Zech 7 and 8, Ezra 6
"Ask all the people of the land and the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?' "
Zech 7:5-6
In today's reading, God questions His people's motives for following the fasting and feast traditions during exile. He wanted to make it clear to them that it was not just about going through the motions. It was important to know one's heart and motivations. If someone is fasting, but is not concerned with bringing God glory in the process, then there is a problem.
When thinking about feasting and fasting, I immediately thought of our daily readings. It is so easy to forget the real reason why we do this: to draw closer to God and to be changed because of it. How often to we read the passage of the day as if it's something to check off our to-do list? Remember that God wants us to read His word for a reason and our motives for reading are important.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sept 27: Zechariah's visions
The introductory notes to today’s reading mention the theme of assurance behind the visions of Zechariah. We need assurance when we struggle, when we are in pain. When Israel was prosperous they didn’t need assurance, but a warning - God was warning them to be careful not to fall. When they did fall in sin, they needed instruction - God urged them to return to Him, to obey Him and to do good. Now when they are healing their wounds as a nation they need assurance. They need to know if they will ever see good days again. Will they rest and have peace? Will justice be served by God against their enemies? Does God still care for them? God answers them with a ‘Yes’ and with more: with a promise that their sin will be taken away.
If you are in pain or are low in spirit, for whatever circumstances, you too need assurance from God. Today He reminds us that we will rest again, we will have peace. I don’t understand God’s timings for my life, and probably the main point is not to. The point for me right now is that the Bible tells me that if I walk with God, He will bring me to rest and peace. That every situation would be remedied by God and that he will deliver me. Will it be tomorrow or in years to come? I’m not supposed to know how long it will take or how it will happen. I’m simply supposed to be still, trust and obey. Interesting enough, sometimes I find out that resting in the peace and love of God, turns out to be a deliverance in itself from my weariness, regardless the outcome of the circumstance.
Where do we start? Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.“ (Matthew 11:28)
If you are in need of assurance, know that God loves you and looks after you in every situation. If you are with Him, He will give you rest and peace. Once we accept His assurance, we are filled with hope and strength to continue the journey, not by our own power but by His Spirit. Our hearts get uplifted to praise God, be it with a song, or a smile, or a silent prayer.
Here are some verses of assurance from today’s reading:
"Therefore, this is what the LORD says: 'I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt...” (Zech 1:16)
'Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the LORD, 'and I will be its glory within.' (Zech 2:4-5)
Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling." (Zech 2:13)
"See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you." (Zech 3:4)
So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. "What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!' " (Zech 4:6-7)
Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD. t is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.' (Zech 6:12-13)
Sunday, September 26, 2010
September 26: Preaching of Haggai and Zechariah
Today's two prophets speak into the hearts of the Israelite people who have returned to reconstruct the destroyed temple. Their words are eminently practical, both for this moment in history and for us today, regarding priorities and the glory of the coming Messiah.
1. Set your priorities after God's heart. According to Haggai 1:1-13, the people's selfish consideration of their own interests above the Lord's plans for rebuilding the temple drove their own efforts to futility. As the LORD Almighty explains, "You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothers, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Similarly, we often "take matters into our own hands," working diligently as if God were not present in our lives. Or, alternatively, we may establish goals of grandeur and excess for ourselves but never find satisfaction from the fruit of our labor. God created each person in His image and to work and receive satisfaction and find joy in our work. Sin, however, has clouded our satisfaction and joy, and we often reap frustration from our work.
We may create this frustration for ourselves, by focusing on our agenda vs. God's Kingdom agenda. Over the past year or so, I have found it beneficial to study God's Word in the mornings, in order to receive His perspective on the day. In today's passage, God had called the people to rebuild the temple. As Jim Rumsey explained this morning, our mission is to both experience and express God's love. Would you kindly go to God in prayer and ask Him for His perspective on priorities for your life? Following these priorities will lead to great purposeful joy.
Later, in Haggai 2:15-19, we read that God would bless the Israelites' commitment to His agenda. Yet, the focus is on seeking God for Himself, not just for the blessing.
2. The glory of the reconstructed temple will come from God Himself. While only few people remembered the splendor of the now-destroyed temple, the new temple would not compare. As a building, it would be smaller and less ornate. Yet, God declares that "the glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house," owing to the presence of the coming Messiah ("the desired of all nations"). This "servant" will become a great conqueror and subduer of nations (Haggai 2:20-23).
1. Set your priorities after God's heart. According to Haggai 1:1-13, the people's selfish consideration of their own interests above the Lord's plans for rebuilding the temple drove their own efforts to futility. As the LORD Almighty explains, "You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothers, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Similarly, we often "take matters into our own hands," working diligently as if God were not present in our lives. Or, alternatively, we may establish goals of grandeur and excess for ourselves but never find satisfaction from the fruit of our labor. God created each person in His image and to work and receive satisfaction and find joy in our work. Sin, however, has clouded our satisfaction and joy, and we often reap frustration from our work.
