Nehemiah 8-10 Praise and Remember

by Jill Ice

Nehemiah 9 is a wonderful passage displaying Israel when they were in accordance with God. The people of Israel were fasting, confessing their sins before God, and listening with attentive hearts to the reading of the Law. Then the praising begins.

⁵ Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

⁶ “You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.

Nehemiah 9:5-6

After the praising comes a brief history of how God has delivered and judged Israel, which I think is a very good example to all of us. Praise and remember, praise and remember.

Remember - so that we can think correctly about the present and the future.

Praise - for He has dealt mercifully and loved abundantly.

The Art of Continual Prayer: Nehemiah 1-5

by Diana Durrill


Paul encourages believers to be in a continual state of prayer as they walk through the Christian life.  We can do this because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, who provides access to God.  Jehovah is always available, always listening, and always in control.

Nehemiah understood this about God.  We find a wonderful example of continual prayer in Nehemiah's life.  He is burdened and heartbroken over the desolation that has come to Jerusalem and he begins to pray, crying out to God.

"O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes be open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants..."

Nehemiah's burden and concern was so great that it was showing on his countenance.  When the king saw that Nehemiah was sad, he asked him why and Nehemiah tells us in chapter 2, verse 2,

"Then I was very much afraid..."

And in 2:4 we see how he conquers his fear:

"So I prayed to the God of heaven."

Unlike the previous prayer in chapter one, this was a quick, quiet plea for God's wisdom and words.  It was something offered up in a moment, even as his heart raced and the words came tumbling from his lips.

Later on, after they began rebuilding the wall they needed to pray for protection from those who would seek to destroy their efforts.

"And we prayed to our God to set a protection against them day and night."

These are all examples of what Paul has in mind when he says, "Pray without ceasing" in I Thessalonians 5:17.  He means for believers to pray regularly and persistently.  Pray in thanksgiving, fear, anger,  or joy.  Pray when you find yourself full of trust and when in doubt, during trials or in times of blessing.

We can do this throughout our day - as we're folding clothes, as we drive by a homeless person, as we think of our children in the middle of their school day.  We can pray as we browse Facebook, lifting up friends (and friends of friends) who are going through tough times.  We can pray on an airplane or in a car.  We can pray for the injured when an ambulance passes by.  Prayer can be done through song, through writing or drawing (see example to the right), or through tears when no words will come.  It is a skill that is learned, practiced and developed, and in the end, it is an act of faith in which God richly blesses our lives as we learn to walk with Him through every circumstance.

Pray without ceasing.

Esther 6-10

by Paul Ice

My favorite part of this passage is Esther 8:8.  Before we get to that, have you ever have one of those moments where you asked/pleaded with God regarding a struggle?  And when God answers, you realize His answer is even more than you thought to ask.  Here is Esther 8:8


But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king's ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king's ring cannot be revoked.”
(Esther 8:8 ESV)

The King not only listened to her, but he gave her the full authority to write the edict in his name. This was all part of God's plan.  So everything would be good after that for the Jews right?  They would have seen God work and would now follow all his commands, correct?

The story continues.
 

Esther 1-5

by Adam Johnson

Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews.  Esther 4:13

This book is an amazing window given to us by God about several people who lived in the time of one of the greatest empires of the history of man. It does not even have God's name mentioned in it, but it has the design and fingerprints of the LORD stamped upon it. It shows that God will use the least to exalt His great name. After these momentous events that catapulted a young beautiful woman to queen from a common station, we find that there is no accidents with God. Mordecai merely responds to her that her life is important, but in comparison to the lives of God's people her new position is irrelevant. It is a reminder that God's plan will circumvent any title or glory in this world.

It is a subtle reminder that He orchestrates all times, events, and people for His glory. He builds up and tears down in justice and power. God will not share glory with His creation, but will display mercy and compassion so that man will instead look to Him for deliverance. When we try to manipulate people or events to our advantage without seeking God's presence or will in the matter, we are essentially telling God we are better off without Him. The One who holds all kingdoms in His hands cannot protect or direct our lives? No, it simply means we are afraid He does not have our interests in mind. In all things we submit and thank Him for the oversight and protection He provides for His children.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. I Peter 5:6-7

Restoration and Encouragement

by Rebekah Johnson
from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary with verses added.

