The Observable Nature of the Grace of God
The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad. (Acts 11:21-23)
Fundamentally, the work of God's grace takes place within human hearts. "It is good that the heart be established by grace" (Hebrews 13:9). Yet, whenever grace is at work in lives, visible indicators inevitably appear: "When he came and had seen the grace of God." This statement raises for our consideration the observable nature of the grace of God.
After Stephen was stoned by the religious leaders, an expansive persecution arose. God used this widespread difficulty to extend the proclamation of the gospel.. "Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only" (Acts 11:19). Others began to reach out to those whose background was Grecian. "But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:20). God used them to touch many lives. "The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord." Word of this spiritual harvest soon reached Jerusalem. "Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch." So, Barnabas traveled to Antioch, where the first great Gentile church was being birthed. When he arrived, the invisible was being made visible: "When he came and had seen the grace of God." It was obvious to Barnabas that God had been working by His grace. Souls were being saved. The saved were growing in godliness.
What Barnabas saw was undoubtedly similar to the spiritual phenomenon that had occurred in the church at Colosse. When the gospel was embraced there, it clearly impacted lives: "the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth" (Colossians 1:5-6). In Colosse, the outward effects of the inward work of the grace of God was spiritual fruit. When Barnabas saw this same process unfolding in Antioch, "he was glad."
Dear Lord, I praise You that Your grace has given me a new spiritual heart. Now I ask You to impact my heart deeply by Your grace. I pray that the visible evidences of grace will be seen by all who observe my life. May it bring gladness to them and honor to You, Amen.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
For the Lord will not cast
For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. (Lamentations 3:31-33)
Great is the faithfulness of the Lord. Sometimes it seems that He is at such a great distance, yet still He is near. And though it may seem that we are alone in our trials, yet still He is near. His kingdom is come—enter it by faith! Know that you are at His right hand, O believer, and know that He loves you!
Great is the faithfulness of the Lord. Sometimes it seems that He is at such a great distance, yet still He is near. And though it may seem that we are alone in our trials, yet still He is near. His kingdom is come—enter it by faith! Know that you are at His right hand, O believer, and know that He loves you!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Jesus' Example of Grace for Our Speech
Jesus' Example of Grace for Our Speech
You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon Your lips…Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Psalm 45:2 and Colossians 4:6)
In our two previous meditations, we saw Jesus as our two-fold example of suffering and grace. First, He exemplified the suffering that prepares us for God's grace to work in our lives. Second, He exemplified how God's grace is to develop our lives comprehensively. Now, we consider Jesus' example of grace for our speech.
Centuries before the Messiah (Jesus) came into this world, the Psalmist prophesied of the words of grace that would flow from His mouth. "You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon Your lips." God's grace guided and poured forth through the words of Jesus and set His speech above that of every other person. Those who listened to Him during His earthly pilgrimage testified of this fact. "All bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth" (Luke 4:22). One of the distinctive aspects of Jesus' words was the unique authority this grace imparted. "Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority" (Luke 4:31-32). At one point in Jesus' ministry, the Jewish leaders wanted the temple officers to take Jesus into custody, but they returned empty-handed. "Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, 'Why have you not brought Him?' The officers answered, 'No man ever spoke like this Man!'" (John 7:45-46).
The Lord intends for this same grace to pour forth when we speak. "Let your speech always be with grace." When we humbly allow the Lord to flood our speech with His grace, our words have a heavenly flavor to them: "seasoned with salt." His grace will also add heavenly wisdom to our words: "that you may know how you ought to answer each one." This causes our speech to be edifying to others, because our words are ministering God's grace into their lives. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29).
Lord Jesus, Your words are the kind of words I want to speak—words permeated with the grace of God. Please forgive me for the many words I have expressed that were corrupted by my own fleshly wisdom or selfish interests. I humbly ask You to season my speech with heavenly righteousness and godly insight. I long to impart edifying grace to all who hear me speak. In Your holy name, I pray, Amen.
You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon Your lips…Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Psalm 45:2 and Colossians 4:6)
In our two previous meditations, we saw Jesus as our two-fold example of suffering and grace. First, He exemplified the suffering that prepares us for God's grace to work in our lives. Second, He exemplified how God's grace is to develop our lives comprehensively. Now, we consider Jesus' example of grace for our speech.
