Witness to God's Deliverance

God's People Worship
Worshiping in Jerusalem Again
(Nehemiah)

Festival of Booths

Leviticus 23:33-44

The Message

^33-36 God said to Moses: “Tell the People of Israel, God’s Feast of Booths begins on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. It lasts seven days. The first day is a sacred assembly; don’t do any ordinary work. Offer Fire-Gifts to God for seven days. On the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and offer a gift to God. It is a solemn convocation. Don’t do any ordinary work.

^37-38 “These are the appointed feasts of God which you will decree as sacred assemblies for presenting Fire-Gifts to God: the Whole-Burnt-Offerings, Grain-Offerings, sacrifices, and Drink-Offerings assigned to each day. These are in addition to offerings for God’s Sabbaths and also in addition to other gifts connected with whatever you have vowed and all the Freewill-Offerings you give to God.
^39-43 “So, summing up: On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have brought your crops in from your fields, celebrate the Feast of God for seven days. The first day is a complete rest and the eighth day is a complete rest. On the first day, pick the best fruit from the best trees; take fronds of palm trees and branches of leafy trees and from willows by the brook and celebrate in the presence of your God for seven days—yes, for seven full days celebrate it as a festival to God. Every year from now on, celebrate it in the seventh month. Live in booths for seven days—every son and daughter of Israel is to move into booths so that your descendants will know that I made the People of Israel live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am God, your God.”

⁴⁴ Moses posted the calendar for the annual appointed feasts of God which Israel was to celebrate.

For Reflection

Celebrate as in a festival.  Live in a booth erected for the occasion.  Focus on God who through grace has delivered.  Do this in the company of the faithful.  Dedicate free-will offerings. 

How often do we set aside dedicated time to celebrate God?  When was the last time (if ever) you spent a week, or even a weekend, in a spiritual retreat?  When will you? 

Pray

that you will dedicate a time to worship in celebration of Gods power, grace, and bounty.

Celebrating God's Bounty

God's People Worship
Worshiping in Jerusalem Again
(Nehemiah)

Festival of Booths

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

The Message

26 ^1-5 Once you enter the land that God, your God, is giving you as an inheritance and take it over and settle down, you are to take some of all the firstfruits of what you grow in the land that God, your God, is giving you, put them in a basket and go to the place God, your God, sets apart for you to worship him. At that time, go to the priest who is there and say, “I announce to God, your God, today that I have entered the land that God promised our ancestors that he’d give to us.” The priest will take the basket from you and place it on the Altar of God, your God. And there in the Presence of God, your God, you will recite:

^5-10 A wandering Aramean was my father,
he went down to Egypt and sojourned there,
he and just a handful of his brothers at first, but soon
they became a great nation, mighty and many.
The Egyptians abused and battered us,
in a cruel and savage slavery.
We cried out to God, the God-of-Our-Fathers:
He listened to our voice, he saw
our destitution, our trouble, our cruel plight.
And God took us out of Egypt
with his strong hand and long arm, terrible and great,
with signs and miracle-wonders.
And he brought us to this place,
gave us this land flowing with milk and honey.
So here I am. I’ve brought the firstfruits
of what I’ve grown on this ground you gave me, O God.

^10-11 Then place it in the Presence of God, your God. Prostrate yourselves in the Presence of God, your God. And rejoice! Celebrate all the good things that God, your God, has given you and your family; you and the Levite and the foreigner who lives with you.

For Reflection

How often do you reflect on the blessings God has given you?  How often do you thank God for the place which He offers you?  How often do you celebrate in joy the good a God-centered life affords? 

Pray

in the presence of God. Rejoice! Celebrate all the good things that God, your God, has given you and your family; you and all who live in your sphere.

