Today’s Reading: Zechariah 3-6, Psalm 87

God chose two men to play an important role in the rebuilding of the Temple and also in the rebuilding of the nation. He placed Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel as governor of Judah (you can find him in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1), and he installed Jeshua son of Jehozadak as high priest (Haggai 2:2).

The passage of Scripture in the third chapter of Zechariah beautifully describes how Jeshua was cleansed from his sins and called by God. Before you read the passage, I ask you to prepare your heart. Picture that this passage is about you. Satan is pointing out all the times you have sinned, revealing all your imperfections; but the Lord is rejecting Satan’s accusations, saving you from the pit of hell and clothing you with redemption. Claim this Scripture today and rebuke Satan for the ways in which he tries to discourage you and tell you that you are not worthy or capable of what God has told you to do. Put yourself in place of Jeshua the high priest, coming out of exile and receiving his call from God.

CALLED BY GOD FOR A SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT

Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”

Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.”

Then I said, “They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes, while the angel of the Lord stood by.

Then the angel of the Lord spoke very solemnly to Jeshua and said, “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here. – Zechariah 3:1-7

My love for you is passionate and strong. So take off the filthy clothes of your past. I have taken away your sins and I am giving you fine new clothes — priestly garments that come with a calling. SO follow my ways and carefully serve me, for I am giving you a job to do.

When the accuser tells you that you cannot do what God has called you to do or that you cannot live the holy life that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies expects, remind him of the Lord’s words to Zerubbabel:

It is not by force nor by strength, but BY MY SPIRIT, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain for him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone at the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!” – Zechariah 4:6-7

EQUIPPED BY GOD FOR THE CALL OF GOD

God had commissioned Zerubbabel to rebuild the Temple — not an easy task. God had commissioned Jeshua to rebuild the Temple worship — also not an easy task. But He was not asking them to do it of their own strength. In that regard, the Accuser is right. We are not capable of doing what God is asking us to do. At least not of our own strength. But God equips us, He fills us, He works through us to accomplish His will. Where there seem to be mountains before us, God is capable of leveling the path ahead. And WHEN GOD IS IN IT, GOD WILL BLESS IT!

“…But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I AM WITH YOU, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do NOT be afraid.” – Haggai 2:4-5

Be strong! I have cleansed you and clothed you in new garments. I am the God of what is ahead. I am in the middle of what I am asking you to do and I will bless it. I am the God of your yesterdays and you have been forgiven, so flee from your captivity and stop wearing those filthy clothes. Do not be afraid. I am with you.

Jesus, the name that charms our fears / That bids our sorrows cease / ‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears / ‘Tis life and health and peace / He breaks the power of canceled sin / He sets the prisoners free / His blood can make the foulest clean / His blood availed for me [O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, Charles Wesley]

Today’s Reading: Psalm 51 & 80

Return, rebuild, renew, REPENT.

Return to me. Come to me. Pursue my ways for I have redeemed you.
Rebuild my house. Create space in your life to worship me. Be satisfied with me.
Renew your passion. Be strong in the Lord. Trust me. I will provide.
Repent. Turn from your sin. Return to me.

Then Haggai asked, “If someone becomes ceremonially unclean by touching a dead person and then touches any of these foods, will the food be defiled?”
And the priests answered, “Yes.”
Then Haggai responded, “That is how it is with this people and this nation, says the Lord. Everything they do and everything they offer is defiled by their sin.” – Haggai 2:13-14

In order for God to fully RENEW the relationship with His people, He needed them to REPENT. He reminded them of how little their crops produced before they rebuilt the Temple and asked them to look and see how He was now blessing them after the Temple had been restored. “Think carefully,” the Lord said. God desired to bless them but was requiring them to turn from their sin — to repent.

What does God want to do in our lives? In what ways does the Keeper of the silver and the gold — the Keeper of all blessings — desire to bless us?

Repent. Turn from your sin. Return to me and I will return to you.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. – Psalm 51:1-2

Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.
Make your face shine down upon us.
Only then will we be saved. – Psalm 80:19

RETURN, REBUILD, RENEW and REPENT.
RETURN – “Come away!” “Flee from your captivity!” Walk away from your sin and return to me.
REBUILD – Do the necessary work to RESTORE our relationship to where it once was.
RENEW – Make a new covenant with me so that our relationship can be renewed.
REPENT – Turn from your sin so that I can bless you the way I desire to bless you.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psalm 51:7-10

Repent. Turn from your sin. Return to me and I will return to you.

