31 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Outside Looking In" Ezra 10:13-15
Then all the assembly answered with a loud voice, As you have said, so must we do.
13But the people are many and it is a time of heavy rain; we cannot stand outside. Nor can this work be done in a day or two, for we have greatly transgressed in this matter. 14Let our officials stand for the whole assembly; let all in our cities who have foreign wives come by appointment, and with each group the elders of that city and its judges, until the fierce wrath of our God over this matter is turned away from us. 15Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supported them. (Ezra 10:13-15)
The other day I was planning to a Chinese restaurant here in Elizabeth City for lunch. When I pulled in the parking lot, there were no cars in the lot at all. The "Open" sign was in the window, but when I went to pull open the door, I found it locked. I stood outside the door and peered through the glass to see if there were customers inside. All I could see were empty tables. The proprietors were not there, either. Mildly disappointed, my friend and I elected to go somewhere else to eat that day.
Have you ever been on the "outside looking in?" Few people enjoy being excluded. Its a feeling of exclusion-that a barrier has been placed between where you are and where you want to be. Some people feel excluded because of the color of their skin or their economic background. Others feel excluded because they are considered an "outsider" as they were not born and raised in the community where they live. Some feel excluded because they did not have educational opportunities. However the exclusion happens, whether real or perceived, it is always sad and brings with it a feeling of rejection and isolation.
Ezra sensed that he and his people were on the outside looking in as well. Though they may not have done this intentionally, the Jews had broken their covenant with God by marrying foreign or pagan women. They now understood that because so many of the Jews had done this, it threatened to have the blessing of God removed from their venture. Ezra called them into a solemn assembly, and together they resolved to take care of this situation even though it was so widely pervasive. Only two opposed them (there will be always those in opposition, but this should not keep us from doing the will of God). Ezra acted decisively, and managed to quickly lead his people from being on the outside looking in, to being on the inside looking out! Had he waited any longer, or discussed it over a period of time, he would have likely experienced greater opposition.
Do you feel on the outside looking in today? As far as God is concerned, the only thing that prevents you from being on the inside is the condition of your own heart.
Have a blessed day!
Prayer: Dear God I do not desire to be excluded from Your will today. Actually, when I am in disobedience, I am the one who is shutting You out and not the other way around. Help me to be in obedience today that I may see clearly Your purpose in my life. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
27 August 2009 Devotion for Today "It is Your Duty" Ezra 10:3-4
3Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God; and let it be done according to the Law. 4 Arise, for it is your duty, and we are with you. Be strong and brave and do it. ( Ezra 10:3-4)
Earlier this month we watched proudly as our son Jared graduated from basic training at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey. The ceremony opened as the recruits marched in formation on the parade ground. At first it was difficult to pick our son out from the formation of his recruit company- they were all standing stiffly at attention- and did not recognize him until soon before his name was called to receive his training certificate from the commander and to shake hands with the Admiral. The band played and the drill team performed their routine. There were speeches made by the commander of the training center, and by Admiral Thad Allen, commandant of the US Coast Guard- hero of the relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. At the close of his speech, Admiral Allen said, "You are now members of the United States Coast Guard. You are Semper Paratus. Go now and do your duty to your country! "
Duty- outside of the military and those vested to look after our needs of public saftey, this is not a word we hear stressed very much in the 21st century. Duty, to some, is a four-letter-word. We have been used to being able to do what we want to do when we want to do it for so long now that we forget that there are others who are prepared to sacrifice their lives in order that we may enjoy the rights that were once granted to us as privileges. The Admiral said that it was the duty of the US Coast Guard to go out when others are coming in. He was referring to going out in cutters and boats, planes and helicopters to rescue those in danger of being lost at sea. As he spoke, I reflected upon my duty as a pastor and minister of Jesus Christ. When storms of life blow upon the world, most are going in to seek refuge. But as ministers, we go out to find the lost souls in danger of drowning in the sea of sin. Going out in a storm is seldom pleasant, and fraught with peril of all kinds, yet the reward of saving a life overrides those horrific tasks. We have a job to do, and we too are Semper Paratus (always ready)!
Ezra and his colleagues confronted a storm of another kind- a spiritual storm surrounded by a hurricane of compromise. As I mentioned last time, Ezra was confronted with the fact that many if not most of the priests dedicated to perform their ritual duties in the Temple were defiled by pagan wives. The situation was far worse than he had imagined. It would have been easy to say, "let's just go along with it, and in a couple of generations it will all be right again." But he also knew that God would neither tolerate nor accept the sacrificial offerings and other rites performed in worship at the Temple. Ezra had a duty to perform, and it was not a pleasant one. He risked alienating the people he had worked so hard to lead, and for whom he had already sacrificed so much. To his amazement, the leaders of his people rallied around him in support. Not only did the priests put away their pagan wives, but the people did as well.
Would that we were always as ready to do our duty as Ezra and his people were. You will have a job to do today. To be sure the pressure to skirt around the rules or to make something fit will be there constantly asking you to fall in with the others and compromise. But you have a duty far greater than the needs of your popularity. Your duty is to God. Go and do it today!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
26 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Pilgrims in an Unclean Land" Ezra 9:6-15
6 And I said: “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens. 7 Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been very guilty, and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plunder, and to humiliation, as it is this day. 8 And now for a little while grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage. 9 For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem. 10 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments, 11 which You commanded by Your servants the prophets, saying, ‘The land which you are entering to possess is an unclean land, with the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from one end to another with their impurity. 12 Now therefore, do not give your daughters as wives for their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons; and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your children forever.’ 13 And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, since You our God have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such deliverance as this, 14 should we again break Your commandments, and join in marriage with the people committing these abominations? Would You not be angry with us until You had consumed us, so that there would be no remnant or survivor? 15 O LORD God of Israel, You are righteous, for we are left as a remnant, as it is this day. Here we are before You, in our guilt, though no one can stand before You because of this!”
(Ezra 9:6-15)
Some years ago, when we were still living in Germany occasionally we made trips across the former "Iron Curtain" into what used to be communist countries. To me it seemed like going back into time. Many of the people there, particularly the peasants, still rode horses or drove horse or mule-driven wagons. Steam locomotives could still be seen pulling trains. It was almost nostalgic to see how people lived. However, there was also some unpleasantness. Many of the rural villages we visited we noticed that people used "the little house out back", for they did not have indoor plumbing. Thick black coal smoke poured out of their chimneys. In the industrial areas, a putrid haze of sulfuric gas hovered above and my lungs burned every time I breathed. Decaying paint and dilapidation seemed to dominate over what beauty there was. I did not want to remain in those countries for long- especially when it rained. The acrid smoke and acidic rains bit deeply into the finish of my car and I could not find a car wash anywhere. Scores of prostitutes lined the streets at the edge nearly every major town. Thugs and hooligans were everywhere, and dirty little gypsy children threatened your wallets. More than once I wanted to say, "I'm a pilgrim in an unclean land."
Ezra the Prophet probably felt this way when he returned to Jerusalem. However, the decay and dilapidation he found in the city was nothing to be compared to the deterioration of the hearts of his own people, the Jews. He was so astonished at how far down the Jews had gone that he could not even look up to heaven to pray. They had not long been released from their captivity, and the reason for it was because of the punishment for their sins. The Jews had only been repatriated a few short years and it did not take them long to revert back to their old sinful ways. One of the things that particularly concerned Ezra was the way that they had become polluted by marrying the pagans who occupied the area where they resettled. This was expressly forbidden by God, but practicality drove them to it. They felt that there were not enough suitable wives among the Jewish women to give their sons as mates. More importantly, the pagan families held the deed to the lands which the Jews once occupied. If they could marry into the pagan families, they thought that they could regain control of the lands they lost before the time of exile.
To Ezra this mattered little. If God had brought His people back, He would provide for them without polluting them. It would not take the Jews long to slide back into rebellion and disintegrate in their faith and devotion to God. In the latter half of this chapter, Ezra repents on behalf of his people so that God would not punish them again.
There is pressure all around us to slide into the customs of the pagans around us even today- especially in our lifestyles as Christians. The Scriptures tell us "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Cor. 6:14, KJV).
Some things were just never intended to be! Although cats and dogs may well have close association, and may even evidence affection for one another on occasion, yet there is a depth of intimacy and oneness that is beyond their ability to experience. A cat and dog may associate, but they can never assimilate. This is also true for other vital relationships in life.
Prayer: Lord, the world around me seeks to pollute my body as well as my mind. We lose our influence in the world when we try to become part of it. Forgive me for my temptation even to think like the world. Do not allow the world's philosophies to dominate or pollute me today. I do not regard sinners with disdain, but help me adopt such a holy lifestyle and character that people will want what I have and not decide to stick to what they've got.
In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen
(Ezra 9:6-15)
Some years ago, when we were still living in Germany occasionally we made trips across the former "Iron Curtain" into what used to be communist countries. To me it seemed like going back into time. Many of the people there, particularly the peasants, still rode horses or drove horse or mule-driven wagons. Steam locomotives could still be seen pulling trains. It was almost nostalgic to see how people lived. However, there was also some unpleasantness. Many of the rural villages we visited we noticed that people used "the little house out back", for they did not have indoor plumbing. Thick black coal smoke poured out of their chimneys. In the industrial areas, a putrid haze of sulfuric gas hovered above and my lungs burned every time I breathed. Decaying paint and dilapidation seemed to dominate over what beauty there was. I did not want to remain in those countries for long- especially when it rained. The acrid smoke and acidic rains bit deeply into the finish of my car and I could not find a car wash anywhere. Scores of prostitutes lined the streets at the edge nearly every major town. Thugs and hooligans were everywhere, and dirty little gypsy children threatened your wallets. More than once I wanted to say, "I'm a pilgrim in an unclean land."