Centuries before the Messiah (Jesus) came into this world, the Psalmist prophesied of the words of grace that would flow from His mouth. "You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon Your lips." God's grace guided and poured forth through the words of Jesus and set His speech above that of every other person. Those who listened to Him during His earthly pilgrimage testified of this fact. "All bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth" (Luke 4:22). One of the distinctive aspects of Jesus' words was the unique authority this grace imparted. "Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority" (Luke 4:31-32). At one point in Jesus' ministry, the Jewish leaders wanted the temple officers to take Jesus into custody, but they returned empty-handed. "Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, 'Why have you not brought Him?' The officers answered, 'No man ever spoke like this Man!'" (John 7:45-46).
The Lord intends for this same grace to pour forth when we speak. "Let your speech always be with grace." When we humbly allow the Lord to flood our speech with His grace, our words have a heavenly flavor to them: "seasoned with salt." His grace will also add heavenly wisdom to our words: "that you may know how you ought to answer each one." This causes our speech to be edifying to others, because our words are ministering God's grace into their lives. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29).
Lord Jesus, Your words are the kind of words I want to speak—words permeated with the grace of God. Please forgive me for the many words I have expressed that were corrupted by my own fleshly wisdom or selfish interests. I humbly ask You to season my speech with heavenly righteousness and godly insight. I long to impart edifying grace to all who hear me speak. In Your holy name, I pray, Amen.
I am the living bread
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:51)
Jesus speaks of Himself as the Living Bread of life. For those of us who are in Christ, we shall never again experience the spiritual hunger that existed before our conversion. Jesus Christ, the Living Manna, provides all that we need to live day by day with God.
Jesus speaks of Himself as the Living Bread of life. For those of us who are in Christ, we shall never again experience the spiritual hunger that existed before our conversion. Jesus Christ, the Living Manna, provides all that we need to live day by day with God.
Friday, November 26, 2010
The God of All Grace Developing Our Lives
The God of All Grace Developing Our Lives
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus…perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)
We have been considering God's grace as "much more" (Romans 5:17, 20), as "exceeding" (2 Corinthians 9:14), and as "exceedingly abundant" (1 Timothy 1:14). These terms lead into our present meditation, which looks at "the God of all grace." The true and living God has all kinds and all measures of grace, and He wants to impart that grace to develop our lives.
One purpose of God's grace is to allow us to dwell forever in His glorious abode: "who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus." This is ours through the atoning death of Jesus Christ, our mediator. "He is the Mediator of the new covenant [of grace], by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant [of law], that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:15). Meanwhile, until He returns for us, He wants to develop us spiritually ("perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you").
Part of His plan is to perfect our lives. "May the God of all grace …perfect…you." This speaks of God completing what is missing and equipping us for service. "Now may the God of peace…make you complete in every good work to do His will…And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry" (Hebrews 13:20-21 and Ephesians 4:12). Part of His plan is to establish our lives. "May the God of all grace… establish…you." This has to do with the Lord stabilizing our Christian walk, keeping us steadfastly moving in His direction for our lives. This word was used to describe Jesus' unswerving commitment toward the cross, resurrection, and ascension that awaited Him in Jerusalem. "Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51). Part of His plan is to strengthen our lives. "May the God of all grace… strengthen…you.." Our calling to serve God requires strength that we do not have in and of ourselves. The Lord wants to teach us to draw upon His mighty power: "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:16). Part of His plan is to settle our lives. "May the God of all grace… settle…you." This involves being increasingly grounded in God's ways: "that you, being rooted and grounded in love" (Ephesians 3:17).
Dear God of all grace, I am eager to be with You in glory above. Meanwhile, I humbly beseech You to develop my life spiritually. Please complete what is missing, stabilize my walk, empower me within, and ground me in Your love—all by Your grace, Amen.
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus…perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)
We have been considering God's grace as "much more" (Romans 5:17, 20), as "exceeding" (2 Corinthians 9:14), and as "exceedingly abundant" (1 Timothy 1:14). These terms lead into our present meditation, which looks at "the God of all grace." The true and living God has all kinds and all measures of grace, and He wants to impart that grace to develop our lives.