Today’s Reading: Haggai 2, Psalm 48

Return, rebuild, RENEW, repent.

Return to me. Come to me. Pursue my ways for I have redeemed you.
Rebuild my house. Create space in your life to worship me. Be satisfied with me.
Renew your passion. Be strong in the Lord. Trust me. I will provide.

You are getting what you deserve, but here’s how to deserve what you wish you were getting — Return to me and I will return to you. This is essentially what God was saying. God desired to lavish wonderful gifts on His children but He needed to get their attention because His intent was not only that they return to their land, His intent was that they return to Him. He wanted them to RETURN and REBUILD so that He could RENEW His relationship with them.

“Does anyone remember this house—this Temple—in its former splendor? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all! But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.” – Haggai 2:3-5

I am here. My Spirit remains among you, so do not be afraid but pursue the calling I have placed on your life. Do not hesitate but follow me with strength and with zeal. Let your love for me ignite a passion within you to serve me.

Renew your passion. Be strong in the Lord. Trust me. I will provide.

The people began to fear the Lord and a new enthusiasm for building the Temple was ignited in their hearts. They finished the Temple but realized that the new Temple was nowhere close to the splendor of the previous Temple. God reminded them that He is the keeper of the silver and the gold (2:8). He promised them that a day would come when He would restore glory to His Temple beyond its past glory, just like He was restoring their hearts and igniting a passion within them.

Passion for your house has consumed me… – Psalm 69:9a

O God, we meditate on your unfailing love
as we worship in your Temple.
As your name deserves, O God,
you will be praised to the ends of the earth.
Your strong right hand is filled with victory.
Let the people on Mount Zion rejoice.
Let all the towns of Judah be glad
because of your justice.
Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem.
Walk around and count the many towers.
Take note of the fortified walls,
and tour all the citadels,
that you may describe them
to future generations.
For that is what God is like.
He is our God forever and ever,
and he will guide us until we die. – Psalm 48:9-14

Praise God! I am so thankful that our God desires a relationship with us. I am so grateful for His grace that renews a right spirit within us. We are so blessed to experience His Spirit living with us, who is producing a passion for the things of God. God is so good and we are blessed to be loved by Him.

As we enter a new season of life, let’s allow God to ignite a new flame inside of us and give us a new fervor for receiving all that He has for us. Let’s pursue His purposes in the midst of the chaos; let’s chase after our calling knowing that He is our God forever and ever, and we can trust Him to provide.

Renew your passion. Be strong in the Lord. Trust me. I will provide.

Today’s Reading: Haggai 1, Psalm 99

Return, REBUILD, renew, repent.

Return to me. Come to me. Pursue my ways for I have redeemed you.
Rebuild my house. Create space in your life to worship me. Be satisfied with me.

The people had returned to Judah and started to rebuild the temple, but their enthusiasm soon turned to discouragement and then to apathy. They turned their focus to their own homes and started making a living for themselves without restoring worship back into the community. Here is God’s response:

“Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. Your drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes.”

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Army says: Look at what’s happening to you! Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord. You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. It’s because of you that the heavens withhold the dew and the earth produces no crops. I have called for a drought on your fields and hills – a drought to starve you and your livestock and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get.” – Haggai 1:4-11

Some were saying it was the wrong time to start rebuilding the Temple. The foundation had been laid but no growth was taking place. God’s people had settled for an altar on a foundation when God was calling them to so much more.

Rebuild my house. Create space in your life to worship me. Be satisfied with me.

Complacency had settled in and the people had made themselves comfortable. They had everything they needed – nice homes, food, drink, clothes, income — but they were not satisfied because the only thing that truly satisfies in Jesus. We can have lots of nice things and our basic needs can be taken care of, but it’s nothing if we are living in disobedience to what God has asked us to do.