Rhythms of Work and Worship

God's People Worship
Worshiping in Jerusalem Again
(Nehemiah)

Festival of Booths

Exodus 23:12-17

The Message

¹² “Work for six days and rest the seventh so your ox and donkey may rest and your servant and migrant workers may have time to get their needed rest.
¹³ “Listen carefully to everything I tell you. Don’t pay attention to other gods—don’t so much as mention their names.

¹⁴ “Three times a year you are to hold a festival for me.

¹⁵ “Hold the spring Festival of Unraised Bread when you eat unraised bread for seven days at the time set for the month of Abib, as I commanded you. That was the month you came out of Egypt. No one should show up before me empty-handed.
¹⁶ “Hold the summer Festival of Harvest when you bring in the firstfruits of all your work in the fields.
“Hold the autumn Festival of Ingathering at the end of the season when you bring in the year’s crops.
¹⁷ “Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Master, God.

For Reflection

Summer is the time for Festivals.  We celebrate in the theater of life all that is good in what we do.  It is right and fitting that we do so.  It is also right and fitting that we remember the source of all creation.  God fashioned us a creative being so that we can reflect His glory.  It is not a worship of that which we create but of the maker that created us.  Save time in the rhythm of your life for remembering God.  

Pray

for the wisdom to punctuate the rhythm of your life in celebration of God's blessings.  Pray you will appear before the Master, God, in joy, confident in your obedience to His will.

The Gift of a Poor Widow

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Gifts for the Temple

Mark 12:38-44

The Message

^38-40 He continued teaching. “Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance of public flattery, basking in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function. And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they’ll pay for it in the end.” 

For Reflection

This is a story of commitment.  How committed are you to your faith?  How do you measure your commitment?  What do you give that is a sacrifice? 

Pray

that you will give your self to God.  Pray that you, like the widow will give in humility.  Pray that you will offer God in Christian hospitality.

More Important Than Sacrifice

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Gifts for the Temple

Mark 12:28-34

The Message

The Most Important Commandment

²⁸ One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?”

^29-31 Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”
^32-33 The religion scholar said, “A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate—that God is one and there is no other. And loving him with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that’s better than all offerings and sacrifices put together!”
³⁴ When Jesus realized how insightful he was, he said, “You’re almost there, right on the border of God’s kingdom.”
After that, no one else dared ask a question.

For Reflection

Simple, isn't it.  Love God. Love others.  And yet, in practice so complex.  Why is it so?  God has given us the means to be obedient to the love directive, prayer, study, and an abiding faith that in God all outcomes are good. 

Pray

for trust in God.  Pray for courage to wait on the Lord.  Pray for the wisdom to face your daily life in joyful anticipation.

Contributing Tithes and Offerings

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Gifts for the Temple

2 Chronicles 31:2-10

The Message (MSG)

² Hezekiah organized the groups of priests and Levites for their respective tasks, handing out job descriptions for conducting the services of worship: making the various offerings, and making sure that thanks and praise took place wherever and whenever God was worshiped.
³ He also designated his personal contribution for the Whole-Burnt-Offerings for the morning and evening worship, for Sabbaths, for New Moon festivals, and for the special worship days set down in The Revelation of God.
⁴ In addition, he asked the people who lived in Jerusalem to be responsible for providing for the priests and Levites so they, without distraction or concern, could give themselves totally to The Revelation of God.
^5-7 As soon as Hezekiah’s orders had gone out, the Israelites responded generously: firstfruits of the grain harvest, new wine, oil, honey—everything they grew. They didn’t hold back, turning over a tithe of everything. They also brought in a tithe of their cattle, sheep, and anything else they owned that had been dedicated to God. Everything was sorted and piled in mounds. They started doing this in the third month and didn’t finish until the seventh month.
^8-9 When Hezekiah and his leaders came and saw the extent of the mounds of gifts, they praised God and commended God’s people Israel. Hezekiah then consulted the priests and Levites on how to handle the abundance of offerings.
¹⁰ Azariah, chief priest of the family of Zadok, answered, “From the moment of this huge outpouring of gifts to The Temple of God, there has been plenty to eat for everyone with food left over. God has blessed his people—just look at the evidence!”