One purpose of God's grace is to allow us to dwell forever in His glorious abode: "who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus." This is ours through the atoning death of Jesus Christ, our mediator. "He is the Mediator of the new covenant [of grace], by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant [of law], that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:15). Meanwhile, until He returns for us, He wants to develop us spiritually ("perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you").
Part of His plan is to perfect our lives. "May the God of all grace …perfect…you." This speaks of God completing what is missing and equipping us for service. "Now may the God of peace…make you complete in every good work to do His will…And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry" (Hebrews 13:20-21 and Ephesians 4:12). Part of His plan is to establish our lives. "May the God of all grace… establish…you." This has to do with the Lord stabilizing our Christian walk, keeping us steadfastly moving in His direction for our lives. This word was used to describe Jesus' unswerving commitment toward the cross, resurrection, and ascension that awaited Him in Jerusalem. "Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51). Part of His plan is to strengthen our lives. "May the God of all grace… strengthen…you.." Our calling to serve God requires strength that we do not have in and of ourselves. The Lord wants to teach us to draw upon His mighty power: "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:16). Part of His plan is to settle our lives. "May the God of all grace… settle…you." This involves being increasingly grounded in God's ways: "that you, being rooted and grounded in love" (Ephesians 3:17).
Dear God of all grace, I am eager to be with You in glory above. Meanwhile, I humbly beseech You to develop my life spiritually. Please complete what is missing, stabilize my walk, empower me within, and ground me in Your love—all by Your grace, Amen.
I, [even] I, [am]
I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no saviour. (Isaiah 43:11)
The Almighty God alone is our salvation and deliverer from all things! The earth trembles at His presence and the mountains smoke at His touch. He is slow to anger and great in power; for death has been destroyed for eternity! None can compare—and He alone is my Saviour!
The Almighty God alone is our salvation and deliverer from all things! The earth trembles at His presence and the mountains smoke at His touch. He is slow to anger and great in power; for death has been destroyed for eternity! None can compare—and He alone is my Saviour!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
I can do all things
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)
When Paul wrote that he could do all things through Christ, we have to understand it in light of his circumstances. Paul declares that he could find contentment (and even joy) in every situation. Though we may not be in the most desirable place, we should find contentment and joy, knowing that Christ will give us the strength to get through anything.
When Paul wrote that he could do all things through Christ, we have to understand it in light of his circumstances. Paul declares that he could find contentment (and even joy) in every situation. Though we may not be in the most desirable place, we should find contentment and joy, knowing that Christ will give us the strength to get through anything.
Monday, November 22, 2010
And they that know
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. (Psalms 9:10)
Because of His amazing faithfulness to His children, we continue to trust in Him. As we place our faith in Christ, we come to know of His abounding goodness and mercy. Truly, His lovingkindness is visable in the life of the believer. For we serve such a wonderful and faithful God!
Because of His amazing faithfulness to His children, we continue to trust in Him. As we place our faith in Christ, we come to know of His abounding goodness and mercy. Truly, His lovingkindness is visable in the life of the believer. For we serve such a wonderful and faithful God!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
The LORD will perfect
The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. (Psalms 138:8)
Absolutely everything that concerns His children is under His control! What an amazing comfort! For He is faithful to accomplish every good work within His people. He will never forsake us, but He will hold us in His right hand forever!
Absolutely everything that concerns His children is under His control! What an amazing comfort! For He is faithful to accomplish every good work within His people. He will never forsake us, but He will hold us in His right hand forever!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
SETBACKS INTO STEPPING STONES
SETBACKS INTO STEPPING STONES
Philippians 1:12-20
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Philippians+1:12-20
Dear Father,
Take the setbacks of our lives and use them to further the
proclamation of your Good News about Jesus to the world.
Let such things become a source of encouragement to our brethren
when they see the valor of those who bear up under adversity. May
every hardship spur your people on to boldly speak your word
without fear!
Even when your word is proclaimed for the wrong reason, we
rejoice, for your word of salvation is nevertheless proclaimed.
