Devotions

This is a collection of devotions and thoughts prepared by various members of the family.

Devotions

In Ezra chapter 6, we see the conclusion of the storm that the builders went through in chapters 4 and 5. In chapter 4, the bad guys came in, first trying to trick their way in, then by outright attacks, to stop the building of the temple. The builders were so overcome that by the end of the chapter, they stopped working. In chapter 5, the prophets preached to the people, and they were encouraged and went back to work, writing a letter to the king about the problem.

Notice the pattern in this trial:

  1. They went about their work, with the help of God (ch 5, vs 2,5). It may be difficult in a hard trial, but keep moving; keep doing what God has called you to do. Go in His strength and the power of His might, but don't quit.
  2. They appealed to the king, instead of retaliating (ch 5, vs 7-17). Be in a position to act instead of reacting when necessary. When in the middle of a trial, if some type of problem needs to be dealt with, follow the correct Biblical pattern, with the right spirit. Using Biblical principles and the right spirit to interact with others through my trial will allow me to be a good testimony in the midst of a dark time. The reality is that our lives touch other people's lives, and so our trials will, too, so even if the trial that I'm going through shouldn't involve other people, its likely to affect other people. If I retaliate every time I feel attacked, not only do I risk losing my testimony, but I also get distracted from doing the job that God has put before me.
  3. God gave them a clear victory (ch 6). The appeal to the king resulted in him looking at the records, and protecting the builders. He told the bad guys to "Let the work of this house of God alone" and that anyone who disobeyed his decree would be hanged with wood from his own house. The chapter ends with great joy as the Jews kept the feast of unleavened bread; this was what it was all about - serving God with joy!

Do you want the story of your trial to end in great joy? Simply keep moving in God's strength, serving Him. Ask Him to give you the right spirit in dealing with conflict, seeking the Biblical pattern for resolve. Rest in the Lord, knowing that in His timing, this trial will pass, and great joy will return to your life again.

(Ezra 6:7, 11, 21-22) "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. ... (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. ... (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."

Devotions

Ezra chapter 5 shows us the solution to the problem of chapter 4. The bad guys had come in chapter 4 and deceived and attacked and discouraged the builders to the point that they stopped building.

Ezra chapter 5 starts with the prophets Haggai and Zechariah preaching to the people. The result was that they got back up and started building again. By the end of the chapter, they had written a letter to the king, challenging the bad guys. They had become encouraged and revived by the preaching of the prophets.

Are you discouraged? Are you ready to quit? Perhaps you have already given up and decided to stop fighting for what is right. Our adversary the devil is a deceitful enemy, but "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (I John 4:4)

Get under the preaching of God's Word and be encouraged. Be in church for every service and hear what God has prepared for you through the preaching; it just might give you the strength to get up and get fighting again. Will you allow the preaching of God's Word to work on your problems?

(Ezra 5:1-2, 17) "Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. (2) Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them. ... (17) Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter."

Devotions

Everything was going along fine until the bad guys showed up in Ezra 4. When they first showed up, they pretended to be "all for" the Jews, and wanted to build with them and claimed that they worshipped the same God. But the leaders saw right through them, and stood up to them.

We have an enemy, who will sneak in and pretend to be something that he is not. Consider 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." Be on guard, and be like the leaders of Israel in Ezra 4 - cut off the conversation before it even begins.

When you refused to play games with the devil, then he will show his true colors and the deception will fade. The wicked men began to trouble those who were building. Then they hired lawyers. Then they sent a letter to the king; it was a deceitful letter with no context concerning the Jew's past and predicting their future.

(1 Peter 5:8) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" When the devil can't get his way by sneaking in to your life, watch out, for he will attack like the pouncing of a lion. He'll bring up your past, taking it out of context, and leaving out the part about the blood of Christ cleansing you from all sin. He'll predict your future, void of the power of the Spirit of God in your life.

