September 30

Nehemiah 11-13; Psalm 126
Yesterday I wrote about the covenant the people had signed before God to keep all His commandments.  Yet, in today’s reading we see how they have already broken their promises.  When Nehemiah leaves to fulfill other obligations, the people forsake the Sabbath, and some of the men take on foreign wives.  Upon his return, Nehemiah straightens things out, restoring, once again, the covenant of righteousness they had made to the Lord.  He was a strong leader, and the people needed a strong leader.  It’s no different today.  We need strong leaders, men who are faithful to God, able to lead His people in the ways of righteousness.  When we are blessed with shepherds who take this work seriously, we need to praise God for them, and support their efforts in every way possible.

September 29

Nehemiah 8-10
The people came together and petitioned the Lord as one.  They went over the history of Israel, recounting her wickedness and God’s unfailing faithfulness, as he restored them time and again when they would cry out to Him in their distress.  And then they wrote out a covenant to God, promising to keep His commandments and to not neglect the house of the Lord.  Having produced this written document, they then set about to sign it in agreement.  As I read this, I was reminded of the movie, Courageous.  The fathers made a covenant before God to be godly fathers, fulfilling the spiritual leadership of their homes.  They took the written covenant that had been signed, framed it, and hung it on the wall to be a constant reminder of what they had promised to do.  Not a bad idea!  Perhaps we would do well to follow their example, providing some visual aide to help us remember whom we have covenanted with, and why.

September 28

Nehemiah 6-7
Nehemiah completed the rebuilding of the temple as God had commanded, even though he was faced with danger all along the way.  The people rallied with time, money, and talents in order to accomplish this monumental task.  He then gives all the glory to God!  Many of us have had wonderful accomplishments in our lifetime, be it personal or communal.  Most, if not all of these have come at great cost, with a lot of hard work.  It is my conviction that if they had not cost us anything, they would not be nearly as valuable.  Yet, when all is said and done, to whom do we give the glory?  For, you see, it is also my belief that when we give honor to the Lord who made it possible, the result is all that much more sweet!  We lose nothing by giving Him the glory.  However, we gain much for having done so.

September 27

Nehemiah 1-5
As the people set about the work of rebuilding the temple, they are faced with a constant threat of harm from those surrounding them. God's man, Nehemiah, leads the people in accomplishing this great task. He realizes that it will only be done if Jehovah God is on their side. So, in the presence of all the people, he begins his prayer, “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments . . ." In so doing, he is reminding the people that they are serving an incredibly awesome God who loves them, and He will see their work through to its conclusion! We serve that same God today!

September 26

Ezra 7-10
Harsh repentance is required of the Israelite men who had married foreign women.  In order to find themselves back in God’s good graces, they had to put these wives, along with the children, away.  In other words, they were to divorce them.  There is nothing recorded as to the care of these women and children.  I can’t help but believe that these were pretty angry, not only with their husbands, but the God who would require such a thing.  Is this just?  I’m sure it must be, because the God of heaven and earth decreed it to be so.  These are the sort of things I struggle with as a believer.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, they don’t affect (effect?) my faith.  I just have a difficult time with them because of their harshness.  I understand God’s wanting to keep His people pure.  I get that.  And, maybe if I knew the rest of the story I might not have such a problem with His judgment.  But, I don’t know the rest of the story . . . yet!

September 25

Esther 6-10
The irony of Haman’s plan backfiring could be seen as somewhat humorous.  However, I choose to view it as a very sad event.  Not for Haman, he got what he deserved.  No, I’m sad for the Jews.  They were able to exact revenge.  And, then they went a step further in creating a special feast day celebration to commemorate the event.  I understand that we are to read this as the will of God, and it probably is, however, I still find it to be sad.  Wouldn’t the story have been much better if Mordecai would have extended grace?  What if he would have forgiven the enemies of the Jews and asked the king for equality instead?  Thousands of lives would have been saved.  Perhaps, enemies would have become allies and peace prevailed.  I suppose I’m asking too much.  What do you think?