Father, we rejoice in the way you comfort and remain faithful to
us.
We are thankful that the prayers of our fellow believers rise
night and day for us and for the good of your kingdom.
In the name of King Jesus I ask. Amen.
Philippians 1:12-20
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Philippians+1:12-20
Dear Father,
Take the setbacks of our lives and use them to further the
proclamation of your Good News about Jesus to the world.
Let such things become a source of encouragement to our brethren
when they see the valor of those who bear up under adversity. May
every hardship spur your people on to boldly speak your word
without fear!
Even when your word is proclaimed for the wrong reason, we
rejoice, for your word of salvation is nevertheless proclaimed.
Father, we rejoice in the way you comfort and remain faithful to
us.
We are thankful that the prayers of our fellow believers rise
night and day for us and for the good of your kingdom.
In the name of King Jesus I ask. Amen.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Why art thou cast down,
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God. (Psalms 42:11)
My Prayer: Gracious Father, thank You for being my ever-present help in my time of need. You lift my countenance and fill my heart with everlasting delight and tranquility. Your greatness is unsearchable! Your love so unfathomable! May Your Name be lifted on high and praised forevermore!
My Prayer: Gracious Father, thank You for being my ever-present help in my time of need. You lift my countenance and fill my heart with everlasting delight and tranquility. Your greatness is unsearchable! Your love so unfathomable! May Your Name be lifted on high and praised forevermore!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
David and Samuel—by Faith
David and Samuel—by Faith
Time would fail me to tell…also of David and Samuel. (Hebrews 11:32b)
Our divinely inspired author sensed that time was running out to elaborate upon the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah. He also recorded that time was not sufficient to include specific testimony about the faith of David and Samuel. This is surprising, since they would be viewed by many as likely candidates for extensive consideration.
David was such a notable man of faith. He faced the giant Goliath by faith. "Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts'" (1 Samuel 17:45). When Saul wanted to destroy him, David entrusted the King into the hands of the Lord. "Let the LORD judge between you and me, and let the LORD avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you" (1 Samuel 24:12). He confidently confessed the Lord as his strength, his joy, and his comprehensive salvation. "The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation" (Psalm 118:14). He also turned to the Lord at the lowest spiritual point in his life (after he sinned tragically in adultery and murder). In humble dependence he cried, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin" (Psalm 51:1-2).
Samuel was another notable man of faith. He began to trust in the Lord as a young boy. "Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel answered, 'Speak, for Your servant hears'" (1 Samuel 3:10). Then, he grew spiritually and faithfully served the Lord throughout the nation of Israel. "So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the LORD" (1 Samuel 3:19-20). Also, he courageously rebuked King Saul for not fully carrying out God's instructions to destroy the Amalekites. "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king" (1 Samuel 15:23).
David and Samuel were outstanding servants of the Lord. However, the noteworthy distinctive in their lives was the same spiritual distinctive that caused some men of lesser renown to be listed here as well…faith. "For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah" (Hebrews 11:32a).
Lord God of the "likely servant," in many ways, I can identify with Barak and Jephthah more readily than with David and Samuel. Yet, I am encouraged to see that what pleases You in any person is always the same—faith. Teach me to trust You, Lord.
Time would fail me to tell…also of David and Samuel. (Hebrews 11:32b)
Our divinely inspired author sensed that time was running out to elaborate upon the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah. He also recorded that time was not sufficient to include specific testimony about the faith of David and Samuel. This is surprising, since they would be viewed by many as likely candidates for extensive consideration.
David was such a notable man of faith. He faced the giant Goliath by faith. "Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts'" (1 Samuel 17:45). When Saul wanted to destroy him, David entrusted the King into the hands of the Lord. "Let the LORD judge between you and me, and let the LORD avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you" (1 Samuel 24:12). He confidently confessed the Lord as his strength, his joy, and his comprehensive salvation. "The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation" (Psalm 118:14). He also turned to the Lord at the lowest spiritual point in his life (after he sinned tragically in adultery and murder). In humble dependence he cried, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin" (Psalm 51:1-2).