Thus says the LORD: "I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem..." Zechariah 8:3
The sins of Zion were her worst enemies. God will take away her sins, and then no other enemies shall hurt her. Those who profess religion must adorn their profession by godliness and honesty. When become a city of truth and a mountain of holiness, Jerusalem is peaceable and prosperous. Verses 4,5, beautifully describe a state of great outward peace, attended with plenty, temperance, and contentment. The scattered Israelites shall be brought together from all parts. God will never leave nor forsake them in a way of mercy, for this he has promised them; and they shall never leave nor forsake him in a way of duty, as they have promised him. These promises were partly fulfilled in the Jewish church, betwixt the captivity and the time of Christ's coming; and they had fuller accomplishment in the gospel church; but the full import must be as to the future times of the Christian church, or the future restoration of the Jews. With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible; so far are God's thoughts and ways above ours. In the present low state of vital godliness, we can hardly conceive that so complete a change can be made; but a change thus extensive and glorious, can be brought to pass by the almighty power of the new-creating Spirit, in less time than he was pleased to employ in creating the world. Let the hands of all who labour in the cause of the gospel be strong, serving the Lord in true holiness, assured that their labour shall not be in vain.

Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Let your hands be strong..." Zechariah 8:9
Those only who lay their hands to the plough of duty, shall have them strengthened with the promises of mercy: those who avoid their fathers' faults have the curse turned into a blessing. Those who believed the promises, were to show their faith by their works, and to wait the fulfilment. When God is displeased, he can cause trade to decay, and set every man against his neighbour; but when he returns in mercy, all is happy and prosperous. Surely believers in Christ must not trifle with the exhortation to put away lying, and to speak every man peace with his neighbor, to hate what the Lord hates, and to love that wherein he delights.

"Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace." Zechariah 8:19
When God comes towards us in ways of mercy, we must meet him with joy and thankfulness. Therefore be faithful and honest in all your dealings; and let it be a pleasure to you to be so, though thereby you come short of the gains others get dishonestly; and, as much as in you lies, live peaceably with all men. Let the truths of God rule in your heads, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Thus the ancient servants of God drew the notice of heathen neighbours, whose prejudices were softened. A great increase to the church shall be made. Hitherto the Jews had been prone to learn the idolatries of other nations: what more unlikely than that they should teach religion to their conquerors, and to all the principal nations of the earth! Yet this is expressly foretold, and it came to pass. Hitherto the prophecy has been wonderfully fulfilled, and no doubt future events will explain it further. It is good to be with those who have God with them; if we take God for our God, we must take his people for our people, and be willing to take our lot with them. But let not any one think that mere zeal, either for Jews or Gentiles, will stand in the place of personal religion. Let us be living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men, so that others may wish to go with us, and to have their portion with us in the realms of bliss.

Zechariah 1-7 Here We Go Again

by Jill Ice

Here we go again.

God once again calls Israel to repentance and back into right standing with Him. Israel’s all-to-common response:

^11” But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.¹²They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts. ¹³ “As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,” says the Lord of hosts, ¹⁴ “and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate.”

Zechariah 7

I have to admit I’m getting weary of Israel’s rebellion and stubbornness. I find myself thinking “I can’t wait to get to the New Testament!” The New Testament seems to be a land flowing with milk and honey compared to the dry desolation of doom and gloom we find in the pages of the Old.

I read recently that approximately 85% of the Old Testament is filled with pronouncements of judgment upon Israel. There have been bright spots here and there. My heart rejoiced upon reading last week about Daniel’s heart for God and God’s hand of protection upon him. But for the most part, Israel hasn’t been able to get it right in regards to following their Creator, their God, the One Who made covenant with them.

Then I thought about it from Israel’s point of view. I’m sure they were tired of it all too. The old covenant that they were living under (God’s promise to Abraham and descendants to make them a great nation, give them a land, and to be their God) just wasn’t working for them. And it couldn’t. The old covenant was written on tablets of stone and was merely a schoolmaster to show the nation of Israel that they weren’t good enough. They could never be good enough to keep all the rules or to live a life pleasing to God, and therefore gain acceptance with Him.

They needed a Savior. They needed a new and better covenant, enacted on better promises.

But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Hebrews 8:6

They needed a High Priest Who could make the sacrifice once and for all. And they needed a new covenant which would be written on their own hearts.

²⁶ And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

Sadly, when the new covenant was offered, not all accepted. They chose to stay in the dry and desolate land of striving in their own power for God’s acceptance. It never works on our own. Only Christ’s atoning work on the cross can satisfy God’s wrath.

Praise Him for His new covenant. Can’t wait to read about it again.