September 24

Esther 1-5
When Esther approached the king, she knew that there was a high degree of probability that she would be executed.  However, her cause was great and she was willing to sacrifice her life for her people.  Such bravery seems uncommon in one so young.  Yet, God had chosen her for this very purpose.  Had she not taken up the mantle many would have died.  We are not often called upon to risk our lives.  But, we are given the charge to take up every opportunity to promote the gospel.  In order to fulfill this undertaking we expose ourselves to ridicule, shame, and rejection.  None of these feel good.  However, I would much rather face the shame of my fellow man, than to be ashamed before my Lord!  Have you willingly exposed yourself to persecution for the cause of Christ?  If not, won’t you start today?

September 23

 
Zechariah 10-14
Often people will ask why bad people prosper? Or, why do bad things happen to good people? I don't know if Jesus is quoting Zechariah in the Sermon on the Mount, but our reading today starts out with: Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.

In this world everyone is given equal opportunity, or missed opportunity. God doesn't discriminate. However, we can be assured that He is with us through every facet of life. He will never leave us alone! All we need do is to draw near unto Him.

September 22

 
Zechariah 5-9
As God encourages the Israelites through victorious prophecies, He admonishes them to love peace and truth. In this fallen world it can often seem that these two commodities are in short supply. I cannot remember a time when our nation was at peace, much less the world. And truth has often been replaced with a lie. History is rewritten to support the lies, and pseudo-scientific studies promote the same lie. Increasingly, we are witnessing a world that rejects the Author of Truth, and the Prince of Peace. What are we to do? Continue to love peace and truth!

September 21

Zechariah 1-4
This oft quoted passage:  ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. Reminds us that God is in control.  It’s good for me to be reminded of this from time to time.  I sometimes get a little down when things aren’t going as they should in my life and in the life of the nation.  At such times, I often remind my wife and myself that we serve a God who is able to do anything He desires.  And, I know that He desires that which is beneficial for us, even when I don’t understand His methods.  Then when that which is right happens, it’s good to remember that it was only because He intervened.

September 20

Haggai 1-2
God was not happy with His people because they had not given His temple top priority.  Instead, they were about the business of taking care of their own homes, being caught up in their own lives, while offering little or no devotion to the One who made it possible for them to have what they were enjoying.  Are we guilty of the same?  How great a priority does our service to the Lord have in our lives?  Do we devote the bulk of our time and resources to our own personal benefit, while giving little or nothing to the Lord?  If so, we need to repent, turn from self to God.  We should be using our time, talents, and resources in glorifying the King of Kings!

September 19

Ezra 4-6, Psalm 137
It is difficult to imagine the feelings the returning Jews had when they rebuilt the temple.  It must have been something to behold.  We read that they celebrated for seven days, and that the Lord had filled them with joy.  Yet, when I read of their thirst for vengeance, it is difficult to understand how God condoned such a lack of grace on their behalf.  Perhaps I would have an easier time understanding if I had walked in their shoes.  This is the great problem we have in reading Old Testament accounts.  We have not experienced their culture, the way of life they had been living, the oppression they endured.  It is one thing to read historical accounts.  It is quite another to live those same accounts.  Thus, I leave the judgment to the One who is able to judge justly.

September 18

Ezra 1-3
As the people returned from captivity in Babylon, they set about the work of rebuilding the temple and reestablishing temple worship.  This was difficult work, requiring a lot of dedication.  Yet, for all its hard work, they were rejoicing with songs of praise.  They had been deprived of openly worshiping God in the manner in which they were accustomed, and now they were being given this opportunity to worship freely, in spite of the nations who would take this right if able.  In America we cherish our constitutional right to worship as we please.  Do we praise the One who blessed our nation with godly men who saw fit to make this a right?  Let us pray that none will ever deprive us of this freedom.