Samuel was another notable man of faith. He began to trust in the Lord as a young boy. "Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel answered, 'Speak, for Your servant hears'" (1 Samuel 3:10). Then, he grew spiritually and faithfully served the Lord throughout the nation of Israel. "So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the LORD" (1 Samuel 3:19-20). Also, he courageously rebuked King Saul for not fully carrying out God's instructions to destroy the Amalekites. "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king" (1 Samuel 15:23).
David and Samuel were outstanding servants of the Lord. However, the noteworthy distinctive in their lives was the same spiritual distinctive that caused some men of lesser renown to be listed here as well…faith. "For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah" (Hebrews 11:32a).
Lord God of the "likely servant," in many ways, I can identify with Barak and Jephthah more readily than with David and Samuel. Yet, I am encouraged to see that what pleases You in any person is always the same—faith. Teach me to trust You, Lord.
That the blessing of Abraham
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Reflection
Through the cross of Christ and our vicarious life in Him, we who believe are become the children of Abraham. And so, we are made heirs in Him through His righteousness. All His promises are become ours and we are become a great people, a great kingdom, and inheritors of the great heavenly land. More so, we are granted the Spirit of faith! So go forth, you Christians, proclaiming the mercies of the Lord thereby increasing the very kingdom of God!
Reflection
Through the cross of Christ and our vicarious life in Him, we who believe are become the children of Abraham. And so, we are made heirs in Him through His righteousness. All His promises are become ours and we are become a great people, a great kingdom, and inheritors of the great heavenly land. More so, we are granted the Spirit of faith! So go forth, you Christians, proclaiming the mercies of the Lord thereby increasing the very kingdom of God!
Monday, November 8, 2010
My flesh and my heart faileth:
My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (Psalms 73:26)
Despite the constant weakness born about in our human frailty, the Lord is the strength of they who call Him Father. Though men are doomed to fail when pressing forth in their own strength, God is always faithful to present His children with the vigor needed to reign as princes in the heavenly kingdom. Trust upon Him! Look to His power! Seek His kingdom before your own! Glory in His promise to love and protect you as His bride!
Despite the constant weakness born about in our human frailty, the Lord is the strength of they who call Him Father. Though men are doomed to fail when pressing forth in their own strength, God is always faithful to present His children with the vigor needed to reign as princes in the heavenly kingdom. Trust upon Him! Look to His power! Seek His kingdom before your own! Glory in His promise to love and protect you as His bride!
SUBMISSION
SUBMISSION
Ephesians 5:21-6:9
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+5:21-6:9
Dear Father,
Help all of us who reverence Christ to be submissive to each
other, even as he submitted himself to the people about him so that
he could be their servant-king.
Help wives and husbands submit to each other. Help wives to be
respectful. Help husbands to be loving and considerate.
Help parents and children submit to each other. Help children to
obey their parents. Help parents to act in the best interest of
their children, not provoking them.
Help employers and employees submit to each other. Help employees
render the work for which they are paid. Help employers to be fair,
to show kindness.
Help all your people everywhere to live even as Jesus did.
In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Ephesians 5:21-6:9
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+5:21-6:9
Dear Father,
Help all of us who reverence Christ to be submissive to each
other, even as he submitted himself to the people about him so that
he could be their servant-king.
Help wives and husbands submit to each other. Help wives to be
respectful. Help husbands to be loving and considerate.
Help parents and children submit to each other. Help children to
obey their parents. Help parents to act in the best interest of
their children, not provoking them.
Help employers and employees submit to each other. Help employees
render the work for which they are paid. Help employers to be fair,
to show kindness.
Help all your people everywhere to live even as Jesus did.
In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will giv
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it]. (Revelation 2:17)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your mind, and your soul! (Deu 6:5) For He is ever the rewarder of those who seek Him! (Hebrews 11:6) Believe upon His name and taste the true manna from heaven, the true bread of life, the very Son of God! Ever will He sustain you and ever will your life be caught up with His, from life to death to glory everlasting. Praise His name and rejoice in the bounty of His hand!
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your mind, and your soul! (Deu 6:5) For He is ever the rewarder of those who seek Him! (Hebrews 11:6) Believe upon His name and taste the true manna from heaven, the true bread of life, the very Son of God! Ever will He sustain you and ever will your life be caught up with His, from life to death to glory everlasting. Praise His name and rejoice in the bounty of His hand!