Ezra the Prophet probably felt this way when he returned to Jerusalem. However, the decay and dilapidation he found in the city was nothing to be compared to the deterioration of the hearts of his own people, the Jews. He was so astonished at how far down the Jews had gone that he could not even look up to heaven to pray. They had not long been released from their captivity, and the reason for it was because of the punishment for their sins. The Jews had only been repatriated a few short years and it did not take them long to revert back to their old sinful ways. One of the things that particularly concerned Ezra was the way that they had become polluted by marrying the pagans who occupied the area where they resettled. This was expressly forbidden by God, but practicality drove them to it. They felt that there were not enough suitable wives among the Jewish women to give their sons as mates. More importantly, the pagan families held the deed to the lands which the Jews once occupied. If they could marry into the pagan families, they thought that they could regain control of the lands they lost before the time of exile.
To Ezra this mattered little. If God had brought His people back, He would provide for them without polluting them. It would not take the Jews long to slide back into rebellion and disintegrate in their faith and devotion to God. In the latter half of this chapter, Ezra repents on behalf of his people so that God would not punish them again.
There is pressure all around us to slide into the customs of the pagans around us even today- especially in our lifestyles as Christians. The Scriptures tell us "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Cor. 6:14, KJV).
Some things were just never intended to be! Although cats and dogs may well have close association, and may even evidence affection for one another on occasion, yet there is a depth of intimacy and oneness that is beyond their ability to experience. A cat and dog may associate, but they can never assimilate. This is also true for other vital relationships in life.
Prayer: Lord, the world around me seeks to pollute my body as well as my mind. We lose our influence in the world when we try to become part of it. Forgive me for my temptation even to think like the world. Do not allow the world's philosophies to dominate or pollute me today. I do not regard sinners with disdain, but help me adopt such a holy lifestyle and character that people will want what I have and not decide to stick to what they've got.
In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
25 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Good News and Bad News" Ezra 9: 1-5
25 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Good News and Bad News" Ezra 9: 1-5
1 When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass.” 3 So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down astonished. 4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me, because of the transgression of those who had been carried away captive, and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.
5 At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God. (Ezra 9: 1-5)
Some one announced to me the other day, "I've got good news and bad news!" We hear this all the time. Usually the person making the announcement will ask, "What do you want to hear first, the good news or the bad news?" I usually will ask to hear the bad news first, so that the good news that I hear later will help console me when I hear the bad news. Otherwise, if I hear the bad news last, I will be left with the gnawing ache of disappointment.
There is also an old lesson that says that if the news sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Have you ever been so excited by some good news or a new development that you were so certain would be the answer to your problem that you may have shouted for joy, only to discover, to your bitter disappointment that the news you heard was not exactly as you had hoped? This was what Ezra the prophet discovered after his period of fasting. At first they had searched for priests to serve in the newly dedicated and rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. Everything went well with this despite earlier opposition. But they could not begin the rituals until priests were found from the tribe of Levi. In the last chapter, a family of this tribe were found and presented themselves to Ezra and the leaders of the Jews. Ezra was so excited that he prematurely celebrated and appointed the men- just the number that was needed- to their holy offices.
However, it was discovered that the family of priest were defiled. Many of them had married pagan wives. Most of them had children by them. In fact, some of them had pagan grandmothers and mothers. The priests that remained in Israel after the captivity could find no wives for their sons among the Jews who had been carried away into captivity and looked to the pagan populations in the lands about them. It was a bitter disappointment for Ezra, because now the sacrifices could not continue until this situation was fixed. What could be done now as the priests were already consecrated to serve in the Temple? Would the priests have to be dismissed from their position because they would be disqualified? Perhaps the question about their wives did not show up on the application. Would they have to divorce their pagan wives? Or would it just be easier if Ezra ignored the whole issue and allowed the situation to play out as it stood? The dilemma was not an easy one to overcome. It would cause Ezra and his leaders to look bad no matter what they did- and become extremely unpopular. However, Ezra also knew that the One who was most important to please was God.
You may confront a "good news/bad news situation" today, or one that will test your integrity and tempt you to compromise. When this happens, what will you do? Note that Ezra was still in his time of fasting. Just because an answer comes to you in your time of prayer does not necessarily mean that it is THE answer to your prayers. God may have a better thing for you. Perhaps He desires that you wait until He has laid everything out before you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I have been praying about this matter for a long time. It seemed to me that this or that would work and be the answer to that which I had been praying. But now I find that it is worse than not having the answer at all. I am disappointed now, so cheer my aching heart and let not this problem find a root of bitterness in me. Father help me to swallow my pride and admit that I might have acted too hastily. Help me to continue to be close to You and to trust You until the answer comes. Help me to keep my integrity. In Jesus Name, Amen.
1 When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass.” 3 So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down astonished. 4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me, because of the transgression of those who had been carried away captive, and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.
5 At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God. (Ezra 9: 1-5)
Some one announced to me the other day, "I've got good news and bad news!" We hear this all the time. Usually the person making the announcement will ask, "What do you want to hear first, the good news or the bad news?" I usually will ask to hear the bad news first, so that the good news that I hear later will help console me when I hear the bad news. Otherwise, if I hear the bad news last, I will be left with the gnawing ache of disappointment.
There is also an old lesson that says that if the news sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Have you ever been so excited by some good news or a new development that you were so certain would be the answer to your problem that you may have shouted for joy, only to discover, to your bitter disappointment that the news you heard was not exactly as you had hoped? This was what Ezra the prophet discovered after his period of fasting. At first they had searched for priests to serve in the newly dedicated and rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. Everything went well with this despite earlier opposition. But they could not begin the rituals until priests were found from the tribe of Levi. In the last chapter, a family of this tribe were found and presented themselves to Ezra and the leaders of the Jews. Ezra was so excited that he prematurely celebrated and appointed the men- just the number that was needed- to their holy offices.
However, it was discovered that the family of priest were defiled. Many of them had married pagan wives. Most of them had children by them. In fact, some of them had pagan grandmothers and mothers. The priests that remained in Israel after the captivity could find no wives for their sons among the Jews who had been carried away into captivity and looked to the pagan populations in the lands about them. It was a bitter disappointment for Ezra, because now the sacrifices could not continue until this situation was fixed. What could be done now as the priests were already consecrated to serve in the Temple? Would the priests have to be dismissed from their position because they would be disqualified? Perhaps the question about their wives did not show up on the application. Would they have to divorce their pagan wives? Or would it just be easier if Ezra ignored the whole issue and allowed the situation to play out as it stood? The dilemma was not an easy one to overcome. It would cause Ezra and his leaders to look bad no matter what they did- and become extremely unpopular. However, Ezra also knew that the One who was most important to please was God.
You may confront a "good news/bad news situation" today, or one that will test your integrity and tempt you to compromise. When this happens, what will you do? Note that Ezra was still in his time of fasting. Just because an answer comes to you in your time of prayer does not necessarily mean that it is THE answer to your prayers. God may have a better thing for you. Perhaps He desires that you wait until He has laid everything out before you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I have been praying about this matter for a long time. It seemed to me that this or that would work and be the answer to that which I had been praying. But now I find that it is worse than not having the answer at all. I am disappointed now, so cheer my aching heart and let not this problem find a root of bitterness in me. Father help me to swallow my pride and admit that I might have acted too hastily. Help me to continue to be close to You and to trust You until the answer comes. Help me to keep my integrity. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Monday, August 24, 2009
24 August 2009 Devotion for Today "So We Fasted" Ezra 8:21-25
24 August 2009 Devotion for Today "So We Fasted" Ezra 8:21-25
21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a straight and right way for us, our little ones, and all our possessions.22For I was ashamed to request of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy along the way, because we had told the king, The hand of our God is upon all them for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him. 23So we fasted and besought our God for this, and He heard our entreaty. 24Then I set apart twelve leading priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their kinsmen, 25And weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the vessels, the offering for the house of our God which the king, his counselors, his lords, and all Israel there present had offered. (Ezra 8:21-25)
This summer has met with some extremely challenging situations that I would never have survived had it not been because of the Lord's hand upon me (see Ezra 8:18) and a developing discipline which I had never really considered seriously adopting up until now: Fasting. Early this summer I took a course taught by Dr. Elmer Towns at Liberty University called "The Spiritual Factors of Revival." When I signed up for it, I thought: "This is going to be an easy course because he's going to cover a lot of history and I like history." Dr. Towns did teach us some history of revivals of the church since the first century, which was interesting. However, that was just a small portion of the course. The course was in fact one of the most challenging I have taken until now. One of the first things he stressed was how fasting was to help us to grow spiritually. However, fasting did much more than this. Fasting was to help us focus on God so that He would determine our goals, our priorities, and most importantly, our plans. He pointed out that there has never been a major movement of God's presence without fasting. He also pointed out that while we can pray without fasting, we cannot fast without praying.
I hesitate to say this because I don't want anyone to perceive me as a some spiritual giant or guru on the subject of fasting- that I am not. But I would like to share some of the benefits from fasting I have received this summer. I have, however, endeavored to fast one day per week since the first of June. Not only have I become aware of my hunger during these times, but I have also become aware of intense spiritual battles that brew around me every day- battles that have always been there but I have seldom ever noticed them. These spiritual battles have called for me to spend intense times in prayer. I have not been successful in fasting every week, but fasting has really helped me to intensify and to focus my heart on God. I am not as stressed out as I used to be when I sense conflict and battles brewing. My preaching and teaching has improved and so has my devotional life. I seem to manage my time better and do not fill my time with frivolous things. I am more compassionate and thoughtful in my relationships with others. I have also become more aware of God's blessings and see His hand working in situations that I would not have become aware of had I not done without my meals for a certain time. One thing fasting has not done is help me lose weight but perhaps it will in time, but that is not why I am fasting, anyway. Fasting has also helped me to capitalize on joy. I feel I do not suffer from depression or discouragement as much as I use to be. God is the one who receives the glory for the victories and shares the load of pain I sometimes feel.
Ezra discusses a fast that he proclaimed in Ezra 8. This narrative actually happened before they left Babylon even though it is discussed after they rebuilt Jerusalem. Ezra was offered military protection from the king, but he was ashamed to ask for it because he had already proclaimed how God would protect them. But the physical and spiritual oppression upon them as they journeyed was enormous. He was also concerned that, as they prepared to rebuild the Temple, where would they find Levites to dedicate as priests to offer the sacrifices and to perform the daily Temple rituals. Most of the Levites either died when the Temple was destroyed or were lost in 70 years of captivity. God revealed the answer through the fast as at least one levitical family presented themselves to Ezra and the other leaders of the band of returning exiles. The problems Ezra encountered were overcome by his leadership through fasting.
