Think back to the times when you felt the closest to God ... those moments when you could almost physically touch His presence. What were your circumstances? Well, if you are like me, the large majority of those times came during great duress, grief, and even turmoil ... often self-induced. On the other hand, the times I can recall failing the worst or falling the hardest, my surrounding circumstances were close to ideal. There wasn't anything looming over my head ... no serious stress factor.
In my reading today I was in Nehemiah 9 where the people confess their sins and the Levites praise God and plead with Him for freedom from slavery. They recount numerous times when God had mercy and rescued His people. Times would get better and sure enough the people would turn away from God in arrogance and land themselves right back in a bad predicament. When times were terrible they sought after God and committed themselves to Him. When times were good they grew complacent and rebelled against God. This cycle repeated over and over.
There are so many lessons here, but what strikes me the most about the Old Testament is how closely my own Christian life resembles the plight of the nation of Israel. When I'm down and out, oh do I plead to God! I probably pray 30 times a day. But when everything seems fine, I'll go several days without even taking time to crack open His word. How quickly I forget Him and get absorbed in my own selfish little world. All the while He holds the keys to eternity and freely offers the grace and empowerment to live an extraordinary life.
Man I'm foolish!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Firming Feeble Knees
"Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees"
Isaiah 35:3
One of my favorite things to do that I get to enjoy 2 or 3 times a year is a long mountain hike. It's a hobby many don't understand. Oh they get the "beautiful nature" thing and the attraction of incredible sights, but most can think of something they would rather do with their time than strenuous, sometimes dangerous mountain treking. But I find peace, connection with God and His creation, and personal gratification of completing a great task. I draw many spiritual connections and similarities between hiking and my walk as a Christian.
On a long and mountainous hike, backs ache, knees grow weak and hurt, feet are sore and blistered. Discouragement can set in early as your body takes a chastizing. You can quickly become bitter as pain increases. More than once you doubt your ability to make it. Being swallowed by this doubt and fear, it can be easy to want to give up ... find an easy road and walk away. As with our race of faith, God calls us to be renewed. "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Hebrews 12:3). If we like Jesus endure this chastening, "God deals with (us) as with sons" (vs.7). And how did He deal with Jesus after His suffering was finished and the race won? God sat Jesus at His right hand on the throne!
We are to renew our spiritual vitality. We must take time to be healed, strengthen faith, and continue the race. There were times on our long hikes that we had to stop, re-energize, re-motivate, and continue on the path. We must, in our race of faith, stop and pray, seeking wisdom and peace. God warns us to not become defiled, letting any root of bitterness spring up. Look to the prize! Look to the finish line! "We are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken" (Hebrews 12:28).
Now read Isaiah 35 to see God's promises for those who run the good race, and take some time to firm feeble knees. God loves you! Be renewed! Have faith!
Isaiah 35:3
One of my favorite things to do that I get to enjoy 2 or 3 times a year is a long mountain hike. It's a hobby many don't understand. Oh they get the "beautiful nature" thing and the attraction of incredible sights, but most can think of something they would rather do with their time than strenuous, sometimes dangerous mountain treking. But I find peace, connection with God and His creation, and personal gratification of completing a great task. I draw many spiritual connections and similarities between hiking and my walk as a Christian.
On a long and mountainous hike, backs ache, knees grow weak and hurt, feet are sore and blistered. Discouragement can set in early as your body takes a chastizing. You can quickly become bitter as pain increases. More than once you doubt your ability to make it. Being swallowed by this doubt and fear, it can be easy to want to give up ... find an easy road and walk away. As with our race of faith, God calls us to be renewed. "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Hebrews 12:3). If we like Jesus endure this chastening, "God deals with (us) as with sons" (vs.7). And how did He deal with Jesus after His suffering was finished and the race won? God sat Jesus at His right hand on the throne!
We are to renew our spiritual vitality. We must take time to be healed, strengthen faith, and continue the race. There were times on our long hikes that we had to stop, re-energize, re-motivate, and continue on the path. We must, in our race of faith, stop and pray, seeking wisdom and peace. God warns us to not become defiled, letting any root of bitterness spring up. Look to the prize! Look to the finish line! "We are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken" (Hebrews 12:28).
Now read Isaiah 35 to see God's promises for those who run the good race, and take some time to firm feeble knees. God loves you! Be renewed! Have faith!
Friday, December 3, 2010
God Wins!
Ezra Ch. 1- 6
Ch. 1 God Uses Whom He Wills To Fulfill His Purpose
In the 1st year of Cyrus King of Persia “in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah” God “stirred up the spirit” of Cyrus to “build Him a house in Jerusalem.”
The people of God had come out of captivity from the Babylonians (vs.5 – survivors). In order to fulfill His purpose God first spoke through Jeremiah and then “stirred up the spirit” of the king to fulfill His Word.