For Reflection

God's people need a sense of place, a sense of contribution, a sense of belonging, and a sense of worthiness.  The distribution of tasks and the dedication of gifts evidenced the blessings God had given to His people.  How do you respond to God's Gifts. 

Pray

so that you may find an appropriate response to God's grace.  Pray to find a way to offer your self as a living sacrifice to God.

Stirred Hearts and Willing Spirits

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Gifts for the Temple

Exodus 35:20-29

The Message

^20-26 So everyone in the community of Israel left the presence of Moses. Then they came back, every one whose heart was roused, whose spirit was freely responsive, bringing offerings to God for building the Tent of Meeting, furnishing it for worship and making the holy vestments. They came, both men and women, all the willing spirits among them, offering brooches, earrings, rings, necklaces—anything made of gold—offering up their gold jewelry to God. And anyone who had blue, purple, and scarlet fabrics; fine linen; goats’ hair; tanned leather; and dolphin skins brought them. Everyone who wanted to offer up silver or bronze as a gift to God brought it. Everyone who had acacia wood that could be used in the work, brought it. All the women skilled at weaving brought their weavings of blue and purple and scarlet fabrics and their fine linens. And all the women who were gifted in spinning, spun the goats’ hair.
^27-29 The leaders brought onyx and other precious stones for setting in the Ephod and the Breastpiece. They also brought spices and olive oil for lamp oil, anointing oil, and incense. Every man and woman in Israel whose heart moved them freely to bring something for the work that God through Moses had commanded them to make, brought it, a voluntary offering for God.

For Reflection

Stirred by the Holy Spirit and willing to contribute to the work of God, the faithful brought gifts voluntarily in response to just and compassionate God.  What do you bring? 

Pray

that you will give willingly in response to your gratitude for what God has done for you and for what God can do through His people.

A Single Offering for All Time

The Prophet and Praise
Gifts for the Temple

Hebrews 10:1-18

The Message

The Sacrifice of Jesus

10 ^1-10 The old plan was only a hint of the good things in the new plan. Since that old “law plan” wasn’t complete in itself, it couldn’t complete those who followed it. No matter how many sacrifices were offered year after year, they never added up to a complete solution. If they had, the worshipers would have gone merrily on their way, no longer dragged down by their sins. But instead of removing awareness of sin, when those animal sacrifices were repeated over and over they actually heightened awareness and guilt. The plain fact is that bull and goat blood can’t get rid of sin. That is what is meant by this prophecy, put in the mouth of Christ:

You don’t want sacrifices and offerings year after year;
    you’ve prepared a body for me for a sacrifice.
It’s not fragrance and smoke from the altar
    that whet your appetite.
So I said, “I’m here to do it your way, O God,
    the way it’s described in your Book.”

When he said, “You don’t want sacrifices and offerings,” he was referring to practices according to the old plan. When he added, “I’m here to do it your way,” he set aside the first in order to enact the new plan—God’s way—by which we are made fit for God by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.

^11-18 Every priest goes to work at the altar each day, offers the same old sacrifices year in, year out, and never makes a dent in the sin problem. As a priest, Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God and waited for his enemies to cave in. It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process. The Holy Spirit confirms this:

This new plan I’m making with Israel
    isn’t going to be written on paper,
    isn’t going to be chiseled in stone;
This time “I’m writing out the plan in them,
    carving it on the lining of their hearts.”

He concludes,

I’ll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins.

Once sins are taken care of for good, there’s no longer any need to offer sacrifices for them.

For Reflection

The Christ event was a pivotal point in the history of human kind.  The truth was knowable.  Reconciliation to God was offered not only as a birthright into a chosen people, but also, an offer to anyone willing to accept the law in their hearts.  It is a profoundly generous offer from a profoundly generous God.  Salvation was no longer a matter of empty activities but a result of the unmatched love of God for this people.  Salvation; free to those who choose it. 