If you have a problem you are unsure or unclear of the answer, may I humbly suggest fasting. One of the reasons why I think I never fasted was my particular denomination seldom, if ever, stressed this. No pastor I have had ever preached about it. I feel now after over twenty-five years of ministry that I have been short-changed. Maybe I have done that to myself! You might not find the exact answer you are looking for- instead you may find more blessings than what you expected to receive.
Have a blessed day!
21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a straight and right way for us, our little ones, and all our possessions.22For I was ashamed to request of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy along the way, because we had told the king, The hand of our God is upon all them for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him. 23So we fasted and besought our God for this, and He heard our entreaty. 24Then I set apart twelve leading priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their kinsmen, 25And weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the vessels, the offering for the house of our God which the king, his counselors, his lords, and all Israel there present had offered. (Ezra 8:21-25)
This summer has met with some extremely challenging situations that I would never have survived had it not been because of the Lord's hand upon me (see Ezra 8:18) and a developing discipline which I had never really considered seriously adopting up until now: Fasting. Early this summer I took a course taught by Dr. Elmer Towns at Liberty University called "The Spiritual Factors of Revival." When I signed up for it, I thought: "This is going to be an easy course because he's going to cover a lot of history and I like history." Dr. Towns did teach us some history of revivals of the church since the first century, which was interesting. However, that was just a small portion of the course. The course was in fact one of the most challenging I have taken until now. One of the first things he stressed was how fasting was to help us to grow spiritually. However, fasting did much more than this. Fasting was to help us focus on God so that He would determine our goals, our priorities, and most importantly, our plans. He pointed out that there has never been a major movement of God's presence without fasting. He also pointed out that while we can pray without fasting, we cannot fast without praying.
I hesitate to say this because I don't want anyone to perceive me as a some spiritual giant or guru on the subject of fasting- that I am not. But I would like to share some of the benefits from fasting I have received this summer. I have, however, endeavored to fast one day per week since the first of June. Not only have I become aware of my hunger during these times, but I have also become aware of intense spiritual battles that brew around me every day- battles that have always been there but I have seldom ever noticed them. These spiritual battles have called for me to spend intense times in prayer. I have not been successful in fasting every week, but fasting has really helped me to intensify and to focus my heart on God. I am not as stressed out as I used to be when I sense conflict and battles brewing. My preaching and teaching has improved and so has my devotional life. I seem to manage my time better and do not fill my time with frivolous things. I am more compassionate and thoughtful in my relationships with others. I have also become more aware of God's blessings and see His hand working in situations that I would not have become aware of had I not done without my meals for a certain time. One thing fasting has not done is help me lose weight but perhaps it will in time, but that is not why I am fasting, anyway. Fasting has also helped me to capitalize on joy. I feel I do not suffer from depression or discouragement as much as I use to be. God is the one who receives the glory for the victories and shares the load of pain I sometimes feel.
Ezra discusses a fast that he proclaimed in Ezra 8. This narrative actually happened before they left Babylon even though it is discussed after they rebuilt Jerusalem. Ezra was offered military protection from the king, but he was ashamed to ask for it because he had already proclaimed how God would protect them. But the physical and spiritual oppression upon them as they journeyed was enormous. He was also concerned that, as they prepared to rebuild the Temple, where would they find Levites to dedicate as priests to offer the sacrifices and to perform the daily Temple rituals. Most of the Levites either died when the Temple was destroyed or were lost in 70 years of captivity. God revealed the answer through the fast as at least one levitical family presented themselves to Ezra and the other leaders of the band of returning exiles. The problems Ezra encountered were overcome by his leadership through fasting.
If you have a problem you are unsure or unclear of the answer, may I humbly suggest fasting. One of the reasons why I think I never fasted was my particular denomination seldom, if ever, stressed this. No pastor I have had ever preached about it. I feel now after over twenty-five years of ministry that I have been short-changed. Maybe I have done that to myself! You might not find the exact answer you are looking for- instead you may find more blessings than what you expected to receive.
Have a blessed day!
Friday, August 21, 2009
21 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Holy to the Lord" Ezra 8:28-30
21 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Holy to the Lord" Ezra 8:28-30
And I said to them, “You are holy to the LORD; the articles are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to the LORD God of your fathers. 29 Watch and keep them until you weigh them before the leaders of the priests and the Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel in Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD.” 30 So the priests and the Levites received the silver and the gold and the articles by weight, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God. (Ezra 8:28-30)
Holiness. The term means to separate or to be separate for a life consecrated to the service of God. It also should assume a lifestyle of purity and integrity in ones character. We live in an age that is ready to redefine what these terms mean in order to make them more palatable and acceptable to the masses. Even churches feel the temptation to redefine what holiness means just to keep their doors open. In fact the church doesn't like to use the term holy anymore because they are afraid of giving off the wrong idea. When people think of holy, they no longer think of an upright person who is a person of influence and character. Instead they think of a self-righteous prude who like to stick their nose in other people's business, condemning people of their unholy behavior. This was not the idea of holiness understood by Ezra.
In this passage Ezra reminds the newly consecrated priests that they were holy to the Lord (v. 28) as they resumed the ritual sacrifices in the newly dedicated Temple complex. In this passage they were to watch over the finances of the Temple. Its interesting here that to be holy in this instance meant to be trusted. They were handling a lot of gold and silver- cash that could easily slip through one's fingers. They were never to count the money by themselves, but to do so in front of the other leaders of the Temple. This was to avoid the appearance of evil- which is another quality of holiness. The Apostle Paul discusses this in I Thessalonians 5:22
In this sense, "the appearance of evil" talks about evil that has not happened or is not really evil at all but only seems evil in someone’s eyes! It feeds suspicion. It feeds all the darkness inside us that loves to judge people. It accuses brothers and sisters in the Lord that have done nothing wrong but create an appearance of evil in someone else's eyes! It destroys fellowship and trust. It fosters gossip and talking behind someone's back. It serves to create discord in community and undermines the love that should mark Christians fellowship.
But is holiness more than just trying to avoid suspicion, or is it something more? I believe it stems from a desire to do what is right and reflects a heart that truly loves God. The standard we strive for is the purity of God, not the purity of ourselves as we try to compare ourselves with others. In comparing ourselves with one another we will become self-righteous and legalistic, but in comparing ourselves with God, we will all become equal.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are a holy God. You have said to be holy for I am holy. You expect holiness in me even though the world around me is plunged in filth. Help me to live my life today where I declare my holiness not by my tongue, but by the righteous and obedient life I seek to lead. Help me not to have an attitude of condemnation toward others, but to demonstrate graciousness and love that will attract people to a holy God like You. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Have a blessed and holy day!
And I said to them, “You are holy to the LORD; the articles are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to the LORD God of your fathers. 29 Watch and keep them until you weigh them before the leaders of the priests and the Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel in Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD.” 30 So the priests and the Levites received the silver and the gold and the articles by weight, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God. (Ezra 8:28-30)
Holiness. The term means to separate or to be separate for a life consecrated to the service of God. It also should assume a lifestyle of purity and integrity in ones character. We live in an age that is ready to redefine what these terms mean in order to make them more palatable and acceptable to the masses. Even churches feel the temptation to redefine what holiness means just to keep their doors open. In fact the church doesn't like to use the term holy anymore because they are afraid of giving off the wrong idea. When people think of holy, they no longer think of an upright person who is a person of influence and character. Instead they think of a self-righteous prude who like to stick their nose in other people's business, condemning people of their unholy behavior. This was not the idea of holiness understood by Ezra.
In this passage Ezra reminds the newly consecrated priests that they were holy to the Lord (v. 28) as they resumed the ritual sacrifices in the newly dedicated Temple complex. In this passage they were to watch over the finances of the Temple. Its interesting here that to be holy in this instance meant to be trusted. They were handling a lot of gold and silver- cash that could easily slip through one's fingers. They were never to count the money by themselves, but to do so in front of the other leaders of the Temple. This was to avoid the appearance of evil- which is another quality of holiness. The Apostle Paul discusses this in I Thessalonians 5:22
In this sense, "the appearance of evil" talks about evil that has not happened or is not really evil at all but only seems evil in someone’s eyes! It feeds suspicion. It feeds all the darkness inside us that loves to judge people. It accuses brothers and sisters in the Lord that have done nothing wrong but create an appearance of evil in someone else's eyes! It destroys fellowship and trust. It fosters gossip and talking behind someone's back. It serves to create discord in community and undermines the love that should mark Christians fellowship.
But is holiness more than just trying to avoid suspicion, or is it something more? I believe it stems from a desire to do what is right and reflects a heart that truly loves God. The standard we strive for is the purity of God, not the purity of ourselves as we try to compare ourselves with others. In comparing ourselves with one another we will become self-righteous and legalistic, but in comparing ourselves with God, we will all become equal.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are a holy God. You have said to be holy for I am holy. You expect holiness in me even though the world around me is plunged in filth. Help me to live my life today where I declare my holiness not by my tongue, but by the righteous and obedient life I seek to lead. Help me not to have an attitude of condemnation toward others, but to demonstrate graciousness and love that will attract people to a holy God like You. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Have a blessed and holy day!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
20 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Blessed" Ezra 7:27-28
20 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Blessed" Ezra 7:27-28
27Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers [said Ezra], Who put such a thing as this into the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, 28And Who has extended His mercy and steadfast love to me before the king, his counselors, and all the king's mighty officers. I was strengthened and encouraged, for the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together outstanding men of Israel to go with me to Jerusalem. (Ezra 7:27-28)
Today I feel blessed. Actually I don't just feel it, I know that I am. There are times that I don't feel like I feel right now, but that doesn't dissuade me from knowing the truth. This year I have experienced some incredible blessings in my life. I am so thankful of the wife that God gave me- for the wonderful helpmate she has been for me for going on thirty years. So much of my feeling of blessing today has to do with what I see God doing in the lives of my children. They all have made me so proud and I rejoice everyday in what God has allowed my wife and I to accomplish through them. I am also blessed to be pastor of a wonderful congregation that has shown more love to me than I probably have shown them. I'm surrounded by the blessings of extended family and friends who have never ceased to be loving and supportive, encouraging and helpful. What more could one man ask for? This does not mean everything has been what I would have liked over the years. There have been many times of testing and struggle, and a few heartaches along the way. But the blessings far outweigh the hurts and rejoice that God has saved me. If I should die not long after I write this, I rejoice to tell you how blessed I have been and bless God for all that He has shared with me and allowed to happen in my life.