STANDING IN THE LIGHT
STANDING IN THE LIGHT
Ephesians 5:7
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+5:7
Dear Father,
Keep me from being silent when your cause is threatened by evil
people, even though I and my family and the people I care about may
perish.
May I stand with courage, for you are able to raise deliverance
from another quarter. And if I perish, I perish. May I not take
part in any way in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead
expose them.
In the name of Jesus, the holy Light of mankind. Amen.
Ephesians 5:7
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+5:7
Dear Father,
Keep me from being silent when your cause is threatened by evil
people, even though I and my family and the people I care about may
perish.
May I stand with courage, for you are able to raise deliverance
from another quarter. And if I perish, I perish. May I not take
part in any way in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead
expose them.
In the name of Jesus, the holy Light of mankind. Amen.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Moses Esteeming Christ's Riches above Egypt's, by Faith
Moses Esteeming Christ's Riches above Egypt's, by Faith
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. (Hebrews 11:24-26)
By faith, Moses renounced his place of privilege in Pharaoh's family, choosing to identify himself with God's people. He knew that loss and suffering awaited him. Yet, he was strengthened by faith to make this life-shaping decision by esteeming Christ's riches above Egypt's.
When Moses identified with the Israelites, he was joining himself to the people of the Messiah, the Anointed One (the Christ). From the earliest days, the people of God had been promised an Anointed Deliverer. "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He [the Savior] shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel… I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you [by the coming of Messiah] all the families of the earth shall be blessed…The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [the Prince of Peace] comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people" (Genesis 3:15; 12:3; and 49:10).
Yet, this heaven-sent King (Jesus), as well as His people, would encounter reproach. "He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him…Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 53:3 and 60:14). In spite of such reproach, Moses joined himself to the Messiah and His people. Moses understood that he was more blessed to stand with a divine, though despised, Messiah than to have all the material treasures of Egypt: "esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt." He made this wise evaluation by considering the eternal consequences: "for he looked to the reward." He anticipated eternal realities that subsequent men of God would powerfully proclaim. "God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…Whereas you have been forsaken and hated…I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations" (Psalm 73:26 and Isaiah 60:15).
Dear Jesus, the Christ, my Messiah, I want to stand with You and Your people, even if it means sharing in Your reproach. I know that You will strengthen me now and be my portion forever. By Your eternal excellencies make me a joy to others now, as I await with eager anticipation Your everlasting kingdom, Amen.
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. (Hebrews 11:24-26)
By faith, Moses renounced his place of privilege in Pharaoh's family, choosing to identify himself with God's people. He knew that loss and suffering awaited him. Yet, he was strengthened by faith to make this life-shaping decision by esteeming Christ's riches above Egypt's.
When Moses identified with the Israelites, he was joining himself to the people of the Messiah, the Anointed One (the Christ). From the earliest days, the people of God had been promised an Anointed Deliverer. "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He [the Savior] shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel… I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you [by the coming of Messiah] all the families of the earth shall be blessed…The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [the Prince of Peace] comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people" (Genesis 3:15; 12:3; and 49:10).
Yet, this heaven-sent King (Jesus), as well as His people, would encounter reproach. "He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him…Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 53:3 and 60:14). In spite of such reproach, Moses joined himself to the Messiah and His people. Moses understood that he was more blessed to stand with a divine, though despised, Messiah than to have all the material treasures of Egypt: "esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt." He made this wise evaluation by considering the eternal consequences: "for he looked to the reward." He anticipated eternal realities that subsequent men of God would powerfully proclaim. "God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…Whereas you have been forsaken and hated…I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations" (Psalm 73:26 and Isaiah 60:15).
Dear Jesus, the Christ, my Messiah, I want to stand with You and Your people, even if it means sharing in Your reproach. I know that You will strengthen me now and be my portion forever. By Your eternal excellencies make me a joy to others now, as I await with eager anticipation Your everlasting kingdom, Amen.