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving and praise to God whose sacrifice of His son superceeded all sacrifice.  Thank God in obedience to His way.

Studying and Keeping the Law

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Fasting and Praying

Ezra 7:1-10

The Message

Ezra Arrives

7 ^1-5 After all this, Ezra. It was during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia. Ezra was the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the high priest.

^6-7 That’s Ezra. He arrived from Babylon, a scholar well-practiced in the Revelation of Moses that the God of Israel had given. Because God’s hand was on Ezra, the king gave him everything he asked for. Some of the Israelites—priests, Levites, singers, temple security guards, and temple slaves—went with him to Jerusalem. It was in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
^8-10 They arrived at Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king’s reign. Ezra had scheduled their departure from Babylon on the first day of the first month; they arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month under the generous guidance of his God. Ezra had committed himself to studying the Revelation of God, to living it, and to teaching Israel to live its truths and ways.

For Reflection

How can one preserve the faith if one does not know the faith?  Our faith in God and our commitment to live in His Kingdom is at the same time, simple as a child's vision of the world and a complicated as the gray space between good and evil.  The knowledge found in scripture and interpretations by learned scholars is filled with the wisdom of a God-centered life and at the same time empty without a strong faith in the essence of God's grace, justice, and compassion. By grace we are born again into the simplicity and complexity of God's overture of reconciliation and His promise of a righteous life in the hollow of his hand. 

Pray

that you will gain in wisdom and faith by study of scripture and prayer.  Pray that you will examine each new understanding through the eyes of a loving God who is filled with justice, compassion, and forgiveness.

Fasting Directed to God

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Fasting and Praying

Matthew 6:6-18

The Message

⁶ “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
^7-13 “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
    as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
    Yes. Yes. Yes.

^14-15 “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.

^16-18 “When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well.

For Reflection

Every one needs time for recreation and restoration.  Few of us can find alone time in our busy lives.  And yet, to escape our common lives to spend time in our spiritual lives is one key to strengthening our commitment and obedience to God.  Set aside time for you and God and be refreshed by it. 

Pray

that you will often remember God in a quiet place,  Pray prayers of praise, Pray prayers of thanksgiving, Pray prayers of supplication.  Pray prayers of intercession. Pray and sit quietly and wait for God.

Humble and Contrite in Spirit

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Fasting and Praying

Isaiah 66:1-4

The Message

Living Worship to God

66 ^1-2 God’s Message:

“Heaven’s my throne,
    earth is my footstool.
What sort of house could you build for me?
    What holiday spot reserve for me?
I made all this! I own all this!”
    God’s Decree.
“But there is something I’m looking for:
    a person simple and plain,
    reverently responsive to what I say.

^3-4 “Your acts of worship
    are acts of sin:
Your sacrificial slaughter of the ox
    is no different from murdering the neighbor;
Your offerings for worship,
    no different from dumping pig’s blood on the altar;
Your presentation of memorial gifts,
    no different from honoring a no-god idol.
You choose self-serving worship,
    you delight in self-centered worship—disgusting!
Well, I choose to expose your nonsense
    and let you realize your worst fears,
Because when I invited you, you ignored me;
    when I spoke to you, you brushed me off.
You did the very things I exposed as evil,
    you chose what I hate.”

For Reflection

We are human.  This means that we have no hard wired connection to God.  We have over time misinterpreted God's desire for us to be transformed by his grace.  We have perverted our acts of worship.  We have used his presence to enhance our power over people.  We have acted in hate rather than in love.  We have punished rather than offered reconciliation.  We have distorted God for our own desires.

And yet. God forgives us.  He entreats us to accept reconciliation.  He offers justice and compassion in contrast to our need to control through fear.  God is a never failing source of a new life in Him.  Praise be to God. 