I identify with Ezra this morning who speaks of the blessings of God in his life. His life and ministry were not without struggle, however. Making the hard journey with his people from their Babylonian captivity back to Jerusalem was the easy part. When they arrived they found their legacy in ruins, but were determined to rebuild it. They met with much opposition, political turmoil, and bureaucratic headaches nearly everyday. But they persisted and were rewarded by the favor of the king. This was incredible in itself, because King Darius was the same king who allowed Daniel to go to the lion's den because very attentive to his own record keeping. A lapse between kings threatened the whole Jerusalem project, yet God kept it from falling through the cracks. The new king, Artaxerxes, (later Esther's husband), was delighted to take the credit for the magnificent Jewish Temple and restored city. He almost appears as a follower of the Jews judging by the things that he writes. However, in the end, God gets the glory and Ezra and his people receive the blessings for the hand of God through the whole situation.
It is easy to get focused on the negative things that happen in our lives to feel discouraged. One way to overcome this is to realize how much God has blessed you. The more you focus on your blessings instead of your faults or the faults of others, the happier you will be and the more joy you will bring to those around you. God will be praised and glorified in your life, and the more that you do that, the more disposed God will be in bringing more blessings your way.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the blessings you have allowed to come into my life. I know that I do not deserve any of them, but I take this moment to say thank you. I ask Lord that you will help me to take full advantage of them for Your glory, that I may use them to bring blessing to others. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Have a blessed day!
27Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers [said Ezra], Who put such a thing as this into the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, 28And Who has extended His mercy and steadfast love to me before the king, his counselors, and all the king's mighty officers. I was strengthened and encouraged, for the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together outstanding men of Israel to go with me to Jerusalem. (Ezra 7:27-28)
Today I feel blessed. Actually I don't just feel it, I know that I am. There are times that I don't feel like I feel right now, but that doesn't dissuade me from knowing the truth. This year I have experienced some incredible blessings in my life. I am so thankful of the wife that God gave me- for the wonderful helpmate she has been for me for going on thirty years. So much of my feeling of blessing today has to do with what I see God doing in the lives of my children. They all have made me so proud and I rejoice everyday in what God has allowed my wife and I to accomplish through them. I am also blessed to be pastor of a wonderful congregation that has shown more love to me than I probably have shown them. I'm surrounded by the blessings of extended family and friends who have never ceased to be loving and supportive, encouraging and helpful. What more could one man ask for? This does not mean everything has been what I would have liked over the years. There have been many times of testing and struggle, and a few heartaches along the way. But the blessings far outweigh the hurts and rejoice that God has saved me. If I should die not long after I write this, I rejoice to tell you how blessed I have been and bless God for all that He has shared with me and allowed to happen in my life.
I identify with Ezra this morning who speaks of the blessings of God in his life. His life and ministry were not without struggle, however. Making the hard journey with his people from their Babylonian captivity back to Jerusalem was the easy part. When they arrived they found their legacy in ruins, but were determined to rebuild it. They met with much opposition, political turmoil, and bureaucratic headaches nearly everyday. But they persisted and were rewarded by the favor of the king. This was incredible in itself, because King Darius was the same king who allowed Daniel to go to the lion's den because very attentive to his own record keeping. A lapse between kings threatened the whole Jerusalem project, yet God kept it from falling through the cracks. The new king, Artaxerxes, (later Esther's husband), was delighted to take the credit for the magnificent Jewish Temple and restored city. He almost appears as a follower of the Jews judging by the things that he writes. However, in the end, God gets the glory and Ezra and his people receive the blessings for the hand of God through the whole situation.
It is easy to get focused on the negative things that happen in our lives to feel discouraged. One way to overcome this is to realize how much God has blessed you. The more you focus on your blessings instead of your faults or the faults of others, the happier you will be and the more joy you will bring to those around you. God will be praised and glorified in your life, and the more that you do that, the more disposed God will be in bringing more blessings your way.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the blessings you have allowed to come into my life. I know that I do not deserve any of them, but I take this moment to say thank you. I ask Lord that you will help me to take full advantage of them for Your glory, that I may use them to bring blessing to others. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Have a blessed day!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
19 August 2009 Devotion for Today "The Good Hand of His God" Ezra 7:6-10
19 August 2009 Devotion for Today "The Good Hand of His God" Ezra 7:6-10
6 this Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. 7 Some of the children of Israel, the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Nethinim came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. 8 And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. 10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. (Ezra 7:6-10)
For the better part of this week I have been feeling like a blind man because I have (temporarily?) misplaced my glasses and have had to resort to wearing "cheaters"- those inexpensive reading glasses from Walmart that are woefully inadequate. I have no idea where I could have put them when I changed them out for sunglasses sometime Monday morning. It is frustrating because of the cost, time and effort to order another pair and secondly, I cannot see very well and am subject to headaches caused by eye strain. So I am praying that I will find them today. They are probably lying in the most obvious place and I know I will probably feel silly afterward. But in the meantime I continue to hunt for them. So please pray that the good hand of the Lord will be upon me today so that I can find them so I can study and do all of the things that the Lord wants me to do today.
This Scripture passage is written in a narrative somewhat different than the previous six chapters. In fact, it almost reads as a different book and was probably authored by someone different. The chapter begins with a genealogy of sorts and then some historical background when he came to Jerusalem to help lead the resettlement of the Jews from exile. But it makes a statement- the good hand of the Lord. That can also mean the "favor" of the Lord. That means that God has approved of the subject and is blessing what he is doing. It is also another way of describing success.
Many people enjoy success, but for the Christian success is viewed differently than by the world. The worldly person achieves success through the application of his natural wisdom, talents, achievements and hard work. For the Christian it is not that much different except for the focus of that success: the worldly person focuses his success on himself, while the Christian focuses his success on God.
For Ezra, his success came first of all by preparation (he prepared his heart). If preparation is important for the worldly person, it is even more so for the Christian. By preparation I mean training, education, study, and learning. It may be true that Bill Gates dropped out of college so that he could start Microsoft, and there are the occasional high school drop outs who go on to make millions- but these are rare. Educational opportunities abound to the point that there is virtually no excuse for not receiving a good education. However, preparation takes time and it is hard work.
Ezra also sought the law of the Lord. This means Ezra was a student of the Bible: God's holy Word. He poured over the Scriptures diligently. To be a student of the Bible, however, means that one will also need to be a student of other disciplines as well so he will know the various ways it can be applied. The value of Bible study is not to accumulate facts or be able to quote Bible verses. One of the values of study has to do with the transformation of one's character so that he will have the tools to go on and to succeed. One of the reasons why some Christians that I know do NOT succeed is because they are not diligent in their study. In other words, they are not willing to work hard enough for it- and unfortunately this reflects in other areas of life.
For example, if a person is lazy, he will probably not want to study or work in order to succeed. However, if he will apply God's word to his life-and the principles contained in it- what he reads will motivate him to want to study more. He can overcome his lack of motivation because what he reads will spark something new in his heart that will give him a renewed enthusiasm for the opportunities he sees in life. That is how God changes people. The discipline of study of God's Word will create a discipline in all other areas of life as well. He will want to study and to sharpen his mind in other subjects, organize his time and finances, and will want to work harder because he knows he is not just working for himself- he is working for God.
You will also note that not only did Ezra read God's Word, but he also did it- he applied the principles of Scripture to his life and lived them. Do you feel that the good hand of the Lord is upon you today? 2 Timothy 2:15 says: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." There is no substitute for diligence. Diligence means persistence as well as consistence in living out what we learn from God's eternal truths.
Prayer: Dear Lord help me to have Your good hand upon me today as I begin my day. May what I study today apply to everything that I do so that I may bring favor not only to myself, but to everyone around me. Help me to live in such a way today that it will be obvious to others that Your hand is upon me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
6 this Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. 7 Some of the children of Israel, the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Nethinim came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. 8 And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. 10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. (Ezra 7:6-10)
For the better part of this week I have been feeling like a blind man because I have (temporarily?) misplaced my glasses and have had to resort to wearing "cheaters"- those inexpensive reading glasses from Walmart that are woefully inadequate. I have no idea where I could have put them when I changed them out for sunglasses sometime Monday morning. It is frustrating because of the cost, time and effort to order another pair and secondly, I cannot see very well and am subject to headaches caused by eye strain. So I am praying that I will find them today. They are probably lying in the most obvious place and I know I will probably feel silly afterward. But in the meantime I continue to hunt for them. So please pray that the good hand of the Lord will be upon me today so that I can find them so I can study and do all of the things that the Lord wants me to do today.
This Scripture passage is written in a narrative somewhat different than the previous six chapters. In fact, it almost reads as a different book and was probably authored by someone different. The chapter begins with a genealogy of sorts and then some historical background when he came to Jerusalem to help lead the resettlement of the Jews from exile. But it makes a statement- the good hand of the Lord. That can also mean the "favor" of the Lord. That means that God has approved of the subject and is blessing what he is doing. It is also another way of describing success.
Many people enjoy success, but for the Christian success is viewed differently than by the world. The worldly person achieves success through the application of his natural wisdom, talents, achievements and hard work. For the Christian it is not that much different except for the focus of that success: the worldly person focuses his success on himself, while the Christian focuses his success on God.
For Ezra, his success came first of all by preparation (he prepared his heart). If preparation is important for the worldly person, it is even more so for the Christian. By preparation I mean training, education, study, and learning. It may be true that Bill Gates dropped out of college so that he could start Microsoft, and there are the occasional high school drop outs who go on to make millions- but these are rare. Educational opportunities abound to the point that there is virtually no excuse for not receiving a good education. However, preparation takes time and it is hard work.