September 17

 
Daniel10-12
Daniel was privileged to stand in the presence of one who seems to the Son of God. This is pretty much borne out when He doesn't rebuke the prophet for calling Him Lord. At any rate, Daniel is given a vision of the end times: Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2. This particular passage jumped out at me because I have had discourse with Brother Edward Fudge about his book, The Fire That Rages, in which he proposes that those who are condemned to hell will not suffer eternal torment. I find this disconcerting in light of the several passages of scripture such as the one we have in today's reading. I believe he is entitled to his opinion, but I also think that scripture is pretty plain here!

September 16

 
Daniel 7-9
In the midst of this prophecy of the coming judgment and the establishment of the eternal kingdom through Jesus Christ, Daniel makes this statement: We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Daniel 9:18b. He understood that we are unworthy, that we are completely dependent upon God's mercy and grace. With this knowledge, we can approach the throne of grace boldly, being assured that our Lord loves us and desires to extend His hand of mercy toward us, hearing our requests and acting upon them.

September 15

Daniel 4-6
Passages like this offer hope during dark times.  The nation I love, America, is going through dramatic change, change that I fear will destroy a nation that has enjoyed the blessings of God for more than two centuries.  I honestly believe that we are witnessing the end of this great empire.  And then I read Daniel where I’m reminded that God is in control.  Daniel, along with others who faithfully followed the Lord, realized that their kingdom was not of this world.  They knew that whatever the kingdoms of earth threw at them, they could never be overcome, because God is able to take care of those who are His own.  I need to remember that truth as the leaders of America rebel against the One who made her great.  Those who remain faithful will be protected by the One who is always faithful.  As America moves toward socialism, and away from God, there will always be the remnant who draws close to the Lord.  For these, God has a plan.  Those who choose to move in the direction away from our roots will discover the error of their ways and be given opportunity to repent.  Let us pray that they do just that!

September 14

Daniel 1-3
King Nebuchadnezzar was really something!  To expect anyone to not only interpret his dream, but to tell him what it was he dreamed, is somewhat beyond belief.  However, one can’t argue with is logic.  If he who claims to be a seer is genuine, then knowing what the king dreamed should be a piece of cake, and it was for the ones who relied upon God.  You would think this feat would be enough to convince Nebuchadnezzar that Jehovah was the only true God.  No, in his narcissism, Nebuchadnezzar sets himself up as a god to worship.  Once again, through Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, God is revealed through the flames of the fiery furnace!  What does it take to convince you that our God is real?  I know that most who read this blog don’t need convincing.  Yet, for those who don’t know the Lord, I want to ask the simple question, “Why not?”  In the Christian era, where we are free from the confines of the Law, offered salvation as a gift of grace and mercy through Jesus Christ, I find it difficult to understand how anyone could reject Him.  Lack of belief today is so much more astounding than in the days of Nebuchadnezzar it simply boggles the mind!  I would truly love an honest person to offer up an honest answer to my question, to help me understand, because I honestly don’t!

September 13

Joel 1-3
“Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill.  Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming.  It is close at hand.”  Can you sense the urgency?  This isn’t some passive announcement, with a mild hope that people will repent.  This is an all-out alarm!  Trumpets are blowing, sirens are going off, people are shouting from the hills and rooftops, the day of the Lord is coming!  These are people who know first hand what the wrath of God can accomplish.  They know that if their friends, family, and neighbors don’t hear the alarm and heed the warning, they will be swept away on the day of the Lord, never to have another opportunity to take advantage of His mercy and grace.  I wonder, do we Christians share this same sense of urgency?  God has made a way for all to be saved, yet, all are not saved!  Are the unsaved hearing the sirens?  Is the alarm loud enough?  Are we shouting the message from the rooftops and upon every hill?  Are we, not only seizing every opportunity, but also speaking boldly to those we can reach?  Today, more than at any time in the history of the world, we have no excuse for not sharing the good news.  Communication is open in unprecedented measure to nearly every living soul on the planet.  I have found myself simply stating to another, “I would really like to see you in heaven.”  I do not want to be standing over anyone’s grave asking myself why I never raised the alarm.  Truly, the day of the Lord is coming, and it is close at hand.  Don’t let anyone miss the trumpet call!