The Books of History
The Books of History
Ezra 6-10 Wednesday: Psalms 134-136
Thursday: Ecclesiastes 9-10
Friday: Zechariah 8-14
Ezra 6
1
Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
2
And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:
3
In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;
4
With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:
5
And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.
6
Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:
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 in his place.
8
Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
9
And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:
10
That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
11
Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.
12
And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
13
Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.
14
And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
15
And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
16
And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.
17
And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
18
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
19
And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.
20
For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
21
And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,
22
And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Ezra 7
1
Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
2
The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
3
The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
4
The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
5
The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
6
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
7
And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
8
And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
9
For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he 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 in Israel statutes and judgments.
11
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.
12
Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
13
I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.
14
Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
15
And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
16
And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
17
That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
18
And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.
19
The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.
20
And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
21
And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
22
Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
23
Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
24
Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
25
And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.
26
And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
27
Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
28
And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
Ezra 8
1
These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.
2
Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Hattush.
3
Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.
4
Of the sons of Pahathmoab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males.
5
Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males.
6
Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.
7
And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males.
8
And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males.
9
Of the sons of Joab; Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males.
10
And of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him an hundred and threescore males.
11
And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males.
12
And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males.
13
And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males.
14
Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males.
15
And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.
16
Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.
17
And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
18
And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
19
And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;
20
Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.
21
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
22
For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
23
So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.
24
Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
25
And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered:
26
I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents;
27
Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.
28
And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the LORD God of your fathers.
29
Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD.
30
So took the priests and the Levites the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God.
31
Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
32
And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days.
33
Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;
34
By number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time.
35
Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.
36
And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
Ezra 9
1
Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
2
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
3
And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.
4
Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.
5
And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,
6
And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
7
Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
8
And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
9
For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
10
And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
11
Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.
12
Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.
13
And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;
14
Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
15
O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.
Ezra 10
1
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.
2
And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.
3
Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.
4
Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.
5
Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.
6
Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.
7
And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;
8
And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.
9
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.
10
And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.
11
Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
12
Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.
13
But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.
14
Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.
15
Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
16
And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.
17
And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month.
18
And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.
19
And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.
20
And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.
21
And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.
22
And of the sons of Pashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and Elasah.
23
Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
24
Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
25
Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.
26
And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.
27
And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza.
28
Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.
29
And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.
30
And of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.
31
And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
32
Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.
33
Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.
34
Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel,
35
Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh,
36
Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
37
Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau,
38
And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei,
39
And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah,
40
Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai,
41
Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah,
42
Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.
43
Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.
44
All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.
Ezra 6-10 Wednesday: Psalms 134-136
Thursday: Ecclesiastes 9-10
Friday: Zechariah 8-14
Ezra 6
1
Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
2
And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:
3
In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;
4
With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:
5
And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.
6
Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:
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 in his place.
8
Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
9
And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:
10
That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
11
Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.
12
And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
13
Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.
14
And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
15
And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
16
And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.
17
And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
18
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
19
And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.
20
For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
21
And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,
22
And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Ezra 7
1
Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
2
The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
3
The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
4
The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
5
The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
6
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
7
And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
8
And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
9
For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he 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 in Israel statutes and judgments.
11
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.
12
Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
13
I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.
14
Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
15
And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
16
And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
17
That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
18
And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.
19
The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.
20
And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
21
And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
22
Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
23
Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
24
Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
25
And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.
26
And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
27
Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
28
And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
Ezra 8
1
These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.
2
Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Hattush.
3
Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.
4
Of the sons of Pahathmoab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males.
5
Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males.
6
Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.
7
And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males.
8
And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males.
9
Of the sons of Joab; Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males.
10
And of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him an hundred and threescore males.
11
And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males.
12
And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males.
13
And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males.
14
Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males.
15
And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.
16
Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.
17
And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
18
And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
19
And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;
20
Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.
21
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
22
For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
23
So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.
24
Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
25
And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered:
26
I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents;
27
Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.
28
And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the LORD God of your fathers.
29
Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD.
30
So took the priests and the Levites the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God.
31
Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
32
And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days.
33
Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;
34
By number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time.
35
Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.
36
And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
Ezra 9
1
Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
2
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
3
And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.
4
Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.
5
And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,
6
And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
7
Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
8
And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
9
For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
10
And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
11
Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.
12
Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.
13
And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;
14
Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
15
O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.