The King's Heart

by Diana Durrill

The Jews are finally beginning the work on rebuilding the temple.  Before too long, their enemies oppose them and write a compelling letter to Artaxerxes, the Persian Emperor, telling him that they were building a "rebellious city" (4:12).  Artaxerxes, as any proud but fearful King would do, puts a stop to the work.  

It looks to man like God's plans are interrupted.  However, as we keep reading we are reminded that God's plans cannot be interrupted.  What appears to be trouble or interruptions in our lives is often preparation for God's great blessing! 

In Ezra 5:1 God sends Haggai and Zechariah who encourage the people to begin building again. The enemies go back to their same tricks and try the same tactic that had worked on Artaxerxes on the new emperor, Darius. They write a letter of complaint but this time it backfired and if we are paying attention we will see an amazing reverse effect!  (It kind of makes you want to stand up and cheer for Darius!)

Darius went back and searched the archives and found the original decree from Cyrus that authorized the building the temple. In Ezra 6:7-8 he writes back with a surprising message, one that is above and beyond what they could ask or think. (Which, by the way, is just like our God! - Ephesians 3:20) He says to the enemies in Judah,

“Now therefore…Keep Away.  Let the work of this house of God alone.  Let the governer of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site.  Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God.  The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue…Whatever is needed…let that be given to them day by night without fail, that they may offer pleasing sacrafices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.  Also I make a decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and his house shall be made a dunghill.  May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy the house of God that is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.”  (Ezra 6:6-12, emphasis mine)

Darius isn’t messing around, is he?  He makes it very clear that not only was he going to pay for the work to be done (sparing no expense), but he would see to it that no one halted the work, ever again.  God worked through the enemies of the Jews to bring a halt to the construction until in His timing, there was an emperor who was ready to help the re-building of the temple to the extent of paying for it!   Ezra 6:22  says it clearly,

"The Lord had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel." 

What a timely reminder for us today! God rules the hearts of kings and emperors (and presidents, president nominees, senators, city officials, etc.).  We can believe it when God’s Word says,

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.”  - Proverbs 21:1

The Kings of the South and the North

by Paul Ice

The Kings of the South and the North

Like most reading this passage I do not understand who each of the kings are, what areas they rule, or what time frame they rule during.  But, I did find one consistent theme that I thought was very interesting.  See if you can pick it out also.  Here are some quotes from Daniel 11 describing these King’s.

• for his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these.
• and he and his arm shall not endure,
• and he shall deal with them and shall prevail.
• his heart shall be exalted, and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail.
• In those times many shall rise against the king of the south . . . but they shall fail.
• Then he shall turn his face back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found.
• He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time.
• but he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him.
• Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.

Each one of their kingdoms came to and end.  Some were good, some were deceitful, and some were an abomination, but all of them were “but only for a time.”

Why is this so important? Remember back to Daniel 7?

“As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language worshiped him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14

Daniel 7-9

by Adam Johnson

Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.     Daniel 9:3-5

Daniel had received many visions and interpretations of future events to come throughout his life in the Chaldean empire. However, no other time shook Daniel like this one. As he studied the Scriptures he grasped the nature of the rebellion Israel had committed against the Lord. Daniel did not say, "all my fathers have sinned," but he included himself in the sins against God. He did not accuse God of evil or being unfair, but confessed that instead God was just in His punishment. He prayed a confession to move the hand of God, and a desire to know Him.

How easy it is to study the Scriptures and not be moved to prayer. God's wondrous works and deeds are spelled out for us throughout the Bible, but how do we respond to eternal truth? It should always move us to respond in action or within our hearts. The gift of salvation, life, and truth are given to us by God Himself for our benefit so we should treat it accordingly as the source of all that matters in life.

Daniel 1-3 A Man of Convictions

by Jill Ice

Adapted from Daniel The Prophet From the Bible

"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."

Daniel 1:8

Daniel was a young man of deep convictions. He knew and understood the ways of God, even in his youth. He must have spent much of his young life studying the law because he knew it well by the time he was taken captive into Babylon. Daniel knew the importance of remaining pure and undefiled, even in a culture that was saturated with pagan practices and idol worship. It was because of his love for God and his commitment to purity that God entrusted Daniel with the ability to understand and interpret dreams and visions. And this divine ability served him well many times during Daniel's service to the king.

Daniel was among the Israelites taken captive from Jerusalem when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged it. Yet despite the unfair circumstances, his faith remained strong. Daniel was selected to be part of the king's court because he met certain criteria according to the king's request. The men chosen were to be ones "in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace." (Daniel 1:4)

Daniel, even as a youth, displayed these characteristics. He already was considered one of the best of the best. But because of Daniel's obedient and submissive heart, God took him and made him better. In fact, the Bible says that in wisdom and understanding, Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshac, and Abed-nego, were 10 times better than any of the magicians and astrologers in the entire empire.