We may create this frustration for ourselves, by focusing on our agenda vs. God's Kingdom agenda. Over the past year or so, I have found it beneficial to study God's Word in the mornings, in order to receive His perspective on the day. In today's passage, God had called the people to rebuild the temple. As Jim Rumsey explained this morning, our mission is to both experience and express God's love. Would you kindly go to God in prayer and ask Him for His perspective on priorities for your life? Following these priorities will lead to great purposeful joy.
Later, in Haggai 2:15-19, we read that God would bless the Israelites' commitment to His agenda. Yet, the focus is on seeking God for Himself, not just for the blessing.
2. The glory of the reconstructed temple will come from God Himself. While only few people remembered the splendor of the now-destroyed temple, the new temple would not compare. As a building, it would be smaller and less ornate. Yet, God declares that "the glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house," owing to the presence of the coming Messiah ("the desired of all nations"). This "servant" will become a great conqueror and subduer of nations (Haggai 2:20-23).
Sunday, September 19, 2010
September 19: Daniel's Apocalyptic Visions
The prophetic visions given to Daniel point out God's sovereignty over human history and the preeminence of Jesus, the One Who would receive authority over heaven and earth. He alone would be worthy!
"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." (Daniel 7:13,14)
While many people have spent significant time trying to unravel the intricacies of the end times, the most important truths of the Bible's teaching are quite clear: God the Father has given power and authority to Jesus, Whose Kingdom will overtake the earth. The saints will somehow participate in the governance of this Kingdom:
"'But the court will sit, and his [the king who will oppress the Most High] power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'" (Daniel 7:26,27)
Jesus Christ alone fulfills this prophecy and the myriad of other prophecies throughout the Old Testament. Born of a virgin, sent to Egypt due to Herodian persecution, and broken and pierced for our transgressions, Jesus is indeed the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). He came to become the One from David's line Who would sit on the throne forever (2 Samuel 7:13,16) His very mission would speak of the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy (Luke 4:18-21; cf. Isaiah 61:1,2).
In short, while the world struggles to read tea leaves for the next week or month or year, God has given us a clear picture of the fulfillment of history, and it centers around an ongoing spiritual battle between the forces of good and evil. We may have full confidence in the Person and completed ministry of Jesus. His Kingdom will last forever and will bear no marks of man's deficiencies and shortcomings, unlike this fragile world's brokenness. We may rejoice in the holiness and complete adequacy of our Lord and Savior. (Colossians 1:15-20; 2:8)
QUESTIONS
1. Do you tend to focus on the "big picture" or "small details" when considering prophecy?
2. How does the reality of God's sovereignty and the eternal nature of Christ's Kingdom affect your day today? If you trusted wholly in these truths, how would impact your attitudes and actions related to money? Other people? The usage of your time?
"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." (Daniel 7:13,14)
While many people have spent significant time trying to unravel the intricacies of the end times, the most important truths of the Bible's teaching are quite clear: God the Father has given power and authority to Jesus, Whose Kingdom will overtake the earth. The saints will somehow participate in the governance of this Kingdom:
"'But the court will sit, and his [the king who will oppress the Most High] power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'" (Daniel 7:26,27)
Jesus Christ alone fulfills this prophecy and the myriad of other prophecies throughout the Old Testament. Born of a virgin, sent to Egypt due to Herodian persecution, and broken and pierced for our transgressions, Jesus is indeed the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). He came to become the One from David's line Who would sit on the throne forever (2 Samuel 7:13,16) His very mission would speak of the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy (Luke 4:18-21; cf. Isaiah 61:1,2).
In short, while the world struggles to read tea leaves for the next week or month or year, God has given us a clear picture of the fulfillment of history, and it centers around an ongoing spiritual battle between the forces of good and evil. We may have full confidence in the Person and completed ministry of Jesus. His Kingdom will last forever and will bear no marks of man's deficiencies and shortcomings, unlike this fragile world's brokenness. We may rejoice in the holiness and complete adequacy of our Lord and Savior. (Colossians 1:15-20; 2:8)
QUESTIONS
1. Do you tend to focus on the "big picture" or "small details" when considering prophecy?
2. How does the reality of God's sovereignty and the eternal nature of Christ's Kingdom affect your day today? If you trusted wholly in these truths, how would impact your attitudes and actions related to money? Other people? The usage of your time?