September 12

   
Ezekiel 46-48
As Ezekiel portions out the land to the various tribes, God tells him the name of the place will be: the Lord is there. However much land one might possess, be it a small lot or thousands of acres, what more could one have than for the Lord to be there? I'm not so sure that God's people always get this, but it is truly glorious when God decides to reside with us! And, that is the promise that we have in Christ Jesus, if we will only accept His wonderful gift of grace.

September 11

Ezekiel 43-45
This section reads like a portion of the law written in the Pentateuch.  However, a verse struck me as I read it, concerning the treatment of the priests: “The best of all the firstfruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests.”  There have been those who have complained to me about the amount of money this preacher or that received from the congregation, expecting the preacher to live on the wages of a pauper.  I have never understood this kind of thinking.  Even though I don’t believe a man should enter the ministry for earthly gain, I do believe that he should receive a good salary.  After all, he is given one of the most important jobs there can be, with a tremendous responsibility.  Instead of begrudging these servants a living wage, we should be honoring them with the best we have to offer!

September 10

Ezekiel 40-42
God has Ezekiel lay out the plans for the temple in intricate detail.  Reading all these details is not the most captivating reading.  In fact, it gets downright boring!  However, as I read how meticulous the Lord is in building something that is so temporary, I can’t help but wonder at the detail He has put into our eternal home in heaven!  It will truly be so magnificent that it will surpass all of our expectations!

September 9

Ezekiel 37-39
The prophecy of the valley of dry bones has captivated the imagination for centuries.  It must have been quite a sight for Ezekiel!  When the rattling began, and the bones started connecting in their proper order, to witness the sinew and tendons growing upon the bones, the reformation of the bodies, and then the breath of life coming back into them, Ezekiel must have simply been in awe.  The Lord will do what the Lord will do, nothing stands in His way!  He is able to accomplish any task He wills.  I cannot stomach the thought of cremation, and I’ve had people ask me if it’s because of my bodily resurrection.  My answer is always in the negative.  Just as God brought the valley of dry bones back to life, He can bring the ashes back together if He so chooses.  My parents were both cremated, and I have no doubt that they will be resurrected, at the proper time, through the power of the Lord!

September 8

Ezekiel 34-36
The Lord holds the shepherd accountable for his treatment of the flock.  And, of course, he holds the flock accountable for their treatment of each other.  Peter tells us that those who instruct in the word will be held to a higher standard.  We have an obligation to not only preach the word, but to live it, and to help others to do the same.  The shepherd is to look after the flock, guiding them in the ways of the Lord.  When a shepherd is lax in his duty toward the flock, he can know with surety that God is not pleased, and that He will punish the shepherd accordingly.  On the other hand, when the shepherd has fulfilled his duty, and those in the flock fail to follow his leading, they must know that they, too, will be judged for their wrong doing.  It is a difficult thing to preach the judgment, but it is necessary, because judgment is just as real as salvation!

September 7

Ezekiel 31-33
God tells Ezekiel that the people take pleasure in hearing him, but that they do not do what he says.  Yet, a time is coming when they will know that a prophet has been among them.  Unfortunately, there are many yet today who gather those who speak words of comfort to them, telling them what they want to hear.  And, when the preacher speaks words of conviction it is as though he said nothing at all.  People who only hear without conviction are self-deluded.  God expects us to change when we learn His will if it conflicts with what we are doing or not doing.  If we fail to follow the word of God, we are only deceiving ourselves into believing that we walk with the Lord.  There will be a day of reckoning, and if we have willingly chosen to ignore His word, we will have to answer for our dereliction.