So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. – Haggai 1:14

Lord, we pray that you will forgive us for our complacency and wake us up from our apathy. May we hear your voice today calling us to more — calling us to obedience. Lord, break down our resistance and spark a new enthusiasm in us. Help us to see the areas of our life that need repaired; help us to see the areas of ministry that need rebuilt, especially since the destruction of the recent pandemic. Wake up our churches that choose to slumber and give them a renewed passion for building your kingdom. Dust off our bibles and give us a new song. Let us never become so comfortable that we become satisfied with the bare minimums instead of growing in our relationship with you.

Praise him, O heaven and earth,
the seas and all that move in them.
For God will save Jerusalem
and rebuild the towns of Judah.
His people will live there
and settle in their own land.
The descendants of those who obey him will inherit the land,
and those who love him will live there in safety. – Psalm 69:34-36

Rebuild my house. Create space in your life to worship me. Be satisfied with me.

Today’s Reading: Zechariah 1-2

RETURN, rebuild, renew, repent.

Return to me. Come to me. Pursue my ways for I have redeemed you.

The Lord says, “Come away! Flee from Babylon in the land of the north, for I have scattered you to the four winds. Come away, people of Zion, you who are exiled in Babylon!” – Zechariah 2:6-7

Yet even now, be free from your captivity! Leave Babylon and the Babylonians.
Sing out this message! Shout it to the ends of the earth!
The Lord has redeemed his servants, the people of Israel. – Isaiah 48:20

Just as God had promised, the exile for the Hebrews ended after seventy years. Cyrus the Great, King of Persia, conquered Babylon and allowed all of the nations exiled to Babylon to return to their homelands. He did this in order to form alliances with these nations, expecting loyalty in future diplomatic matters. The Jews returned to Judah and Jerusalem. The stories of their return are recorded by the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, Nehemiah and Malachi. God was calling His people to return – return to the Promised Land and return to Him.

“I, the Lord, was very angry with your ancestors. Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’ Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’

“Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead. But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do.’” – Zechariah 1:2-6

I once heard someone say, “We may waiver in our faith, but God never waivers in His faithfulness.” That is so true. God is consistent and we can trust that He will do what He says He will do. The same God who was calling to the fickle Israelites to return to Him is offering us grace when we stray away. He opens the way for us to RETURN to Him so that we can once again be drawn into His presence.

Return to me. Come to me. Pursue my ways for I have redeemed you.

The Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you. The land of Judah will be the Lord’s special possession in the holy land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem to be his own city. Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.” – Zechariah 2:10-13

What a powerful visual of God’s love for us. He is springing into action on our behalf and happy to do it! He was coming to live among His people in order to show them mercy and carry out His plan of redemption. That’s how much He loves us! He desires to create a path of reconciliation for us to travel as we return to Him — as we flee from our “Babylon”. He came to us so that we could come to Him — so that we could be set free from our captivity. He describes this love for us as passionate and strong (1:14).

Are you praying for a prodigal in your life to RETURN to the Lord? Are you hoping they will turn from the evil ways of this world and receive all God has planned for them? I join you today in praying for those who are lost. May they hear the call of Jesus to come to Him. May they understand the extent Christ went to for them to be redeemed and set free.

Return to me. Come to me. Pursue my ways for I have redeemed you.

Today’s Reading: Daniel 11-12; Psalm 129

In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship. When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. – Daniel 10:1-2

Daniel’s visions spoke of what would happen in the near future and also what would happen at the end of time. Daniel’s vision spoke of a long battle between the king of the north and the king of the south — how each would plot against each other and attempt to deceive each other. With Israel positioned between the two nations, the wrath of the battle will be poured out against the people of the holy covenant. The king of the north will reward those who forsake the covenant, flattering and winning them over.

But the people who KNOW their God will be strong and will resist him. – Daniel 11:32

THOSE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD WILL BE STRONG AND ABLE TO RESIST THEIR OPPRESSOR!

Praise God! The God who draws us into a personal relationship with Him strengthens us through that relationship. It is our connection, our intimacy with God that gives us the strength to resist evil. And it is the experience of facing a battle with evil that changes us. It refines us, cleanses us and makes us pure.