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
September 14
Job 22-24
I want to be real for a minute:
I had an awful day. The past couple weeks I've felt extremely overwhelmed (someone who is usually there to help me has not been around) and today I felt like I couldn't take it anymore. I started to feel sorry for myself and started to think that things were not ever going to get better. When I got into my car to go home, the song "Salvation is Here" by Hillsong United came on. I've heard this song many times and it's moved me many times. But today I felt the voice of God telling me that it's going to be alright.
"God above the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears
I don't care what the world throws at me now
It's gonna be alright...
'Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here"
We've been reading about Job. Job suffered greatly, more than any of us will ever experience or could ever understand. He didn't know why he was suffering, and I wonder if he felt like there would be no end to it in his life time. My recent trials are nothing compared to what Job went through. But one thing is similar for everyone, not matter what trials or suffering you experience: God will never let you go and it's gonna be alright. God never let go of Job and He will never let go of you or me.
I want to be real for a minute:
I had an awful day. The past couple weeks I've felt extremely overwhelmed (someone who is usually there to help me has not been around) and today I felt like I couldn't take it anymore. I started to feel sorry for myself and started to think that things were not ever going to get better. When I got into my car to go home, the song "Salvation is Here" by Hillsong United came on. I've heard this song many times and it's moved me many times. But today I felt the voice of God telling me that it's going to be alright.
"God above the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears
I don't care what the world throws at me now
It's gonna be alright...
'Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here"
We've been reading about Job. Job suffered greatly, more than any of us will ever experience or could ever understand. He didn't know why he was suffering, and I wonder if he felt like there would be no end to it in his life time. My recent trials are nothing compared to what Job went through. But one thing is similar for everyone, not matter what trials or suffering you experience: God will never let you go and it's gonna be alright. God never let go of Job and He will never let go of you or me.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
September 12: Job
Job's testing points out the value of our individual faith and its statement to a watching world. Satan received his best opportunities to knock the faith out of a righteous man, Job, but he would not curse God. While his friends circle him with seemingly airtight logic, Job comes to trust their wisdom less and to seek more of God. He does not hesitate to question God and assigns his trials to God's punishment or disciplining of him, but Job does not abandon his trust in God. Because we have received insight into Job's situation from Chapters No. 1 and 2, we have context for understanding Job's suffering: God had allowed the evil to occur in order to reveal Job's faith and ultimately point to God's own worthiness.
Job's three friends offer little comfort or encouragement but seek to discover the root cause of this apparently deserved judgment. Job understandably complains:
""I have heard many things like these;
miserable comforters are you all!
Will your long-winded speeches never end?
What ails you that you keep on arguing?
"I also could speak like you,
if you were in my place;
I could make fine speeches against you
and shake my head at you.
"But my mouth would encourage you;
comfort from my lips would bring you relief." (16:2-5)
Job's frustration calls to mind our own attitudes in light of others' suffering. We quickly look for "solutions" or causes before hearing the person and giving them the ministry of listening. As writer Paul David Tripp explains, we turn "moments of ministry" into "moments of ______." Job's friends chose "moments of self-righteousness" over "moments of ministry" and love.
In the midst of his friends' unhelpful speeches, Job offers some great testimonies about the character and faithfulness of the Almighty:
"'O earth, do not cover my blood;
may my cry never be laid to rest!
Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
My intercessor is my friend [a]
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as a man pleads for his friend.'" (14:14-17)
"'O earth, do not cover my blood;
may my cry never be laid to rest!
Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
My intercessor is my friend [a]
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as a man pleads for his friend.'" (16:18-21)
In our own struggles, we may find ourselves doubting God's goodness or concern. We often conflate the well-deserved consequences of our sinful nature -- separation in relationships or brokenness, for example -- and the discipline and testing that God has designed for our growth. Often, outward circumstances drive home key inward lessons and bring us to a greater appreciation of God's grace and majesty. As we approach these challenges, we may take on an attitude of joy, reflecting our confidence in God's plan: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4) Furthermore, God's discipline or testing of our hearts helps us to grow as His children:
"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
QUESTIONS
1. As your friends run into difficulties, how can you better support them? Is your natural tendency to become an "answer" man or woman?
2. How might God view a recent setback or difficult set of circumstances? Perhaps you could ask Him for His insight.
Job's three friends offer little comfort or encouragement but seek to discover the root cause of this apparently deserved judgment. Job understandably complains:
""I have heard many things like these;
miserable comforters are you all!
Will your long-winded speeches never end?
What ails you that you keep on arguing?
"I also could speak like you,
if you were in my place;
I could make fine speeches against you
and shake my head at you.
"But my mouth would encourage you;
comfort from my lips would bring you relief." (16:2-5)
Job's frustration calls to mind our own attitudes in light of others' suffering. We quickly look for "solutions" or causes before hearing the person and giving them the ministry of listening. As writer Paul David Tripp explains, we turn "moments of ministry" into "moments of ______." Job's friends chose "moments of self-righteousness" over "moments of ministry" and love.