WOW #1: He used Jeremiah to proclaim His purpose
WOW #2: He moved a king to fulfill that proclamation
Ch. 2
The Lord Knows His People Personally
Every “survivor” was numbered and accounted for. God had a plan and purpose for each and every one – He is thorough and specific. Then there was the cleansing and the restoring His treasury. They removed priests unfit for the priesthood and sought first the kingdom of God. Their offerings didn’t compare with those of David’s time but they were acceptable to God. The Lord will ensure the success of our “undertakings entered on according to His will, with an aim to His glory, and dependence on His assistance” (Matthew Henry).
God Uses Common People
“Common people” were important to this rebuilding and are important in ALL His plans (Neh. 7:70-72).
Ch. 3
PRAISE!
God’s people had been chastised and punished for their unfaithfulness. Now they were being restored.
After blowing it so bad, how should we react? Gather, Worship, Celebrate, Work, and Sing!
First and foremost they were UNITED together as one. It could have been enough to be content with their arrival and resettlement … but they didn’t stop there. They immediately went to work on the #1 feature of the temple – the Altar – central to approaching God and seeking His blessing. They WORSHIP 1st.
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Tears & Cheers
Notice how some who were alive when the 1st temple was burned looked back and wept. This temple was plain compared to the other.
We have to be careful not to concentrate on the past lest we rob ourselves of the future.
Ch. 4 The Attack
Q. What’s a good sign you’re doing God’s will?
A. Satan Attacks.
Every work of the Lord draws the attention of the enemy. Vs. 2 – they tried to infiltrate: “Let us build with you …” (These were Jews that had intermarried with Assyrians). They were denied, so they turned to scare tactice and discouragement. They hired trouble makers. This went on for years.
The Enemy’s Toolkit: Infiltration, Discouragement, Trouble, Frustration, Fatigue, Accusation
The Defense:
Infiltration: Guard, evaluate, and be wary of being involved in any “partnership”. Do not be unequally yoked!
Discouragement: “Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.”
Isaiah 12:2 “… I will trust and not be afraid …”
Do not yield to discouragement. Know what God has called you to do. Focus on TODAY.
Trouble: God is bigger than any troublemaker – any Goliaths. Remember who it is that we serve!
Frustration: Prayer vs. Worry.
Fatigue: Continual physical, emotional, and spiritual refreshment. Do not neglect this! God calls us to His rest – rest on the Sabbath – lack of worry (rooted in believing that God is truly with you). Obey God and pray for His peace continually.
Accusation: This tool actually worked and the construction of the temple stopped. The enemy won this battle. Satan has a whole army to carry out his bidding.
Expect it and evaluate it! Get back up! The same Grace that saved you … the same power that resurrected Jesus … that grace and power will see you through to the end. Get up!
Satan Uses The Same Tools Today
3 Channels to tempt us:
1. Himself
2. The World System
3. Our Flesh
3 tactics to tempt us:
1. Lust of our eyes
2. Lust of our flesh
3. Pride of Life
Defense: Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7)
Ch. 5 God’s Plan Shall Stand
It ends up that they had no right to stop the work in the first place, and with the prophetic message of Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Joshua) began the work again. No sooner had they begun than opposition was raised again … But they gave no heed. Why?
vs.5 “But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them.”
About 15 years lapsed from the end of Ch. 4 to Ch. 5. During that time God prepared two prophets to renew and strengthen the work. He will see His work through to the end.
The official decree from King Cyrus years ago had been to rebuild the house of God (vs. 13). God had clearly set them to do His work.
If God has clearly set us to do His work for Him, let us go through with it in spite of all opposition. God reveals our weakness and His all-sufficiency through trials and storms. We are to be “servants of the God of heaven and earth” (vs. 11).
Ch. 6 God’s Plan Fulfilled
The Decree is found! King Darius (the one who shut them down) issued a decree to search for the command of King Cyrus. They found it in Ecbatana 265 miles from where they were – with natural means alone, this would not have happened, but they found it because “God’s eye was upon them.”
The Enemy’s Attack Becomes Their Benefit
The king that would have hindered the progress is now used to help with great gifts! The decree commanded that all their needs be supplied and expenses met.
vs.9 “And whatever is needed … it is to be given to them daily without fail.”
When we obey God we at once ensure His cooperation for the accomplishment of the task at hand!
Rejoicing: The work began with mixed emotions but it ended with all the people rejoicing (vs. 16).
Psalm 146-148 the Psalms of Haggai and Zechariah
The joy of worshipping and serving God is always accompanied by Satan’s attempts to spoil it … but Satan cannot thwart the plans of God!
Communion: Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread
This is the 1st Passover since King Josiah’s more than 100 years earlier.
vs.20 They Were Clean – purified themselves.
vs.21 Unity – they partook together.
vs.22a Who Partook? Those who had separated themselves from the filth/uncleanness of the nations of the land.
vs.22b Why? In order to seek the Lord God of Israel.
Every work of the Lord draws the attention of the enemy. He may win a few battles but never the War!
Ch. 1 God Uses Whom He Wills To Fulfill His Purpose
In the 1st year of Cyrus King of Persia “in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah” God “stirred up the spirit” of Cyrus to “build Him a house in Jerusalem.”
The people of God had come out of captivity from the Babylonians (vs.5 – survivors). In order to fulfill His purpose God first spoke through Jeremiah and then “stirred up the spirit” of the king to fulfill His Word.