And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come. – Daniel 11:35

Praise God! He does not leave us alone during difficult times. He does not ask us to do something by ourselves, of our own strength. He is with us. His angels are defending us. He is strengthening us for that to which he has called us. Then he allows the difficult times to refine us, and to make us clean and pure before Him.

The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. – Psalm 29:11

I am so thankful this morning that our God gives us strength. I have prayed a lot this year for strength and peace, and God has been faithful. This year would have been a lot more difficult if I had not felt that connection with God. I pray that God will use today’s verses to encourage you whether you are going through persecution, temptation, or difficulties.

God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. – Psalm 68:35

God revealed to Daniel what was happening in the spiritual realms, unseen in the earthly realm. What a gift to see beyond our current reality. There is a spiritual battle taking place on behalf of God’s people, and God has commissioned His archangels to fight the battles. It is difficult for us to understand and comprehend the descriptive visions, just as it was difficult for Daniel. Theologians disagree on the meaning of these last three chapters of Daniel, but in this passage we can hear God saying – I will fight the battle; I will be victorious! (Daniel 10:13-14, 20-21).

At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. – Daniel 12:1-3

From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me.
Let all Israel repeat this:
From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me,
but they have never defeated me.
My back is covered with cuts,
as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.
But the Lord is good;
he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly. — Psalm 129:1-4

LIFE IS HARD BUT THE LORD IS GOOD! LET US PRAISE THE LORD TOGETHER!

The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him. And they said,
“We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty,
the one who is and who always was,
for now you have assumed your great power
and have begun to reign.
The nations were filled with wrath,
but now the time of your wrath has come.” – Revelation 11:16-18a

Today’s Reading: Daniel 10, Psalm 28

What God was asking of Daniel was huge! His visions left him feeling weak, as if all his strength had left him. Can you relate? Has your life journey or the life situations you are facing left you drained of all energy and strength? Are you feeling alone or unheard? May these words to Daniel wash over you and give you strength. May you hear the voice of God and picture the heavenly realms today. May you know with confidence that you are loved by God and that you are most definitely not alone. God is listening. May you feel the hand of God touch you and lift you up today.

My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak. Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.” – Daniel 10:8b-12

Notice the progression of Daniel’s position. He faints and lays with his face to the ground. The hand of God touches him and lifts him up, but only to his hands and knees. Then, with a voice that roared like a vast multitude of people, the man of God told Daniel to stand up. Then Daniel, still trembling, stood up.

DO YOU EVER FIND IT HARD TO PRAY?

Have you ever been so drained from your life experiences, from the struggles and troubles surrounding you, that it was difficult for you to pray? You fall on your face before God and perhaps weep, but there are no words.

There are times when we need the strength of God simply to get on our knees and to be able to come before him and speak — to pray what we are feeling and present our requests to Him. He is just the kind of God to give us the strength we need to pray. Praise God! He also loves us enough to tell us when to stand, to confirm to us that He has heard our prayers.

While he was speaking to me, I looked down to the ground, unable to say a word. Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak. How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.” – Daniel 10:15-17

DO YOU EVER FIND IT HARD TO BREATHE?

It’s too much! It’s more than I can handle! I can’t breathe! Have you ever spoken these words or prayed something similar? There are times when what God is asking us to do or asking us to experience seems impossible, seems too big for us. At times the situation ahead is difficult, painful, and overwhelming. Listen to God’s words to Daniel:

“Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As he spoke to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.” – Daniel 10:19

JUST A WORD FROM GOD AND WE SUDDENLY FEEL STRONGER!

When God speaks, there is a new hope born in us that strengthens us for what is ahead. Praise God, He gives us the strength we need. When we do not have the words to describe what we need or what we are asking God to do for us, He understands our heart and knows our thoughts. That awareness alone can give us the strength we need to put one foot in front of the other, trusting Him to lead us into the unknown.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. – Romans 8:26-30

Lord, give us a word from you today. Hear our requests and strengthen us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, align our hearts with the heart of the God who knows us, who hears us, who sees us, and who lovingly says — You are precious to me. Be encouraged. Be strong. Amen.