Pray

that you will respond to the spirit of God which resides in you.  Pray that you will reject the god made in human image and respond to the human made in God's image.

Beseeching god's Answers to Prayer

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Fasting and Praying

Psalm 69:9-18

The Message

⁹ I love you more than I can say.
Because I’m madly in love with you,
They blame me for everything they dislike about you.

¹⁰ When I poured myself out in prayer and fasting,
All it got me was more contempt.

¹¹ When I put on a sad face,
They treated me like a clown.

¹² Now drunks and gluttons
Make up drinking songs about me.

¹³ And me? I pray.
God, it’s time for a break!

God, answer in love!
Answer with your sure salvation!

¹⁴ Rescue me from the swamp,
Don’t let me go under for good,

Pull me out of the clutch of the enemy;
This whirlpool is sucking me down.

¹⁵ Don’t let the swamp be my grave, the Black Hole
Swallow me, its jaws clenched around me.

¹⁶ Now answer me, God, because you love me;
Let me see your great mercy full-face.

¹⁷ Don’t look the other way; your servant can’t take it.
I’m in trouble. Answer right now!

¹⁸ Come close, God; get me out of here.
Rescue me from this deathtrap.

For Reflection

That's the way it works, you know.  As soon as you begin your transformation into a child of God, those in your old life push to keep you in your old robes.  The pressure can be maddening.  It can suck you back when you are most vulnerable.  Prayer and faith and confidence in God's power to keep you from harm will keep you from being swallowed in the vortex of social pressure.  You have chosen life over death, righteousness over Godlessness.  You are in a better place. Look to your new community of faithful for support and infuse yourself in God's will for your life. 

Pray

that you will seek a new life in God's presence.  Pray for the courage to bolster your transformation into a child of God.  Pray that you will reject the taunts of others and move closer into the loving arms of a compassionate God.

Humbly Calling on God

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Fasting and Praying

2 Chronicles 7:12-18

The Message

^12-18 God appeared to Solomon that very night and said, “I accept your prayer; yes, I have chosen this place as a temple for sacrifice, a house of worship. If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health. From now on I’m alert day and night to the prayers offered at this place. Believe me, I’ve chosen and sanctified this Temple that you have built: My Name is stamped on it forever; my eyes are on it and my heart in it always. As for you, if you live in my presence as your father David lived, pure in heart and action, living the life I’ve set out for you, attentively obedient to my guidance and judgments, then I’ll back your kingly rule over Israel—make it a sure thing on a sure foundation. The same covenant guarantee I gave to David your father I’m giving to you, namely, ‘You can count on always having a descendant on Israel’s throne.’

For Reflection

This is the essence of sacrificing one's self: humbling, praying, seeking God, and turning one's back on one's former life.  God will listen to our prayers when we live in His presence, "pure in heart and action," living the life God has intended for us. 

Pray

in humility.  Pray that you will humble yourself in the presence of the living God.  Pray that you will remain obedient to God's guidance, and judgment. Pray you will live in the presence of God with out fear and confident in his covenant guarantee.

The Temple's Official Endorsement

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Dedication of the Temple

Ezra 6:1-12

The Message (MSG)

6 ^1-3 So King Darius ordered a search through the records in the archives in Babylon. Eventually a scroll was turned up in the fortress of Ecbatana over in the province of Media, with this writing on it:

Memorandum

In his first year as king, Cyrus issued an official decree regarding The Temple of God in Jerusalem, as follows:

^3-5 The Temple where sacrifices are offered is to be rebuilt on new foundations. It is to be ninety feet high and ninety feet wide with three courses of large stones topped with one course of timber. The cost is to be paid from the royal bank. The gold and silver vessels from The Temple of God that Nebuchadnezzar carried to Babylon are to be returned to The Temple at Jerusalem, each to its proper place; place them in The Temple of God.