The story doesn't end here - as we will soon see as we progress into the book of Ezra. The story doesn't end here for us, either, at a spiritual attack from the devil. Overcome his attack in your life by resisting him and submitting to God instead, and the Bible promises in James 4:7, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

(Ezra 4:1-3, 23) "Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; (2) Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. (3) But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us. ... (23) Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power."

Devotions

In Ezra 3, we see that the work began. They began to rebuild and to sacrifice and keep the feasts and give. Then, in the second year and the second month, they began to rebuild the temple, and when the foundation was done, there was great singing and rejoicing and praising God and giving thanks!

There were some that were praising God because of what they could do now - they could go on to build the rest of the temple and continue on with the great future that lay before them. Praise God for what is ahead of you. God already has the future!

There were some that were rejoicing for the present. The foundation was laid before their eyes. They were making progress and working together right then and there, and they were unified as one man (verse 1) to accomplish this. It was a good time to be alive! Rejoice in what God is accomplishing right now. Appreciate those around you. Relax and serve God, thanking Him for what He has for you in "the now."

And then there were the "ancients" - those who had seen the first temple, and now were here to rebuild it again. They wept and thanked God for His mercy; for bringing them back out of judgment; for bringing them through to where they could serve Him again. They remembered the "glory days" and could see that the God of the past is the God of the present and the God of the future.

Verse 13 tells us that if you were there, you would not be able to discern the weeping from the joy and the shouting. God is good! Give Him glory for the past, serve Him in the present, and seek Him for the future. His mercy endureth for ever!

(Ezra 3:11-13) "And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. (12) But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: (13) So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off."

Devotions

One of the most cherished doctrines that I hold dear, and that is one of our Baptist Distinctive, is the priesthood of the believer. The Bible teaches in I Peter 2 and other places that all born-again believers have direct access to God; we don't have to go through an earthly priest to get God's attention.

In Ezra chapter 2, we see the Jews returning from Babylon to Jerusalem and Judah; everyone to his own city. In verses 59-63, it gives the account of some who claimed to be in the priestly line, but their names were not recorded.

The right seed

"...They could not shew their father's house and their seed, whether they were of Israel." They sought a claim based upon who their parents were, but couldn't take it any further.

Today, many people make a claim on salvation based up on the wrong thing: "my parents said," or "I did this," or "I'm a good person," or "I think." The reality is that nothing matters but being born again: 1 Peter 1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."

There is hope in Jesus Christ

"...Till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim." This is a reference to the high priest. Since their names were not written down, they were told to wait until the high priest came and could get direction from God on the matter. Jesus Christ is our High Priest - Hebrews 4:14-15, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

If your name is not written down in the Book of Life, turn to Christ today. Then you, too, can be included in the priesthood of the believers (I Peter 2:9).

(Ezra 2:59-63) "And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: (60) The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two. (61) And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: (62) These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. (63) And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim."

Devotions

I find the story in Ezra chapter 1 to be a fascinating testament to the working of God. It was the end of the Babylonian captivity of Judah, and time for God's people to return and rebuild Jerusalem and the house of God. But how did God accomplish this? Did God's people rise up on their own to go home? Did God raise up a leader from within the Jewish people to lead them out, as God raised up Moses to lead his people out of the bondage of Egypt?

No, in this case, God used the pagan king himself, who was in charge of their captivity, to send them home and support them in rebuilding Jerusalem. The Bible says that the Lord stirred up his spirit to do this. God clearly used him to do a great thing.

God doesn't use us because we are special. God can use whoever He chooses to accomplish His will and keep His promises. Its not about me, and what I can do for God; its about God, and bringing glory to Him and fulfilling His Word.

(Ezra 1:1-3) "Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, (2) Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. (3) Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem."

Devotions

As the book of Daniel comes to a close, we see an important focus in chapter 12 - one that I think should matter to all of us. When you boil down the great prophecies and events found in Daniel, they are just events and future events unless you remember Daniel 12:2-3: physical death is not final and does not conclude our lives. Every person will face either everlasting life or everlasting shame and contempt. Every person will face his Creator. Then verse 3 shows us that the wise will be involved in pointing others to righteousness.