The Lord gives his people strength. – Psalm 28:8a

Today’s Reading: Ezra 3:7 – 6:14, Psalm 147

With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: “He is good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!” Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid. – Ezra 3:11

When the foundation of the Temple was completed in their second year back in Jerusalem, the people stopped to celebrate. Many wept aloud. Others were shouting for joy. The sounds of the shouts and weeping could be heard far into the distance.

Praise the Lord!
How good to sing praises to our God!
How delightful and how fitting!
The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem
and bringing the exiles back to Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
and bandages their wounds.
He counts the stars and calls them all by name.
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension! – Psalm 147:1-5

As often happens when things are going well, opposition began to arise among those from other nations who were living in Jerusalem. They wrote a letter back to King Artaxerxes of Persia convincing him to stop the reconstruction of the Temple. Then, with a show of strength, they forced the Jews to stop building. The construction remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia (Ezra 4:23-24).

This was around the same time that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah were encouraging God’s people to finish what they had started as God had commanded. The building started back up again, as did the opposition. God’s people had confidence that God was watching over them (5:5) and the local residents once again tattled back to the King, reporting that the work was progressing with great energy and success.

King Darius, however, found a scroll with the decree from King Cyrus that the Temple should be rebuilt on the site where the Jews used to offer their sacrifices, using the original foundation (6:3). His reply back to the opposition was to “stay away…do not disturb…let it be rebuilt…do not hinder…Moreover, I hereby decree that you are to help these elders of the Jews as they rebuild this Temple of God. You must pay the full construction costs, without delay, from my taxes collected in the province west of the Euphrates River so that the work will not be interrupted” (Ezra 6:6-8).

King Darius also donated young bulls, rams, and male lambs to be used for burnt offerings presented to the God of heaven, as well as wheat, salt, wine and olive oil. His desire was that the Israelites would present acceptable sacrifices to God and pray for King Darius and his sons.

Do you ever just get tickled at these kinds of stories? We still hear them today! What others do in hopes of harming or discouraging us, God makes into opportunities to bless us! What comes in the form of OPPOSITION becomes OPPORTUNITY. Today’s morning coffee was rich with encouragement for me.

• When we are unified with one purpose given by God, we have the strength to move forward even in the midst of fear and opposition.
• When God works through us to accomplish His will, it is time to celebrate and give Him praise!
• When faced with opposition, trust in God to make something wonderful come out of the struggles.

When opposition grows against us, let’s be encouraged to keep pressing forward. We need to continue to do what God has called us to do, even when commanded to do something different. We need to trust that something beautiful will come out of the struggle.

May this message in Ezra give us a new perspective. Let’s celebrate ALL that is going on in our lives and give Him praise, trusting that OPPOSITION will become OPPORTUNITY for God to do something wonderful in our hearts and in our lives. Let’s move forward in strength, praising God for all He has done and will continue to do in our lives.

Today’s Reading: Ezra 1-3:6, 1 Chronicles 9, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Psalm 126

The Persian Empire grew in power, overthrowing the Babylonians and changing the climate in which the exiled Jews were living. This new leader, King Cyrus, had a policy of setting captives free. And, of course, the timing of this change happened at exactly the time God promised it would.

GOD’S HAND WAS NOT ONLY EVIDENT, IT WAS OBVIOUS.

This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are the Lord’s people may go there for this task. And may the Lord your God be with you!” – 2 Chronicles 36:23

God stirred the heart of King Cyrus of Persia to let the Israelites return to Jerusalem for the specific purpose of rebuilding the Temple. Then God stirred the hearts of the priests, Levites and all the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. This stirring of hearts created a culture of generosity. Cyrus generously returned 5400 articles of silver and gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple. Those who had lived among the Israelites and who had been their neighbors for so many years also gave generously of silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock. They voluntarily lavished God’s people with valuable gifts to take with them.

GOD’S GENEROSITY WAS NOT ONLY EVIDENT, IT WAS OBVIOUS.

In response to this generosity, the leaders of each family unit among the people of God returning to Jerusalem also gave voluntary offerings, each leader giving as much as they could. God was generous, stirring others’ hearts toward generosity, and the response was the desire of God’s people to also be generous (Ezra 2:68-69).