Daniel's new life in a foreign land included instruction in both the language and literature of the Babylonians. Having a position in the king's court, Daniel was exposed daily to the riches, the luxury, and all the other seductions of the Babylonian Empire. Yet he was determined to remain consecrated, not partaking of the delicacies provided to him by the king. To refuse the provisions meant sure consequences for him and for those overseeing his instruction. Yet Daniel remained steadfast, knowing that God would honor his choice to obey divine law rather than the laws of men.

Daniel had a greater respect for and fear of God than he did of the king. Knowing and believing that God would use him, Daniel kept his focus on God. In both the Babylon and the Persian Empires, Daniel was made great in the eyes of the kings and fellow men. The supernatural miracles that occurred in Daniel's life were recognized as ones that only the God of heaven and earth could do. To have the ability to not only interpret a dream but to state the dream without having prior foreknowledge, or to interpret the writings on the wall made by the finger of God, or to be rescued from the mouths of lions, are all displays of the faith of a man who, from his youth, determined to learn and follow the ways of God.

Jehovah Shammah

posted by Diana Durrill

"And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD Is There." - Ezekiel 48:35 

 Beloved, have not you always found that not only your faith, but all your good works are the subjects of Satan’s attacks? I never yet had a virtue or possessed a Divine Grace but what it was sure to be the target for hellish bullets, whether it was Hope, bright and sparkling, or Love, warm and fervent, or Patience, all enduring, or Zeal, flaming like coals of fire; the old enemy of everything that is good has tried, if he could, to destroy or mar it! And why is it that anything virtuous or lovely survives in you? There can be no reason given except this, “God is there.” God dwells in His people! Every good thing which springs up in the human heart is an emanation from the indwelling Deity, and being such, the Destroyer may vent his malice upon it, but as the waves are broken against the rocks, so shall his cruel spite be broken against the power of the Most High God—God is in it!

C.H. Spurgeon - October 25, 1863 

Is 42-43

“His glory filled the Temple”

We often see this phrase in the Old Testament, and I wonder what that must have been like.  I’m sure many stood in awe, and some looked on in fear.  Consider some of the places when God’s glory was present.

·       This is the cloud that stood by Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22).

·       This is the cloud of glory that God spoke to Israel from (Exodus 16:10).

·       This is the cloud from which God met with Moses and others (Exodus 19:9, 24:15-18, Numbers 11:25, 12:5, 16:42).

·       This is the cloud that stood by the door of the Tabernacle (Exodus 33:9-10).

·       This is the cloud from which God appeared to the High Priest in the Holy Place inside the veil (Leviticus 16:2).

·       This is the cloud of Ezekiel’s vision, filling the temple of God with the brightness of His glory (Ezekiel 10:4).

·       This is the cloud of glory that overshadowed Mary when she conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35).

·       This is the cloud present at the transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9:34-35).

·       This is the cloud of glory that received Jesus into heaven at His ascension (Acts 1:9).

·       This is the cloud that will display the glory of Jesus Christ when He returns in triumph to this earth (Luke 21:27, Revelation 1:7).

Sometimes it was called the cloud of Shekinah glory. It is hard to define the glory of God;  but maybe a good way to describe it is the radiant outshining of His character and presence.  But one thing is for sure, in those moments God was in their presence, and they knew it.

I am so thankful for the times that it has been evident that God was in our presence.  No, it wasn’t a cloud, or smoke, but He was there, and we knew it.  Before Jesus ascended into heaven He promised that the Comforter would come.   I’m thankful for the Holy Spirit who indwells us and works in our lives; and when we call upon Him, He works in a way that we know that He was in our presence.  And I look forward to the day when  we will hear a loud voice cry “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.” (Rev 21:3)

Ezekiel 38

By Rebekah Johnson

"And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they dealt so treacherously with me that I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword."    Ezekiel 38: 23

God hid His face from Israel because of their idolatry; they had ceased to be loyal to the one true God. There was no question as to why they were being chastised. However, even as God is judging His people, He still remembers His promise to His people. They are still His children, and He still has great plans for them:

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name." Ezekiel 38:25

This prophecy is directed toward Israel, but it's also a comfort to us - we know that we are God's children. We can rest assured that while we may displease Him and reap the consequences of His chastisement, He will never leave us or forsake us. He is always ready to restore when we come back to Him. 

