Hello sweet friends,
Today’s Reading … Daniel 10-12, Ezra 1-6, Psalm 137 and Haggai 1-2
The Israelites are ready to stop running and return to God!! With the books of Ezra and Haggai come great joy in our journey. Thus begins the return of the faithful remnant to the Promised Land under the leadership of Ezra. Haggai is the first prophet that we hear teaching after the return to Canaan has begun. What joy to see God’s people returning to Him!
Let’s take a moment to reflect.
God called Abraham to be the father of His people. Through Abraham, God established descendants, “as numerous as the stars in the sky.” He wrestled with Jacob and then blessed him as the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. God used Joseph to bring his children to Egypt where they would grow into a mighty nation. It was now time to lead them to the Promised Land, Canaan. Moses, the miracle baby in the basket, was eventually called by God in the form of a burning bush to go to Pharaoh and demand the freedom of his people. Through “miraculous signs and wonders” the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and began their voyage to the Promised Land. In the wilderness, we experienced the stubbornness of the Israelites hearts and our own. They worshiped idols, grumbled and complained and allowed their fear to hinder their faith. God was unchanging. He was faithful to provide, to forgive and to love His people well. He called out to the Israelites, “Trust Me.” He calls out to us, “Trust Me.” He has proven Himself to be trustworthy. How will you answer the call?
After the death of Moses, Joshua, a courageous and faithful leader charged the Israelites, “Don’t Give Up!” We watched in awe the conquests of the Promised Land. God’s methods were unconventional and required faith. The victories were clearly because of His power and not human strength. In the Promised Land, we experienced the period of the Judges and the 7 sin cycles. When the Israelites failed to keep God first they found themselves held captive by their enemies and cried out to God for rescue. We experience the same thing when our hearts wander. God, faithful to the Israelites and to us, sent a judge to rescue His children each time they cried out to Him. Eventually, the children of God asked for an earthly king. This was never God’s best plan for them as He was to be their only king, perfectly just and gracious. However, he provides this desire to them along with statutes that will guide the new king and his people to seek God. These statutes are to encourage them, “Don’t Give Up” on who God has called you to be. He is still calling to us, “Don’t Give Up!” He has a plan for your life. It will most likely seem unconventional and unexpected. It will require courage and faith. He is not asking you to do it in your own strength, He will fight for you. How will you answer this call?
The period of the monarchs began with Saul, impressive in stature and appearance yet weak in his faith and conviction. God calls to each of his kings, to each of the Israelites and to each of us, “Stop Running and Return to Me!” Saul does not answer this call and his life ends in tragedy. David, “a man after God’s own heart,” is a mighty warrior and is used by God to organize and build a united kingdom in Canaan. While not perfect, David repents of his sins and God is gracious to forgive. When God calls David, David runs to God. Solomon builds the temple and great wealth in the nation. However, his heart is divided and, upon his death, so is the nation of Israel. From here we see the Northern Kingdom, Israel, at war with the Southern Kingdom, Judah. Eventually, because the Israelites refuse to stop running and return to God, they are taken captive, the Temple and the wall around Jerusalem totally destroyed. God knew the result of the Israelites sin, he knew the pain that it would cause. He patiently called to them, “Stop Running and Return to Me.” They chose to ignore his cry and to continue their worship of idols of the foreign and powerless gods. What idols are you chasing? Where does your heart have a tendency to run? God is calling to you, “Stop Running and Return to Me.” How will you answer this call?
Throughout the time of the monarchs and the exile, God spoke to His people through prophets. They called to the Israelites, “Keep God First.” They knew that this was, and is, the only way to experience peace and abundant life. Despite the faithful work of the prophets, the children of God had to experience exile in order to recognize their dependence on their God. This is so often true for us. We insist on doing things our own way, in our own strength. Instead of putting God and His plans first, we place our ideas and desires on the thrones of our hearts. When we fail, when we are depleted and in the exile of our brokenness, we recognize the reality of our dependence on God. It is now that we are ready to return to Him. It is now that we can hear, with open hearts, the command to “Keep God First.” Are you ready to answer this call?
The Israelites are ready to answer God’s callings:
“Trust Me!”…Yes Lord!
“Don’t Give Up!”…Yes Lord!
“Stop Running and Return to Me!”…Yes Lord!
“Keep God First!”…Yes Lord!
Are you ready to answer these callings as well?
Love you all,
Kinsee
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return empty, but accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”(Isaiah 55:11).