WOW #1: He used Jeremiah to proclaim His purpose
WOW #2: He moved a king to fulfill that proclamation
Ch. 2
The Lord Knows His People Personally
Every “survivor” was numbered and accounted for. God had a plan and purpose for each and every one – He is thorough and specific. Then there was the cleansing and the restoring His treasury. They removed priests unfit for the priesthood and sought first the kingdom of God. Their offerings didn’t compare with those of David’s time but they were acceptable to God. The Lord will ensure the success of our “undertakings entered on according to His will, with an aim to His glory, and dependence on His assistance” (Matthew Henry).
God Uses Common People
“Common people” were important to this rebuilding and are important in ALL His plans (Neh. 7:70-72).
Ch. 3
PRAISE!
God’s people had been chastised and punished for their unfaithfulness. Now they were being restored.
After blowing it so bad, how should we react? Gather, Worship, Celebrate, Work, and Sing!
First and foremost they were UNITED together as one. It could have been enough to be content with their arrival and resettlement … but they didn’t stop there. They immediately went to work on the #1 feature of the temple – the Altar – central to approaching God and seeking His blessing. They WORSHIP 1st.
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Tears & Cheers
Notice how some who were alive when the 1st temple was burned looked back and wept. This temple was plain compared to the other.
We have to be careful not to concentrate on the past lest we rob ourselves of the future.
Ch. 4 The Attack
Q. What’s a good sign you’re doing God’s will?
A. Satan Attacks.
Every work of the Lord draws the attention of the enemy. Vs. 2 – they tried to infiltrate: “Let us build with you …” (These were Jews that had intermarried with Assyrians). They were denied, so they turned to scare tactice and discouragement. They hired trouble makers. This went on for years.
The Enemy’s Toolkit: Infiltration, Discouragement, Trouble, Frustration, Fatigue, Accusation
The Defense:
Infiltration: Guard, evaluate, and be wary of being involved in any “partnership”. Do not be unequally yoked!
Discouragement: “Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.”
Isaiah 12:2 “… I will trust and not be afraid …”
Do not yield to discouragement. Know what God has called you to do. Focus on TODAY.
Trouble: God is bigger than any troublemaker – any Goliaths. Remember who it is that we serve!
Frustration: Prayer vs. Worry.
Fatigue: Continual physical, emotional, and spiritual refreshment. Do not neglect this! God calls us to His rest – rest on the Sabbath – lack of worry (rooted in believing that God is truly with you). Obey God and pray for His peace continually.
Accusation: This tool actually worked and the construction of the temple stopped. The enemy won this battle. Satan has a whole army to carry out his bidding.
Expect it and evaluate it! Get back up! The same Grace that saved you … the same power that resurrected Jesus … that grace and power will see you through to the end. Get up!
Satan Uses The Same Tools Today
3 Channels to tempt us:
1. Himself
2. The World System
3. Our Flesh
3 tactics to tempt us:
1. Lust of our eyes
2. Lust of our flesh
3. Pride of Life
Defense: Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7)
Ch. 5 God’s Plan Shall Stand
It ends up that they had no right to stop the work in the first place, and with the prophetic message of Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Joshua) began the work again. No sooner had they begun than opposition was raised again … But they gave no heed. Why?
vs.5 “But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them.”
About 15 years lapsed from the end of Ch. 4 to Ch. 5. During that time God prepared two prophets to renew and strengthen the work. He will see His work through to the end.
The official decree from King Cyrus years ago had been to rebuild the house of God (vs. 13). God had clearly set them to do His work.
If God has clearly set us to do His work for Him, let us go through with it in spite of all opposition. God reveals our weakness and His all-sufficiency through trials and storms. We are to be “servants of the God of heaven and earth” (vs. 11).
Ch. 6 God’s Plan Fulfilled
The Decree is found! King Darius (the one who shut them down) issued a decree to search for the command of King Cyrus. They found it in Ecbatana 265 miles from where they were – with natural means alone, this would not have happened, but they found it because “God’s eye was upon them.”
The Enemy’s Attack Becomes Their Benefit
The king that would have hindered the progress is now used to help with great gifts! The decree commanded that all their needs be supplied and expenses met.
vs.9 “And whatever is needed … it is to be given to them daily without fail.”
When we obey God we at once ensure His cooperation for the accomplishment of the task at hand!
Rejoicing: The work began with mixed emotions but it ended with all the people rejoicing (vs. 16).
Psalm 146-148 the Psalms of Haggai and Zechariah
The joy of worshipping and serving God is always accompanied by Satan’s attempts to spoil it … but Satan cannot thwart the plans of God!
Communion: Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread
This is the 1st Passover since King Josiah’s more than 100 years earlier.
vs.20 They Were Clean – purified themselves.
vs.21 Unity – they partook together.
vs.22a Who Partook? Those who had separated themselves from the filth/uncleanness of the nations of the land.
vs.22b Why? In order to seek the Lord God of Israel.
Every work of the Lord draws the attention of the enemy. He may win a few battles but never the War!
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