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38-39

Ezekiel 35-37 The Sovereign Lord

by Jill Ice

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.”

Ezekiel 36:22

Do we ever take too much credit for the good things that happen to us?  Do we ever make statements that indicate we have more control than we actually do?

Many times in this book, God refers to Himself as “the Sovereign Lord.” And it is usually in reference to something He is about to do. He begins some of these statements with the phrase, “The Sovereign Lord says…” It is a statement of certainty based on the authority and power of God. He is the ruler over all things and everything is under His control. His words are always true. Why? All because He is sovereign. He is in control. What He says will happen. And it will happen in spite of all that we, Israel has done to offend Him. He will do all these things in order to protect the holiness of His name, not because of anything Israel has done to deserve it.

Read verse 36 of chapter 36, “Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the LORD; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it.”

God will do what He has promised, not because anyone deserves it, but because His holy name requires it. He must be true to His name, to His character. He is a faithful, promise-keeping God.

At the end of this chapter he reinforces that He is and will be the Sovereign One that calls Israel to Himself.  It is a great verse to remind us of God’s sovereignty in our lives also.

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh . . . And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27

The Pride of Man Ezekiel 28-31

By Mike Durrill

The prophet of God is preaching a recurring theme throughout these chapters. You see over and over men and nations being accused of acting like gods. Idolatry - putting another god in place of God. Most think of idolatry as worshipping some "thing" that one has set up in place of God, but in reality it goes beyond the "thing" to the person who has set up the thing. Idolatry boils down to worship of self.



[2] "Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because your heart is proud, and you have said, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,' yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god-- - Eze 28:2 ESV


[3] speak, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lies in the midst of his streams, that says, 'My Nile is my own; I made it for myself.' - Eze 29:3 ESV

God has no rivals. O the folly of His creation to lift themselves up in their own eyes, declaring to be god!

Most read this post and think, "I have no ambitions of this!" Yet, it is in our very make-up. At the heart of sin is the desire to go against God. It is pride and it is our very sinful nature to want His position. The end result of this is what you see in these passages - God being God.

It is only repentance and forgiveness by the grace of God that gives us the ability to worship and exalt Him for Who He is - God.

God has no rivals.

Ezekiel 24-27

So you just read this passage and closed the Bible. You have two options. One, forget about it so you don't stay depressed. Or two, think hard and ask the Holy Spirit why God has revealed and preserved this for you. I mean, this is one of those passages where it's better to not even look at the subheadings which are found in most Bibles. Mine read: "The Siege of Jerusalem," "Ezekiel's Wife Dies," "Prophecy Against Ammon, "Prophecy Against Moab and Seir," "Prophecy Agianst Edom," "Prophecy Against Philistia," "Prophecy Against Tyre," "Lament For Tyre." You may even wonder to yourself, "Where is Jesus Christ in all of this?"

Well think about it this way. These were all once mighty cities. They were driven by world's system of the age: prosperity and pleasure.  Sound familiar? And to quote the eerily honest cry of a popular Rock band  "in the end it didn't even matter."

When your waters came from the seas, you satisfied many peoples; with your abundant wealth and merchandise you enriched the kings of the earth. 
Now you are wrecked by the seas, in the depths of the waters; your merchandise and all your crew in your midst have sunk with you. Ezekiel 27:33,34

This is one of the hundred passages in the Old Testament which remind us over and over again of this truth: You need something more! Living for anything under this sun other than God is ultimately going to lead to failure and pain.

The only way we get to God is through His Son Jesus Christ. The only way we can get past this whole dreaded cycle of doom the lost find themselves in is to look to Christ the author and finisher of our faith.

Holy, holy holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. Worthy are you , our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Revelation 4

Ezekiel 22,23

by Paul Ice

Stand in the breach | Ezekiel 22:30

Ezekiel 22:30
 And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.

Israel was far from God. The leaders were abusing their God-given power. They were religious, but using their religious activities to fulfill their lust.  The people turned their God-given desire to worship towards worthless idols. God’s chosen people were making choices against Him. And God looked for someone…anyone…to build up the spiritual walls and stand in the gap. But He found no one.  This is definitely a sad statement.

God is still looking for people to build spiritual walls and stand in the breach. He is looking for moms more concerned about their daughter’s walk with God than their circle of popular friends. He is looking for fathers more concerned about their son’s heart than their batting averages. He is looking for leaders living out the love of the gospel in spite of the cultural pressure.

So, here’s the question. As God looks for someone to build up the wall and stand before Him in the breach, who will He find? Here’s the bigger question—will He find you?