Ezra also sought the law of the Lord. This means Ezra was a student of the Bible: God's holy Word. He poured over the Scriptures diligently. To be a student of the Bible, however, means that one will also need to be a student of other disciplines as well so he will know the various ways it can be applied. The value of Bible study is not to accumulate facts or be able to quote Bible verses. One of the values of study has to do with the transformation of one's character so that he will have the tools to go on and to succeed. One of the reasons why some Christians that I know do NOT succeed is because they are not diligent in their study. In other words, they are not willing to work hard enough for it- and unfortunately this reflects in other areas of life.
For example, if a person is lazy, he will probably not want to study or work in order to succeed. However, if he will apply God's word to his life-and the principles contained in it- what he reads will motivate him to want to study more. He can overcome his lack of motivation because what he reads will spark something new in his heart that will give him a renewed enthusiasm for the opportunities he sees in life. That is how God changes people. The discipline of study of God's Word will create a discipline in all other areas of life as well. He will want to study and to sharpen his mind in other subjects, organize his time and finances, and will want to work harder because he knows he is not just working for himself- he is working for God.
You will also note that not only did Ezra read God's Word, but he also did it- he applied the principles of Scripture to his life and lived them. Do you feel that the good hand of the Lord is upon you today? 2 Timothy 2:15 says: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." There is no substitute for diligence. Diligence means persistence as well as consistence in living out what we learn from God's eternal truths.
Prayer: Dear Lord help me to have Your good hand upon me today as I begin my day. May what I study today apply to everything that I do so that I may bring favor not only to myself, but to everyone around me. Help me to live in such a way today that it will be obvious to others that Your hand is upon me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
18 August 2009 Devotion for Today “The Lord Made Them Joyful” Ezra 6:9-22
18 August 2009 Devotion for Today “The Lord Made Them Joyful” Ezra 6:9-22
9 And the descendants of the captivity kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. 20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves; all of them were ritually clean. And they slaughtered the Passover lambs for all the descendants of the captivity, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. 21 Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the LORD God of Israel. 22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the LORD made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. (Ezra 6:9-22)
The story is told of a very bumpy and turbulent airline flight. If the flight was bad, the landing was even worse as the plane did everything but barrel rolls as it approached the runway. But the experienced pilot managed to land the plane safely. He stood at the door of the cabin as the passengers exited from the aircraft as he normally did, and greeted the passengers as they left. One rather caustic elderly woman came down the aisle and as she approached the pilot, she asked, “Captain, I want to know one thing- did we land, or were we SHOT down?”
It could well be that you feel as though you were shot down yesterday, or that your day was very bumpy and turbulent. The Jews who resettled the city of Jerusalem certainly did not have an easy time of it. Even though they had been given assurances from the king of Persia that he wanted them to return and rebuild the Temple, the Jews had enemies who tried their best to give them a rough time of it. However, the Jews decided that they would refuse to be discouraged by the paperwork headaches and obstacles thrown in their way as they focused on what God had for them to do. They accomplished what God had instructed and rebuilt the Temple, dedicated it, and held a celebration. One phrase in verse 22 lifts my heart as I read it “for the Lord had made them joyful.” This is true for all of us. Joy is a supernatural thing that comes from God that is independent of our circumstances. To be sure, the Jews were happy for the success and sense of accomplishment, but God gave them the joy to experience it. We can have joy even when our circumstances are turbulent and shaky when we chose to see God and what He is doing and not the things around us.
It will be tempting to want to feel miserable, sad, lonely or allow ourselves to be caught up in a swell of negative emotions as we experience difficulty today. But remember what Ezra said to the people in Nehemiah 8:10 "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the joy that You give me- especially in moments when I am tempted to feel anything but joy. Help me to not slide into negative emotions when things do not go well today. Instead, let me put a smile on my face that exemplifies Your Spirit in me. Let my tormenters know that while they may be able to take everything away from me, they cannot take away my joy. Instead allow me to witness to them by the joy of Jesus Christ in my life, and let the joy of the Lord be my strength today. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Have a blessed day!
9 And the descendants of the captivity kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. 20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves; all of them were ritually clean. And they slaughtered the Passover lambs for all the descendants of the captivity, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. 21 Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the LORD God of Israel. 22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the LORD made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. (Ezra 6:9-22)
The story is told of a very bumpy and turbulent airline flight. If the flight was bad, the landing was even worse as the plane did everything but barrel rolls as it approached the runway. But the experienced pilot managed to land the plane safely. He stood at the door of the cabin as the passengers exited from the aircraft as he normally did, and greeted the passengers as they left. One rather caustic elderly woman came down the aisle and as she approached the pilot, she asked, “Captain, I want to know one thing- did we land, or were we SHOT down?”
It could well be that you feel as though you were shot down yesterday, or that your day was very bumpy and turbulent. The Jews who resettled the city of Jerusalem certainly did not have an easy time of it. Even though they had been given assurances from the king of Persia that he wanted them to return and rebuild the Temple, the Jews had enemies who tried their best to give them a rough time of it. However, the Jews decided that they would refuse to be discouraged by the paperwork headaches and obstacles thrown in their way as they focused on what God had for them to do. They accomplished what God had instructed and rebuilt the Temple, dedicated it, and held a celebration. One phrase in verse 22 lifts my heart as I read it “for the Lord had made them joyful.” This is true for all of us. Joy is a supernatural thing that comes from God that is independent of our circumstances. To be sure, the Jews were happy for the success and sense of accomplishment, but God gave them the joy to experience it. We can have joy even when our circumstances are turbulent and shaky when we chose to see God and what He is doing and not the things around us.
It will be tempting to want to feel miserable, sad, lonely or allow ourselves to be caught up in a swell of negative emotions as we experience difficulty today. But remember what Ezra said to the people in Nehemiah 8:10 "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the joy that You give me- especially in moments when I am tempted to feel anything but joy. Help me to not slide into negative emotions when things do not go well today. Instead, let me put a smile on my face that exemplifies Your Spirit in me. Let my tormenters know that while they may be able to take everything away from me, they cannot take away my joy. Instead allow me to witness to them by the joy of Jesus Christ in my life, and let the joy of the Lord be my strength today. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Have a blessed day!
Monday, August 17, 2009
17 August 2009 Devotion for Today "At the Kings Expense" Ezra 6:8-10
17 August 2009 Devotion for Today "At the Kings Expense" Ezra 6:8-10
Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king’s expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered. 9 And whatever they need—young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the priests who are in Jerusalem—let it be given them day by day without fail, 10 that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons. (Ezra 6:8-10)
For about a year now we have been hearing that we are in a recession, and that the government is cutting its budget. This, they say, is due to low tax revenues. When people have no jobs, they don't have income to pay taxes on. State governments, especially, are eliminating programs and cutting back on things that we have grown dependent upon as long as our memory serves us- especially in education. So much more is demanded upon our teachers and our schools, with less and less money to meet those expectations. Wouldn't it be great to hear someone say, "We've got the money to do it" instead of hearing, "we can't do that, they are cutting the budget this year!"
I am greatly encouraged as I read this passage in Ezra 6. The settlers who returned from exile found themselves up against the bureaucrats who tried to keep them from rebuilding the Temple compound. The Persians and other pagan occupants of the land saw that the Israelites were spending precious tax money that might have gone for their own projects. With the Temple as a new cultural center, the pagans feared that the Israelites would dominate the population in the area and become their new masters within a short period of time. They did not know, however, that the Jews had the favor of the king, and that the entire project was paid for at the king's expense.
Do you have a project or a work of the Kingdom that needs to be accomplished this week. Understand that our King of Kings knows that you do not have the funds to accomplish what He desires. He wants it to be paid for out of His account- at His expense. He will not give us a job to do without the resources or the means to get it done. He only asks that you use good stewardship principles, don't waste His money, and that you keep good records of expenditures. The same accounting is also true with the use of His time. He does not like to see us frittering it away or "goofing off" when we are on His clock. He also will be disappointed when we try to do His work without turning in the receipts. Remember, it is at the King's expense.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be faithful to serve You today to the best of the power and in the resources that You have given me to do what needs to be done. May I not be sloppy in the work that I do, but to be wholly committed to make a careful accounting of every dime and all the time You have allotted me. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king’s expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered. 9 And whatever they need—young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the priests who are in Jerusalem—let it be given them day by day without fail, 10 that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons. (Ezra 6:8-10)
For about a year now we have been hearing that we are in a recession, and that the government is cutting its budget. This, they say, is due to low tax revenues. When people have no jobs, they don't have income to pay taxes on. State governments, especially, are eliminating programs and cutting back on things that we have grown dependent upon as long as our memory serves us- especially in education. So much more is demanded upon our teachers and our schools, with less and less money to meet those expectations. Wouldn't it be great to hear someone say, "We've got the money to do it" instead of hearing, "we can't do that, they are cutting the budget this year!"
I am greatly encouraged as I read this passage in Ezra 6. The settlers who returned from exile found themselves up against the bureaucrats who tried to keep them from rebuilding the Temple compound. The Persians and other pagan occupants of the land saw that the Israelites were spending precious tax money that might have gone for their own projects. With the Temple as a new cultural center, the pagans feared that the Israelites would dominate the population in the area and become their new masters within a short period of time. They did not know, however, that the Jews had the favor of the king, and that the entire project was paid for at the king's expense.