I think that Daniel got ahold of this focus and burden early in his life. Very few people have gone through the likes of Daniel's traumatic life, yet he stayed focus on serving the Lord, and through some of the clearest and most detailed prophecy in the Bible, is still pointing others to righteousness to this day.

So what's my excuse? When I boil it all down, there is still a Great Commission that commands me to give the Gospel, and to be involved in pointing people to righteousness. I can get involved in programs and become an expert in any doctrine or any subject, but if I lose my focus on souls, I've missed the point of that program or study or expertise.

Daniel saw the destruction of his beloved country in the Babylonian captivity, yet he didn't lose his focus, and kept on for God.

Daniel was kidnapped and made to serve ungodly kings, yet he didn't lose his focus, and kept on for God.

Daniel was falsely accused and disliked by the others he had to work around, yet he didn't lose his focus, and kept on for God.

Daniel faced "sure death" in the lion's den, yet he didn't lose his focus, and kept on for God.

Daniel faced uncertain times and changing leadership, yet he didn't lose his focus, and kept on for God.

I hope that I may be able to glorify God in my life in even a fraction of the way that Daniel did, and work with others, pointing them to salvation and the goodness of God.

(Daniel 12:2-3) "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (3) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."

Devotions

As the book of Daniel is ramping up into future and end-time prophecy, we come upon Daniel Chapter Seven. As Daniel sees the vision and asks questions about the four beasts and kingdoms that would come upon the world scene, there is a recurring theme that is repeated at least four times in this chapter. That theme is that all this evil happens, until He (the Ancient of days) comes, and sets things in order, destroying the wickedness and replacing it with His everlasting, indestructible Kingdom.
I think that this should be the theme of any person's life:
Until He Came - I was lost in my own wickedness. But He saved my soul when I called on Him.
Until He Came - I had no power over my sin nature. But as I yield to the Holy Spirit, He changes my nature to be more like Christ.
Until He Came - I had no direction in life. But as I seek Him daily, He guides me through studying and hearing the preaching of the Word.
Until He Came - I had no hope for the future. But now I know that Jesus Christ is our Blessed Hope, and I look for His coming in the clouds to snatch us away before the tribulation.
Whether it be the things of the past, the things that I face today, or the things of the end times, there is no need to fear, when I focus on Him.
(Daniel 7:21-22) "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; (22) Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom."
Devotions

"O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." (Psalm 34:8)

1. O TASTE AND SEE – if I want to experience the goodness of God, I need to take action. These are action words – taste and see – in the sense that God’s goodness is available to be taken into my life, but like sitting down before a meal, I need to pick up a spoon and fork and dig in. I can do that by digging into the Word of God, spending time in prayer, hearing the preaching of God’s Word in my local church as much as possible, and applying what I learn to my life as the Holy Spirit instructs me.

2. THAT THE LORD – It's all about the Lord. Sometimes I can miss the goodness of the Lord by being distracted by other “good things.” One time, when I was in high school, I went to a youth activity of some kind, and we were having a meal. We had some vegetables that some of us brought and some french fries and chicken that we bought from McDonald’s. And then we got a whole bunch of dips – every different kind of dip that McDonald's had. And we went to drenching every french fry, carrot stick, and chicken strip, in various dips. One of my mentors who was there that night said something to me that I have often thought of since. He said, “I doubt you really know what food tastes like – you really only know what the dips taste like!” In context of our verse, I wonder how many of us really know how “the Lord tastes,” as opposed to Christian programs, movies, friends, fellowships, and traditions. If I want to experience the Goodness of the Lord, I need to get alone with God and do what it takes to remove distractions.

3. IS GOOD – This is an absolute statement concerning the very character of the Lord. He IS GOOD. It is not dependent upon circumstances. It is the nature of God that He is good. Even if I have the wrong perspective about it, it does not change the fact that God is good. However, if I will take the steps necessary to remove distractions and trust God, I can experience His working in my life and be blessed by the goodness of the Lord.