When God’s people arrived in Jerusalem, they assembled with a unified purpose – to rebuild God’s Temple. During the seventy years that the Israelites had been gone, other people groups had settled into the city, making it their home. God’s people were intimidated by the foreigners who had moved into their city, but they found the courage to rebuild the altar, overcoming their fear in favor of leaning into their faith. They began sacrificing burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord each morning and evening (Ezra 3:3).

Imagine the excitement after all these years to be back home again, offering daily sacrifices to God – dedicating each day to God. The first Festival they celebrated was the Festival of Shelters, reminding the people of God’s guidance and care for His people as they spent 40 years living in tents in the desert as they traveled from exile in Egypt to their new home in the Promised Land. Wow! How significant this must have been to the people as they had just completed their own journey living in tents, traveling from exile in Babylon back home to Jerusalem. God’s timing is always significant!

GOD’S PROVISION WAS NOT ONLY EVIDENT, IT WAS OBVIOUS.

When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,
it was like a dream!
We were filled with laughter,
and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said,
“What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
What joy!
Restore our fortunes, Lord,
as streams renew the desert.
Those who plant in tears
will harvest with shouts of joy.
They weep as they go to plant their seed,
but they sing as they return with the harvest. – Psalm 126

What a great reminder for us today! Father God, help us to always trust your timing and recognize your hand at work in our lives. Lord, we celebrate all of the amazing things you have done and are doing in our lives. We trust you for what is to come, even when it seems far away. We pray that you will create a stirring in our lives, reminding us that you are on the move. May others see our lives and say, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Amen.

Today’s Reading: Daniel 9, Psalm 66

Daniel was a young man when he was brought into the royal service, but he would have heard the stories of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob from his parents and grandparents. He might have celebrated Passover and heard how the angel of death passed over the homes of the Israelites. He would have heard the stories of how Moses led them out of captivity in Egypt into the Promised Land, and he most likely had the Ten Commandments memorized. Yet now, at this stage in his life, he was coming to a new understanding of what God had done for His people, despite their continued unfaithfulness generation after generation.

During the first year of King Darius’ reign, Daniel was studying the word of the Lord as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet. He read that this exile to Babylon was to last seventy years. It must have become apparent to him that the seventy years was coming close to completion. He saw the need for his countrymen and his people to fully repent and turn to God, so that their captivity could come to an end and they could return home to Jerusalem.

Daniel put his spiritual concerns ahead of his physical needs and began fasting; he turned to the Lord God in prayer, pleading for his people. He went into mourning by dressing in burlap and sprinkling himself with ashes. He took it upon himself to fall before the Lord and confess on behalf of the Israelites.

DO WE PRAY LIKE THAT?

Are we so concerned with the sins of our society that we fall on our knees and confess on behalf of our country? What would happen if we chose to pray like Daniel prayed — with fervency and desperation? What if we would weep as Jesus did when he looked out over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41)? What if we prayed this prayer:

“O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to your servants, the prophets…

“Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel, scattered near and far, wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you. O Lord, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. We have not obeyed the Lord our God, for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants the prophets…

“…we have refused to seek mercy from the Lord our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth. Therefore, the Lord has brought upon us the disaster he prepared. The Lord our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey him…

“O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary. O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city – the city that bears your name – lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy. O LORD, HEAR. O LORD, FORGIVE. O LORD, LISTEN AND ACT! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name.” – Daniel 9:4-19

DO WE PRAY LIKE THAT?

What happens next reminds us that God hears our prayers, sees our hearts and responds generously from His own heart. Consider what the angel Gabriel said to Daniel in response to his prayer, and hear God’s words to you this morning as you pour out your heart to Him.

“Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God…” – Daniel 9:22-23

Action was taken the moment Daniel began praying; the answer to his prayer began the moment he asked. Do we want to see God do something incredible for our nation in the next year? I think it is time to start praying for just that.

Dear Lord, this morning we come before you in repentance for our own sins and for the sins of our nation. Heavenly Father, you have poured out your blessings upon us and we have rebelled against you. As a nation, we have not obeyed you. O merciful God, lean down and listen to us this morning. We plea for your mercy on behalf of our country, even though we do not deserve it. O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! Please give us new insight and understanding. Like Daniel, may we hear from you today and feel your love. Amen.