Do you have a project or a work of the Kingdom that needs to be accomplished this week. Understand that our King of Kings knows that you do not have the funds to accomplish what He desires. He wants it to be paid for out of His account- at His expense. He will not give us a job to do without the resources or the means to get it done. He only asks that you use good stewardship principles, don't waste His money, and that you keep good records of expenditures. The same accounting is also true with the use of His time. He does not like to see us frittering it away or "goofing off" when we are on His clock. He also will be disappointed when we try to do His work without turning in the receipts. Remember, it is at the King's expense.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be faithful to serve You today to the best of the power and in the resources that You have given me to do what needs to be done. May I not be sloppy in the work that I do, but to be wholly committed to make a careful accounting of every dime and all the time You have allotted me. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
12 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Vindicated" Ezra 6:1-6
hen King Darius issued a decree, and a search was made in the archives,[a] where the treasures were stored in Babylon. 2 And at Achmetha,[b] in the palace that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found, and in it a record was written thus:
3 In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: “Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, 4 with three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the expenses be paid from the king’s treasury. 5 Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God”—
6 Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and your companions the Persians who are beyond the River, keep yourselves far from there. 7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site. (Ezra 6:1-6)
Vindication. It happens rarely in this life, but when it DOES happen, it is a cause to celebrate and to praise God. Few things are as disconcerting of being accused of something one did not do, or to have one's dreams frustrated and stonewalled under a mountain of red-tape. Such were the plans for the new Temple constructed upon Ezra's direction. They had already begun laying the foundations and constructing the Temple when, in the last chapter, the local pagan officials tried their best to put a stop to it by sending a letter to the king demanding that the work stop. The Jews had to write yet another letter by respectfully reminding him that the order was given by Darius' predecessor, Cyrus, and suggested that he might search his archives to verify what had taken place. Darius did make the search. Not only did he find Cyrus' order, but also found more money owing tot he Jewish Temple project than was actually dispersed. The money was paid out, the order was reissued with a warning of swift execution to anyone who slowed the process down again.
Seldom are our dreams realized without hard work and persistence- even when there is no one to oppose us. But when there are, that is the time to go to God, not to remind Him, for He already knows, but to remind ourselves how important the project is and how determined we are in carrying out the will of God.
Have a blessed day!
Prayer: Heavenly Father- there are those about me who want nothing better than to see me "crash and burn" Help this not to happen, that you may be glorified. In Jesus Name, Amen.
hen King Darius issued a decree, and a search was made in the archives,[a] where the treasures were stored in Babylon. 2 And at Achmetha,[b] in the palace that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found, and in it a record was written thus:
3 In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: “Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, 4 with three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the expenses be paid from the king’s treasury. 5 Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God”—
6 Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and your companions the Persians who are beyond the River, keep yourselves far from there. 7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site. (Ezra 6:1-6)
Vindication. It happens rarely in this life, but when it DOES happen, it is a cause to celebrate and to praise God. Few things are as disconcerting of being accused of something one did not do, or to have one's dreams frustrated and stonewalled under a mountain of red-tape. Such were the plans for the new Temple constructed upon Ezra's direction. They had already begun laying the foundations and constructing the Temple when, in the last chapter, the local pagan officials tried their best to put a stop to it by sending a letter to the king demanding that the work stop. The Jews had to write yet another letter by respectfully reminding him that the order was given by Darius' predecessor, Cyrus, and suggested that he might search his archives to verify what had taken place. Darius did make the search. Not only did he find Cyrus' order, but also found more money owing tot he Jewish Temple project than was actually dispersed. The money was paid out, the order was reissued with a warning of swift execution to anyone who slowed the process down again.
Seldom are our dreams realized without hard work and persistence- even when there is no one to oppose us. But when there are, that is the time to go to God, not to remind Him, for He already knows, but to remind ourselves how important the project is and how determined we are in carrying out the will of God.
Have a blessed day!
Prayer: Heavenly Father- there are those about me who want nothing better than to see me "crash and burn" Help this not to happen, that you may be glorified. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
11 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Servants of the Most High God" Ezra 5:8-11
Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judea, to the temple of the great God, which is being built with heavy stones, and timber is being laid in the walls; and this work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.
9 Then we asked those elders, and spoke thus to them: “Who commanded you to build this temple and to finish these walls?” 10 We also asked them their names to inform you, that we might write the names of the men who were chief among them.
11 And thus they returned us an answer, saying: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed. (Ezra 5:8-11)
Robert Greenleaf, founder of the Servant Leadership movement, wrote: "Some coercive power is overt and brutal. Some is covert and manipulative. The former is open and acknowledged; the latter is insidious and hard to detect." ( "The Servant as Leader", 1970 Edition) We find both forms of leadership described here in this text with the king representing coercive power, and the pagan leaders of Jerusalem (elders) who would be described as covert or manipulative. But there is a third kind of leader- the servant leader- among the leaders of the Jews who had to stop their work long enough to write this letter to the king of Persia. First of all, there is not one trace of bitterness or resentment in their letter which takes up most of the chapter. Perhaps that might have been justified- because King Cyrus, the present king's predecessor, had indeed given the money as well as the authority to begin construction of the Temple but had forgotten to copy a letter and send it to their rivals in Jerusalem. Secondly, they refused to get into the game of competition and underhandedness and displays of raw power that one finds in politics. There is a huge temptation to fight whenever we are not getting our way, or when we see others trying to hurt us, or hurting what we are doing. The Jewish leaders, however, recognized that they were servants of the Most High God. The responsibility for exercising that kind of power lay with Him and not with themselves. The Jews, such as Zerubabbel, was very wise in the use of his words not once suggesting that the king had made a mistake. He was very delicate, graceful, poised and composed when inwardly he may have been angry for the injustice he and his people suffered. As a servant leader he knew that he was responsible not just to articulate his own feelings, but had the needs of his people, and especially the needs of the God he served, in clear focus as he wrote.
Today you will face many temptations as a servant leader that will cry out at you: to assert your own rights, to react towards slights and pettiness that is leveled at you, to engage in criticism when something is not done right. How you respond to these matters will determine not only the success or failure of your day, but will determine whether God is glorified or not. We, like the ones in the Book of Ezra, are also Servants of the Most High God. Let us not forget that we represent Him, and may we be under His control and authority for yet another day.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am Your servant, a servant of the Most High God. Forgive me for not representing You very well yesterday. I aspire to be the best servant that I am capable of being today, so help me walk in wisdom as I take on the mantel of Your trust today. Give me the wisdom of knowing how to answer everyone- how to be direct and firm, yet gracious and kind, in every communication that I give. May I truly be a servant leader today.
In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judea, to the temple of the great God, which is being built with heavy stones, and timber is being laid in the walls; and this work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.
9 Then we asked those elders, and spoke thus to them: “Who commanded you to build this temple and to finish these walls?” 10 We also asked them their names to inform you, that we might write the names of the men who were chief among them.
11 And thus they returned us an answer, saying: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed. (Ezra 5:8-11)
Robert Greenleaf, founder of the Servant Leadership movement, wrote: "Some coercive power is overt and brutal. Some is covert and manipulative. The former is open and acknowledged; the latter is insidious and hard to detect." ( "The Servant as Leader", 1970 Edition) We find both forms of leadership described here in this text with the king representing coercive power, and the pagan leaders of Jerusalem (elders) who would be described as covert or manipulative. But there is a third kind of leader- the servant leader- among the leaders of the Jews who had to stop their work long enough to write this letter to the king of Persia. First of all, there is not one trace of bitterness or resentment in their letter which takes up most of the chapter. Perhaps that might have been justified- because King Cyrus, the present king's predecessor, had indeed given the money as well as the authority to begin construction of the Temple but had forgotten to copy a letter and send it to their rivals in Jerusalem. Secondly, they refused to get into the game of competition and underhandedness and displays of raw power that one finds in politics. There is a huge temptation to fight whenever we are not getting our way, or when we see others trying to hurt us, or hurting what we are doing. The Jewish leaders, however, recognized that they were servants of the Most High God. The responsibility for exercising that kind of power lay with Him and not with themselves. The Jews, such as Zerubabbel, was very wise in the use of his words not once suggesting that the king had made a mistake. He was very delicate, graceful, poised and composed when inwardly he may have been angry for the injustice he and his people suffered. As a servant leader he knew that he was responsible not just to articulate his own feelings, but had the needs of his people, and especially the needs of the God he served, in clear focus as he wrote.
Today you will face many temptations as a servant leader that will cry out at you: to assert your own rights, to react towards slights and pettiness that is leveled at you, to engage in criticism when something is not done right. How you respond to these matters will determine not only the success or failure of your day, but will determine whether God is glorified or not. We, like the ones in the Book of Ezra, are also Servants of the Most High God. Let us not forget that we represent Him, and may we be under His control and authority for yet another day.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am Your servant, a servant of the Most High God. Forgive me for not representing You very well yesterday. I aspire to be the best servant that I am capable of being today, so help me walk in wisdom as I take on the mantel of Your trust today. Give me the wisdom of knowing how to answer everyone- how to be direct and firm, yet gracious and kind, in every communication that I give. May I truly be a servant leader today.
In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Monday, August 10, 2009
10 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Keep on Going" Ezra 5:1-5
1 Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak[a] rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them. 3 At the same time Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River[b] and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: “Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?” 4 Then, accordingly, we told them the names of the men who were constructing this building. 5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a written answer was returned concerning this matter." (Ezra 5:1-5)
Sir Winston Churchill is credited with the phrase, "When you are going through hell, keep going." The phrase came out of the dark days of the early part of World War II, when London was bombarded by the Germans and invasion seemed imminent. In situations like this, there is a great temptation to allow fear and intimidation to paralyze us into defeat. Churchill's tenacity and courage emboldened his people to endure and suffer through the heartache of loss and devastation to that they would not only survive the war but become victorious.
The circumstances are different, but the principle is consistent to what the Israelites experienced in these chapters. The resettlement committee of the exiles suffered a severe set-back in chapter four of our text. Political pressure from the pagan citizens of Jerusalem caused the King of Persia to go back on his decree. He sent out an order to cease and desist on rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. Since the decree originally stated that the Jews were to rebuild the Temple, they put aside the wall project and began rebuild that instead. Seeing that they had been thwarted, they became furious, and appealed to the king again- hoping to make their lives miserable with defeat. They did not want the Jews to resettle; for they would dominate the landscape and supplant the weaker pagan settlement. The pagans had not done much for Jerusalem- they just did not wish to see anyone else succeed. The Jews responded to this pagan pettiness by ignoring them. They knew they were on solide footing within their rights to rebuild the Temple, and knew that the pagans would incur the wrath of the king if they insisted upon drawing him into a legal battle.