In the midst of his friends' unhelpful speeches, Job offers some great testimonies about the character and faithfulness of the Almighty:
"'O earth, do not cover my blood;
may my cry never be laid to rest!
Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
My intercessor is my friend [a]
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as a man pleads for his friend.'" (14:14-17)
"'O earth, do not cover my blood;
may my cry never be laid to rest!
Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
My intercessor is my friend [a]
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as a man pleads for his friend.'" (16:18-21)
In our own struggles, we may find ourselves doubting God's goodness or concern. We often conflate the well-deserved consequences of our sinful nature -- separation in relationships or brokenness, for example -- and the discipline and testing that God has designed for our growth. Often, outward circumstances drive home key inward lessons and bring us to a greater appreciation of God's grace and majesty. As we approach these challenges, we may take on an attitude of joy, reflecting our confidence in God's plan: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4) Furthermore, God's discipline or testing of our hearts helps us to grow as His children:
"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
QUESTIONS
1. As your friends run into difficulties, how can you better support them? Is your natural tendency to become an "answer" man or woman?
2. How might God view a recent setback or difficult set of circumstances? Perhaps you could ask Him for His insight.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
September 7
Ezekiel 29, Daniel 4, Jeremiah 52
In today's reading, Nebuchadnezzar receives a message from God through a dream. He did not understand the dream and it frightened him. Can you imagine the ruler of one of the most powerful nations in the world, with unimaginable power and wealth at his disposal, being scared by a dream, as if he were a small child? Certainly this king was mighty, but an even mightier God was trying to get his attention.
In the dream there was a great tree that reached up to the heavens. Its leaves and fruit were abundant. Many animals found shelter on the ground below and in its branches. Then a voice said to cut the tree down, trim its branches and scatter its fruit. But the stump will be left untouched.
Only Daniel knew what the dream meant. He warned Nebuchadnezzar that if he continued sinning, he would suffer the same fate as the tree. He would be driven away from his people and forced to live like an animal until he acknowledge God as sovereign over all. Daniel showed genuine concern for the king. It greived him to tell Nebuchadnezzar of his fate and he urged him to take the dream seriously.
Unfortunately, Nebuchadnezzar is a typical thick-headed stubborn human being (much like all of us today can be!). Despite Daniel's pleading, he continued his life as if the dream never occured. God gave him a whole year to repent of his sin before rendering him insane. After a time, Nebuchadnezzar had no choice but to acknowledge God as the one true God, worthy of praise and glory and honor. Then God restored his sanity. (In the dream the stump of the tree was left, signifying that the tree would one day be restored).
This story is certainly good news for us. It means that God will go to any lengths to get us to return to Him. He knows exactly what it will take in order to humble us. He does not give up on us easily. Also, it means that there is no way that we can go beyond the grace of God. Nebuchadnezzar was a sinful, prideful, and violent person. Yet, God's grace was more than enough to melt his heart of stone.
In today's reading, Nebuchadnezzar receives a message from God through a dream. He did not understand the dream and it frightened him. Can you imagine the ruler of one of the most powerful nations in the world, with unimaginable power and wealth at his disposal, being scared by a dream, as if he were a small child? Certainly this king was mighty, but an even mightier God was trying to get his attention.
In the dream there was a great tree that reached up to the heavens. Its leaves and fruit were abundant. Many animals found shelter on the ground below and in its branches. Then a voice said to cut the tree down, trim its branches and scatter its fruit. But the stump will be left untouched.
Only Daniel knew what the dream meant. He warned Nebuchadnezzar that if he continued sinning, he would suffer the same fate as the tree. He would be driven away from his people and forced to live like an animal until he acknowledge God as sovereign over all. Daniel showed genuine concern for the king. It greived him to tell Nebuchadnezzar of his fate and he urged him to take the dream seriously.
Unfortunately, Nebuchadnezzar is a typical thick-headed stubborn human being (much like all of us today can be!). Despite Daniel's pleading, he continued his life as if the dream never occured. God gave him a whole year to repent of his sin before rendering him insane. After a time, Nebuchadnezzar had no choice but to acknowledge God as the one true God, worthy of praise and glory and honor. Then God restored his sanity. (In the dream the stump of the tree was left, signifying that the tree would one day be restored).
This story is certainly good news for us. It means that God will go to any lengths to get us to return to Him. He knows exactly what it will take in order to humble us. He does not give up on us easily. Also, it means that there is no way that we can go beyond the grace of God. Nebuchadnezzar was a sinful, prideful, and violent person. Yet, God's grace was more than enough to melt his heart of stone.
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