Ezra 10
1
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.
2
And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.
3
Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.
4
Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.
5
Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.
6
Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.
7
And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;
8
And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.
9
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.
10
And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.
11
Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
12
Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.
13
But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.
14
Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.
15
Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
16
And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.
17
And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month.
18
And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.
19
And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.
20
And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.
21
And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.
22
And of the sons of Pashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and Elasah.
23
Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
24
Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
25
Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.
26
And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.
27
And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza.
28
Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.
29
And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.
30
And of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.
31
And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
32
Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.
33
Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.
34
Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel,
35
Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh,
36
Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
37
Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau,
38
And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei,
39
And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah,
40
Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai,
41
Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah,
42
Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.
43
Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.
44
All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Moses Refusing Egypt and Choosing God's People, by Faith
Moses Refusing Egypt and Choosing God's People, by Faith
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. (Hebrews 11:24-25)
The natural tendency of humanity is to desire privilege and pleasure. These two were certainly available to Moses in Egypt. Yet, he refused Egypt and chose God's people, demonstrating the far reaching impact of trusting in the Lord.
When the daughter of Pharaoh discovered baby Moses, she decided to raise him as her child. "Moses was born…and he was brought up in his father's house for three months. But when he was set out, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son" (Acts 7:20-21). As an offspring of the palace, Moses had access to the very best of human education, and he became proficient in all that was provided for him. "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds" (Acts 7:22). In terms of conventional earthly perspectives, Moses was guaranteed a life of privilege and pleasure.
However, when he reached the age of relative maturity, his heart was drawn in a distinctively different direction. "But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel" (Acts 7:23). The wording implies that he had been taught of his link with the Israelites as he was growing up in Pharoah's household. Eventually, his heart was stirred by this connection, and he made a life-shaping decision, by faith. "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter." He decided to renounce his place of privilege in Pharoah's family and to identify himself with God's people. He was aware that this choice was a renunciation of a pleasure-filled life and would inevitably lead to suffering: "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin."
To commit to the palace would have been pleasurable, but sinful. Furthermore, those sinful pleasures would have been temporary. On the other hand, the blessings of following the leading of the Lord would last forever. Moses' heavenly perspective was much like the Psalmist. "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [that is, in anyplace else]. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Psalm 84:10).
Heavenly Father, help me to discern whenever the offer of human privilege is competing with Your will for my life. Please give me a heart to identify with Your people, even though inconvenience or suffering might result. Strengthen my faith to choose eternal blessings over the passing pleasures of sin, Amen.
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. (Hebrews 11:24-25)
The natural tendency of humanity is to desire privilege and pleasure. These two were certainly available to Moses in Egypt. Yet, he refused Egypt and chose God's people, demonstrating the far reaching impact of trusting in the Lord.
When the daughter of Pharaoh discovered baby Moses, she decided to raise him as her child. "Moses was born…and he was brought up in his father's house for three months. But when he was set out, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son" (Acts 7:20-21). As an offspring of the palace, Moses had access to the very best of human education, and he became proficient in all that was provided for him. "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds" (Acts 7:22). In terms of conventional earthly perspectives, Moses was guaranteed a life of privilege and pleasure.
However, when he reached the age of relative maturity, his heart was drawn in a distinctively different direction. "But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel" (Acts 7:23). The wording implies that he had been taught of his link with the Israelites as he was growing up in Pharoah's household. Eventually, his heart was stirred by this connection, and he made a life-shaping decision, by faith. "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter." He decided to renounce his place of privilege in Pharoah's family and to identify himself with God's people. He was aware that this choice was a renunciation of a pleasure-filled life and would inevitably lead to suffering: "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin."
To commit to the palace would have been pleasurable, but sinful. Furthermore, those sinful pleasures would have been temporary. On the other hand, the blessings of following the leading of the Lord would last forever. Moses' heavenly perspective was much like the Psalmist. "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [that is, in anyplace else]. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Psalm 84:10).
Heavenly Father, help me to discern whenever the offer of human privilege is competing with Your will for my life. Please give me a heart to identify with Your people, even though inconvenience or suffering might result. Strengthen my faith to choose eternal blessings over the passing pleasures of sin, Amen.
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