Satan seeks to harass all Christians- especially the ones who are being blessed by God. IF you are succeeding you might well expect that the devil will try to make your life miserable. Even so, the thing to do is not to give up, but keep on going. May the Lord give you the courage today, even if you "are going through hell" to keep on going today.
Have a blessed day!
Prayer: Dear Lord, I am going through a battle today. Satan's cronies are trying to make my life a living hell- hoping to disappoint and discourage me in the work that I do for you. Help me first of all to be patient and not to lose my cool. Secondly, help me to be gracious, but firm in my resolve to keep pressing forward no matter what people are thinking about the situation. Thirdly, may I give glory to You because You will vindicate me in the end. I put on the full armor of God today, and move forward with the Sword of the Spirit of the Word of God drawn and ready to strike should Satan mount an assault against me. God, please go with me, and keep me going. In Jesus Name, Amen.
1 Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak[a] rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them. 3 At the same time Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River[b] and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: “Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?” 4 Then, accordingly, we told them the names of the men who were constructing this building. 5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a written answer was returned concerning this matter." (Ezra 5:1-5)
Sir Winston Churchill is credited with the phrase, "When you are going through hell, keep going." The phrase came out of the dark days of the early part of World War II, when London was bombarded by the Germans and invasion seemed imminent. In situations like this, there is a great temptation to allow fear and intimidation to paralyze us into defeat. Churchill's tenacity and courage emboldened his people to endure and suffer through the heartache of loss and devastation to that they would not only survive the war but become victorious.
The circumstances are different, but the principle is consistent to what the Israelites experienced in these chapters. The resettlement committee of the exiles suffered a severe set-back in chapter four of our text. Political pressure from the pagan citizens of Jerusalem caused the King of Persia to go back on his decree. He sent out an order to cease and desist on rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. Since the decree originally stated that the Jews were to rebuild the Temple, they put aside the wall project and began rebuild that instead. Seeing that they had been thwarted, they became furious, and appealed to the king again- hoping to make their lives miserable with defeat. They did not want the Jews to resettle; for they would dominate the landscape and supplant the weaker pagan settlement. The pagans had not done much for Jerusalem- they just did not wish to see anyone else succeed. The Jews responded to this pagan pettiness by ignoring them. They knew they were on solide footing within their rights to rebuild the Temple, and knew that the pagans would incur the wrath of the king if they insisted upon drawing him into a legal battle.
Satan seeks to harass all Christians- especially the ones who are being blessed by God. IF you are succeeding you might well expect that the devil will try to make your life miserable. Even so, the thing to do is not to give up, but keep on going. May the Lord give you the courage today, even if you "are going through hell" to keep on going today.
Have a blessed day!
Prayer: Dear Lord, I am going through a battle today. Satan's cronies are trying to make my life a living hell- hoping to disappoint and discourage me in the work that I do for you. Help me first of all to be patient and not to lose my cool. Secondly, help me to be gracious, but firm in my resolve to keep pressing forward no matter what people are thinking about the situation. Thirdly, may I give glory to You because You will vindicate me in the end. I put on the full armor of God today, and move forward with the Sword of the Spirit of the Word of God drawn and ready to strike should Satan mount an assault against me. God, please go with me, and keep me going. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
06 August 2009 Devotion for Today “Bad News” Ezra 4:18-24
They say that good news travels fast- but bad news even faster. Disappointment and discouragement often follow. To follow up on the frustrations of yesterday, this is the outcome of what God’s people had to face as they began to rebuild the city of Jerusalem”
18 The letter which you sent to us has been clearly read before me. 19 And I gave the command, and a search has been made, and it was found that this city in former times has revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it. 20 There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the region beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them. 21 Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me. 22 Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?
23 Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease. 24 Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. (Ezra 4:18-24)
The letter from the king came as bad news to the resettled people of Jerusalem. Their enemies sent a nasty letter to King Cyrus telling him that they were plotting to rebel against his authority. Apparently the king had other things on his mind and had forgotten that he had commissioned the people of Israel to rebuild the Temple. But he never actually told them to rebuild the walls or the fortifications around the city. Perhaps the misunderstanding was based upon an assumption. Their enemies saw the letter, as a matter of public record, and accused the Jews of going beyond the limits of their contract with the king and appealed to him. Knowing that he did not have the extra military to put down a feud between Israel and her enemies, commanded that the further work be stopped. This came as a great disappointment to the Jews who had labored on the city for months. Work would begin again but not for several more years.
Are you facing disappointment today? Maybe you received news that you were hoping would not come. Perhaps it is coming by means of some misguided person who is causing you stress and wreaking havoc with your plans. Perhaps this is the time, instead of insisting on your rights, to go directly to God in prayer. It is easier to deal with the let-down of disappointment when we acknowledge that the King of Kings has everything in His control.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am frustrated and very disappointed by the turn of events that I see before me. Things were going so well, but now the enemy of my soul seeks to thwart me and hurt me. It really hurts to see all my hard work go for nothing. But I submit to You today in obedience, knowing that trying to fight will only make things worse. Give me the patience to bide my time, and to wait for Your signal to move forward again. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Have a blessed day!
They say that good news travels fast- but bad news even faster. Disappointment and discouragement often follow. To follow up on the frustrations of yesterday, this is the outcome of what God’s people had to face as they began to rebuild the city of Jerusalem”
18 The letter which you sent to us has been clearly read before me. 19 And I gave the command, and a search has been made, and it was found that this city in former times has revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it. 20 There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the region beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them. 21 Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me. 22 Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?
23 Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease. 24 Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. (Ezra 4:18-24)
The letter from the king came as bad news to the resettled people of Jerusalem. Their enemies sent a nasty letter to King Cyrus telling him that they were plotting to rebel against his authority. Apparently the king had other things on his mind and had forgotten that he had commissioned the people of Israel to rebuild the Temple. But he never actually told them to rebuild the walls or the fortifications around the city. Perhaps the misunderstanding was based upon an assumption. Their enemies saw the letter, as a matter of public record, and accused the Jews of going beyond the limits of their contract with the king and appealed to him. Knowing that he did not have the extra military to put down a feud between Israel and her enemies, commanded that the further work be stopped. This came as a great disappointment to the Jews who had labored on the city for months. Work would begin again but not for several more years.
Are you facing disappointment today? Maybe you received news that you were hoping would not come. Perhaps it is coming by means of some misguided person who is causing you stress and wreaking havoc with your plans. Perhaps this is the time, instead of insisting on your rights, to go directly to God in prayer. It is easier to deal with the let-down of disappointment when we acknowledge that the King of Kings has everything in His control.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am frustrated and very disappointed by the turn of events that I see before me. Things were going so well, but now the enemy of my soul seeks to thwart me and hurt me. It really hurts to see all my hard work go for nothing. But I submit to You today in obedience, knowing that trying to fight will only make things worse. Give me the patience to bide my time, and to wait for Your signal to move forward again. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Have a blessed day!
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
05 August 2009 Devotion for Today “Frustrations” Ezra 4: 1-5
05 August 2009 Devotion for Today “Frustrations” Ezra 4: 1-5
1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel said to them, “You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God; but we alone will build to the LORD God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.” 4 Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, 5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. (Ezra 4: 1-5)
Young William Wilberforce was discouraged one night in the early 1790s after another defeat in his 10 year battle against the slave trade in England. Tired and frustrated, he opened his Bible and began to leaf through it. A small piece of paper fell out and fluttered to the floor. It was a letter written by John Wesley shortly before his death. Wilberforce read it again: "Unless the divine power has raised you up... I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that (abominable practice of slavery), which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? Oh, be not weary of well-doing. Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might." (Daily Bread, June 16, 1989.)
I believe it would be safe to say that everyone has frustrations in life. Frustrations are as much a part of life as breathing and eating. I do not wish to discourage you on this fine day, but if things are going well right now, it is only because the devil has not heard of your high spirits and will soon find out. Don’t be surprised if he should send one of his demons over to mess it up for you. The situation that we find in our text in the book of Ezra was no different. At the end of the previous chapter, there was great jubilation over the laying of the foundation and with the construction of the Temple. The people’s spirits soared. But as soon as we go to the fourth chapter, the people began to encounter trouble from the pagan occupants of the land. They asked first if they could build with them- meaning- they had hoped to establish the Temple as an “inter-religious” center- make it a place where all the pagan religions and the Hebrew God could be worshipped in the ideal of peace, harmony and co-existence. This was a noble idea, but a worldly one. Satan loves to inject this ideal everywhere he can by diminishing the importance and the power of the One True God by placing Him at the same level of all other faiths and religions. The main reason that the leading pagan citizens wanted to do this was greed. They could not afford to build their own pagan temples as they desired, and they saw that the Israelites carried with them much money. Should the Israelites rebuild their old Temple, in time they would become more powerful than the pagans and soon displace them. The Israelites returned their request by an equally gracious but firm “No!” Soon afterward, they started playing “hard ball” with Ezra, Zerubabbel, and the Israelites and began to harass and to frustrate their efforts.
You may encounter several different types of frustrations today; some may be caused by circumstances, while others may be caused by people. Those caused by people usually come about because they do not understand your purpose or because, more likely, they feel threatened by you for some reason. Resist treating them badly for the sake of your witness to them. Reacting to the frustration they are causing you will likely make the situation much worse. Remember that Satan is the real enemy here, and when we submit to God, resist the devil, he will flee from us. (James 4:7).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me not to become disheartened by the frustrations that I encounter today. Instead may I meet my frustrator with the power and the love of Jesus Christ. Help me not to become bitter in my reactions to the people who seem to want to thwart my goals today, but to look beyond them to the evil one who tempts them to be afraid of the power of Christ in me. Help me overcome the frustration I have that I may bring you greater glory, and to seek more time with you in prayer over it. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel said to them, “You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God; but we alone will build to the LORD God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.” 4 Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, 5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. (Ezra 4: 1-5)
Young William Wilberforce was discouraged one night in the early 1790s after another defeat in his 10 year battle against the slave trade in England. Tired and frustrated, he opened his Bible and began to leaf through it. A small piece of paper fell out and fluttered to the floor. It was a letter written by John Wesley shortly before his death. Wilberforce read it again: "Unless the divine power has raised you up... I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that (abominable practice of slavery), which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? Oh, be not weary of well-doing. Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might." (Daily Bread, June 16, 1989.)