September 6

Ezekiel 28-30
There is a little-known biblical scholar in the denomination I attend who has been promoting the idea of annihilationism, instead of eternal torment, for those who will go to hell.  Although not a salvation issue, it is still interesting and provides food for thought.  His is a kinder, gentler, view of hell, in my opinion.  However, I just can’t get past the passages that speak of a hell where its inhabitants suffer the wrath of God forever.  Today’s reading lends some weight to that concept, as the Lord speaks to nations that He will utterly destroy, putting their evil rulers to death.  He follows each episode of destruction with the phrase, “then they will know that I am the Lord.”  How will they know that if they have been totally annihilated?  They will know it because they will still be conscious in their deaths and able to witness the power and majesty of the God they have spurned!

September 5

Ezekiel 25-27
God reminds Tyre of their wealth and fame, how that they were the jewel of the nations, honored by all and great in power, resources, and business.  However, they did not follow the Lord and He brought destruction upon them.  This is an oft repeated scenario in the Old Testament, and it is usually accompanied with the phrase, “and then they will know that I am the Lord.”  This reminds me of the New Testament passage stating that every knee will bow and proclaim the name of the Lord.  Of course, this passage has to do with the final judgment.  However, the principle remains the same.  When God pronounces judgment on the wicked they will truly know that He is the Lord, but it will be too late, destruction will have already come.  It will be too late to learn from the mistakes of the past.  He has given ample opportunity to come to Him in repentance.  As for nations falling, when they do because of their wickedness, they never return to their former glory.

September 4

Ezekiel 23-24
When the prophet’s wife dies, he still goes out and speaks to the people as God commanded.  He is to be an example for Israel, as well as, an example to us.  Throughout his life Ezekiel, along with the other prophets, suffered much.  They were not given a pass on the sorrows of life because they were God’s special messengers.  Yet, they remained faithful, continuing to fulfill the will of God in the presence of God’s people.  Perhaps it was easier because they had received special inspiration from the Holy Spirit, but I don’t really believe that played much of a part in their righteous way of life.  Men and women of God serve Him because they love Him.  They are able to identify with His desire to live among them and enjoy fellowship with them.  God has created mankind for His own special purpose, so that He might share an intimate relationship with them for eternity.  The sorrows of this life are fleeting compared to the joys of eternity with our faithful heavenly Father!

September 3

Ezekiel 21-22
At the end of today’s reading, the Lord says, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.  So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”  We must ask ourselves if we are standing in the gap?  I love my country and have done all I am able to serve her faithfully.  However, in my short lifetime, I have witnessed the moral degradation that has almost completely engulfed the United States of America.  Our society has legalized the senseless slaughter of innocent babies, normalized sexual perversion, promoted vulgarity under the guise of free speech, and denounced sexual purity in marriage in favor of rampant sexual immorality in every facet of life.  How has this happened in such a great nation that was founded on the principles of Christianity?  I fear it is because God has not found many who are willing to stand in the gap, taking on the fiery arrows of those who are promoting this great evil.  Again, I ask, are you willing to stand in the gap?

September 2

Ezekiel 18-20
As I read of the rebellion of Israel I cannot help but compare it to the rebellion of America.  God said, “But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt.”  Our modern world is rebelling against God, not listening to Him; they refuse to turn from their vile speech and pornographic lifestyles, holding on to hedonistic values, while rejecting the wholesome, life-enriching statutes of the Lord.  How long will He put up with it, before He steps in and destroys this once, great nation that was under God?

September 1

Ezekiel 16-17
The Lord speaks of how He brought Israel up from its humble beginnings, of how He made her a queen, lavishing gifts of luxury, making her the most beautiful of all nations, honored by all, looked upon with envy and awe.  Yet, she used her beauty in rebellion to the Lord.  She prostituted herself with the gods of the nations, those that were not really the sovereign Lord.  Instead of being grateful for all that He had done, she scorned His love and mercy, turning away and seeking out other lovers, embracing their ways, while rejecting the ways of Jehovah.  Their unfaithfulness must have cut Him to the quick.  He was heartbroken, because His bride essentially rejected His blessings and honor.  I wonder, is He heartbroken when we Christians reject His teachings, embracing the latest philosophical views and scientific theories?