve them, the same. It leaves them worthless. Next lesson, Hezekiah, the king of Judah is facing an enemy way too strong and powerful. What would you have done if you were Hezekiah? Hezekiah turns to God and the Lord helped him.

We read in amazement the ease with which kings are installed and then assassinated in Israel, a trend that would continue until Israel is carried off to exile. Lesson, you reap what you sow. In Judah, king Ahaz begins to reign and turns from every legacy the other kings of Judah left him, instead, he wanted to be more like the failing and volatile, kings of Israel. The result is a time of turmoil until Hezekiah his son takes over. Lesson, learn from those that have gone on ahead of you.

Your thought Jezebel was cruel, meet Athaliah the ruthless queen mother who would do anything for power, including killing children. In contrast to her, meet Jehoiada, my number one character mentor in the Bible, there is no one else as selfless as Jehoiada, let me know if you can name another. Under his leadership, one of the best kings Judah had, Joash would become king at just 7yrs old. Under his leadership, there will also be a genuine revival in the land. Jehoiada is my role model.

The most important lesson in today's devotional is the role marriage plays in influencing us. Judah that had been relatively immune from the idolatry Israel was suffering and the consecutive bad kings they've had, immediately plunges into both king of failings, idolatry and a terrible king. The only factor different now was that the king, Jehoram despite having such a great upbringing and father, Jehoshaphat, chooses to marry the daughter of Ahab. Marriages are forms of alliances, the nation will not recover from this alliance.

Elisha was uniquely anointed, God used him to display the nine gifts of the Spirit expressed in 1Cor 12. In chapter 6, Elisha made an axe head, contrary to the laws of physics, float. That is what God can do. My main lesson today is in chapter 7 when God uses Elisha to end a siege within the twinkle of an eye. When Elisha said it was going to happen, it seemed impossible. What has God said to you? Remember, with God, nothing is impossible.

No one, apart from Jesus Christ did as many creative miracles as the prophet Elisha. Elisha truly had a double portion on Elijah's anointing and he did twice as many miracles too. Today's lesson is from chapter 5 where Gehazi, Elisha's personal assistant allowed his greed get the best of him and he ended up a leper. A lack of character is a real handicap for anyone who desires to serve in public ministry. Competence is important, but Godly character must go with it.

Elijah confronts the king of Israel and gives him a message from God, "is there no God in Israel?". A question I feel God is still asking us today. Chapter two Elisha receives a double portion of Elijah's anointing but only after proving he was worthy by being tenacious and focus. Lesson here, great reward comes with focus and hardwork. Finally in chapter three, the new king of Israel, Joram was able to win against a difficult Moab because he formed an alliance with Jehoshaphat. Alliances in themselves are not bad, it is who they are entered into with that could become a problem.

Two lessons stand out in today's devotional; however powerful you are, you won't get away with murder, a day of reckoning is coming. Secondly, be careful those you enter into alliances with, though a good king, Jehoshaphat almost lost his life because he entered into alliance with a king that was doomed and almost shared his faith.

After experiencing a great victory over the prophets of baal, Elijah had to flee, this time, not because God said so, but because he was afraid. In the midst of everything going on, he falls into depression and ask God to take his life. Elijah's is a big lesson, first, all men of God are first ordinary men like anyone, it is the grace upon them that makes them outstanding, take that away, and they are like anyone. Secondly, a fall, a challenge is often right at the door whenever you experience a time of triumph. The lesson here is to stay watchful.