I believe it would be safe to say that everyone has frustrations in life. Frustrations are as much a part of life as breathing and eating. I do not wish to discourage you on this fine day, but if things are going well right now, it is only because the devil has not heard of your high spirits and will soon find out. Don’t be surprised if he should send one of his demons over to mess it up for you. The situation that we find in our text in the book of Ezra was no different. At the end of the previous chapter, there was great jubilation over the laying of the foundation and with the construction of the Temple. The people’s spirits soared. But as soon as we go to the fourth chapter, the people began to encounter trouble from the pagan occupants of the land. They asked first if they could build with them- meaning- they had hoped to establish the Temple as an “inter-religious” center- make it a place where all the pagan religions and the Hebrew God could be worshipped in the ideal of peace, harmony and co-existence. This was a noble idea, but a worldly one. Satan loves to inject this ideal everywhere he can by diminishing the importance and the power of the One True God by placing Him at the same level of all other faiths and religions. The main reason that the leading pagan citizens wanted to do this was greed. They could not afford to build their own pagan temples as they desired, and they saw that the Israelites carried with them much money. Should the Israelites rebuild their old Temple, in time they would become more powerful than the pagans and soon displace them. The Israelites returned their request by an equally gracious but firm “No!” Soon afterward, they started playing “hard ball” with Ezra, Zerubabbel, and the Israelites and began to harass and to frustrate their efforts.
You may encounter several different types of frustrations today; some may be caused by circumstances, while others may be caused by people. Those caused by people usually come about because they do not understand your purpose or because, more likely, they feel threatened by you for some reason. Resist treating them badly for the sake of your witness to them. Reacting to the frustration they are causing you will likely make the situation much worse. Remember that Satan is the real enemy here, and when we submit to God, resist the devil, he will flee from us. (James 4:7).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me not to become disheartened by the frustrations that I encounter today. Instead may I meet my frustrator with the power and the love of Jesus Christ. Help me not to become bitter in my reactions to the people who seem to want to thwart my goals today, but to look beyond them to the evil one who tempts them to be afraid of the power of Christ in me. Help me overcome the frustration I have that I may bring you greater glory, and to seek more time with you in prayer over it. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Monday, August 03, 2009
04 August 2009 Devotion for Today "The Good Old Days" Ezra 3:12-13
12But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
13So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Humorist Will Rogers once said, "Things ain't what they used to be, and probably never was!" He was right. We remember the so-called, "good old days," but when they were in the current time, they may not have been appreciated for the "good old days" that they were. My grandmother, now in her 95th year, still regales us with tales of the Great Depression. Yet she quips, "I never remember anything "great" about the Great Depression!" She and my grandfather were married and struggled to feed their young children-scratching out a living as farm workers who worked for what they ate. What was good about that time were the values they learned in those years when life was harsh and cold- namely; hard work and valuing what they had. The older I get, the more I reflect upon the memories of my own generation; but I also appreciate the needs of those who are younger than I am. The greatest gift that I can give those who come after me is to give them a model they would want to emulate, and giving them the freedom to learn from their own mistakes.
The resettlers of Israel probably struggled with the bitter memories of the "good old days." When the new Temple was revealed, most of the people- those who comprised the younger generation, cheered. But the old heads who remembered what the old Temple looked like, wailed in sorrow and disappointment. The new Temple did not compare with the one of their memories. The mixture of tears of joy and tears of sadness was difficult to distinguish. However, these tears flowed together to merge into a river of hope that the worst of both the past, as well as the present, were overcome by the timeless, eternal God who restored them to the land and gave them the promise of a future.
We face some of the same tensions in our own day, where technology and culture is changing at such an alarming rate that its a struggle to keep up. Yet we still follow the same God whom the people under Ezra's leadership followed and celebrated. What is more, is that God continues to reveal Himself with greater opportunities to get to know Him. Its good to reflect on memories, but God is interested in us making new memories with Him. You can never be bored when your relationship with Him is growing.
Have a blessed day!
12But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
13So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Humorist Will Rogers once said, "Things ain't what they used to be, and probably never was!" He was right. We remember the so-called, "good old days," but when they were in the current time, they may not have been appreciated for the "good old days" that they were. My grandmother, now in her 95th year, still regales us with tales of the Great Depression. Yet she quips, "I never remember anything "great" about the Great Depression!" She and my grandfather were married and struggled to feed their young children-scratching out a living as farm workers who worked for what they ate. What was good about that time were the values they learned in those years when life was harsh and cold- namely; hard work and valuing what they had. The older I get, the more I reflect upon the memories of my own generation; but I also appreciate the needs of those who are younger than I am. The greatest gift that I can give those who come after me is to give them a model they would want to emulate, and giving them the freedom to learn from their own mistakes.
The resettlers of Israel probably struggled with the bitter memories of the "good old days." When the new Temple was revealed, most of the people- those who comprised the younger generation, cheered. But the old heads who remembered what the old Temple looked like, wailed in sorrow and disappointment. The new Temple did not compare with the one of their memories. The mixture of tears of joy and tears of sadness was difficult to distinguish. However, these tears flowed together to merge into a river of hope that the worst of both the past, as well as the present, were overcome by the timeless, eternal God who restored them to the land and gave them the promise of a future.
We face some of the same tensions in our own day, where technology and culture is changing at such an alarming rate that its a struggle to keep up. Yet we still follow the same God whom the people under Ezra's leadership followed and celebrated. What is more, is that God continues to reveal Himself with greater opportunities to get to know Him. Its good to reflect on memories, but God is interested in us making new memories with Him. You can never be bored when your relationship with Him is growing.
Have a blessed day!
03 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Laying Foundations in Worship" Ezra 3:10-11
03 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Laying Foundations in Worship" Ezra 3:10-11
10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests stood[d] in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel. 11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD:“For He is good,For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.”
Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid."
The scene portrayed in this passage is the dedication of the laying of the foundation for what would be the newly rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. This followed soon after the repatriation of Israel from their exile in Babylon. Under Ezra their chief priest, they engaged in an assembly of worship and praise to the Lord. It was certainly a time of celebration- almost like a party! They sang, they shouted, they played musical instruments, and gave thanks. The mood was joyful and exciting. This was somewhat different than what one finds in many churches today where some worshippers are too scared to open up their mouths. The Temple of the Lord was built on bedrock, yes- but the foundation was literally built upon worship and praise.
As I reflect upon our culture of Christian worship, we tend to have things reversed. When we call a pastor, we want to know if he can preach a good sermon, but no one ever asks if he can lead a good worship service. The center of the worship service is built around the sermon- because people want to hear something they can take away from the service. The pressure is on to keep the service short, familiar, and predictable- after all, we don't want to take too much of God's time! It just occurs to me that the whole pattern in our culture is built around what we want, rather than what God wants- out of worship. Clearly this is not the right foundation- or attitude- for worship.
The passage doesn't tell us how long it took for the dedication service but it lasted as long as they wanted it to. They had 70 years of expression to get out of their system and they were not about to be limited by a few cranks holding on to a rigid order of service. We should worship as long as it takes for our spirits to connect to God's Spirit where there is the fullest expression and communication between God and the people. Few can qualify that in terms of the dimensions of time since God does not operate on our timetable. But if our worship services are driven by the clock, then they are not built on the right foundation. If our motivation centers around what we get out of the service than what we put into it, we are building on the wrong foundation.
Prayer: Lord, is my worship built on the right foundation? Have I spent the time that it takes to give you a sacrifice of praise as I came into the house of the Lord this week? Does my love for You reflect how much time I spend with You? Father, am I just more concerned from what I get from You rather than what I bring to You. May I bring a sacrifice of praise to You today, and may I continue in it until You are satisfied and not just myself. May I celebrate all that You have done and praise You the way You deserve to be. Help me not to be self-conscious, but aware only of the time I have with You. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Have a blessed day!
10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests stood[d] in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel. 11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD:“For He is good,For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.”
Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid."
The scene portrayed in this passage is the dedication of the laying of the foundation for what would be the newly rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. This followed soon after the repatriation of Israel from their exile in Babylon. Under Ezra their chief priest, they engaged in an assembly of worship and praise to the Lord. It was certainly a time of celebration- almost like a party! They sang, they shouted, they played musical instruments, and gave thanks. The mood was joyful and exciting. This was somewhat different than what one finds in many churches today where some worshippers are too scared to open up their mouths. The Temple of the Lord was built on bedrock, yes- but the foundation was literally built upon worship and praise.
As I reflect upon our culture of Christian worship, we tend to have things reversed. When we call a pastor, we want to know if he can preach a good sermon, but no one ever asks if he can lead a good worship service. The center of the worship service is built around the sermon- because people want to hear something they can take away from the service. The pressure is on to keep the service short, familiar, and predictable- after all, we don't want to take too much of God's time! It just occurs to me that the whole pattern in our culture is built around what we want, rather than what God wants- out of worship. Clearly this is not the right foundation- or attitude- for worship.
The passage doesn't tell us how long it took for the dedication service but it lasted as long as they wanted it to. They had 70 years of expression to get out of their system and they were not about to be limited by a few cranks holding on to a rigid order of service. We should worship as long as it takes for our spirits to connect to God's Spirit where there is the fullest expression and communication between God and the people. Few can qualify that in terms of the dimensions of time since God does not operate on our timetable. But if our worship services are driven by the clock, then they are not built on the right foundation. If our motivation centers around what we get out of the service than what we put into it, we are building on the wrong foundation.
Prayer: Lord, is my worship built on the right foundation? Have I spent the time that it takes to give you a sacrifice of praise as I came into the house of the Lord this week? Does my love for You reflect how much time I spend with You? Father, am I just more concerned from what I get from You rather than what I bring to You. May I bring a sacrifice of praise to You today, and may I continue in it until You are satisfied and not just myself. May I celebrate all that You have done and praise You the way You deserve to be. Help me not to be self-conscious, but aware only of the time I have with You. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Have a blessed day!
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