^6-7 Now listen, Tattenai governor of the land beyond the Euphrates, Shethar-Bozenai, associates, and all officials of that land: Stay out of their way. Leave the governor and leaders of the Jews alone so they can work on that Temple of God as they rebuild it.
^8-10 I hereby give official orders on how you are to help the leaders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that Temple of God:

1. All construction costs are to be paid to these men from the royal bank out of the taxes coming in from the land beyond the Euphrates. And pay them on time, without delays.

2. Whatever is required for their worship—young bulls, rams, and lambs for Whole-Burnt-Offerings to the God-of-Heaven; and whatever wheat, salt, wine, and anointing oil the priests of Jerusalem request—is to be given to them daily without delay so that they may make sacrifices to the God-of-Heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
^11-12 I’ve issued an official decree that anyone who violates this order is to be impaled on a timber torn out of his own house, and the house itself made a manure pit. And may the God who put his Name on that place wipe out any king or people who dares to defy this decree and destroy The Temple of God at Jerusalem.
I, Darius, have issued an official decree. Carry it out precisely and promptly.

For Reflection

Pretty strong words, impaled, manure pit, assassinate any who attempt to inhibit reconstruction!  God has placed the wisdom of justice in the heart of Darius. His decree reflects the magnitude of ire of those who fostered the injustices of discrimination.  Justice is ultimately in the hands of God.  God asks us to foster a sense of a justice and compassion in our culture and in our personal lives. 

Pray

for the wisdom to act on the side of justice and compassion.  Pray for the courage to buck those who foster injustice.  Pray that you will encourage compassionate approaches to solving life's challenges.

Who Gave You a Decree?

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Dedication of the Temple

Ezra 5:6-17

The Message

^6-7 Tattenai, governor of the land beyond the Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and his associates—the officials of that land—sent a letter to Darius the king. This is what they wrote to him:

To Darius the king. Peace and blessing!

⁸ We want to report to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to The Temple of the great God that is being rebuilt with large stones. Timbers are being fitted into the walls; the work is going on with great energy and in good time.

^9-10 We asked the leaders, “Who issued you the permit to rebuild this Temple and restore it to use?” We also asked for their names so we could pass them on to you and have a record of the men at the head of the construction work.
^11-12 This is what they told us: “We are servants of the God of the heavens and the earth. We are rebuilding The Temple that was built a long time ago. A great king of Israel built it, the entire structure. But our ancestors made the God of the heavens really angry and he turned them over to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who knocked this Temple down and took the people to Babylon in exile.
^13-16 “But when Cyrus became king of Babylon, in his first year he issued a building permit to rebuild this Temple of God. He also gave back the gold and silver vessels of The Temple of God that Nebuchadnezzar had carted off and put in the Babylon temple. Cyrus the king removed them from the temple of Babylon and turned them over to Sheshbazzar, the man he had appointed governor. He told him, ‘Take these vessels and place them in The Temple of Jerusalem and rebuild The Temple of God on its original site.’ And Sheshbazzar did it. He laid the foundation of The Temple of God in Jerusalem. It has been under construction ever since but it is not yet finished.”
¹⁷ So now, if it please the king, look up the records in the royal archives in Babylon and see if it is indeed a fact that Cyrus the king issued an official building permit authorizing the rebuilding of The Temple of God in Jerusalem. And then send the king’s ruling on this matter to us.

For Reflection

The endorsement of Cyrus, gives cultural weight to justify the right to rebuild the temple.  But it was not the building permit that provided the decree.  God, and He alone, will decree the construction, demise and reconstruction of the temple.  If it is to be done, God will make it so no matter what men may decide.  We all, like the Jews, are subject to God's grand promise of reconciliation.  Our cathedrals, temples, and churches are visible signs of God's grace. 

Pray

that you will always know that God is in charge.  Pray that you squash any tendency to assign authority to your self.  Pray that you will remember that you are a child of God and a participant in his great plan.  Give your self to God's will in praise, adoration, obedience, and joy.

The Eye of God upon Them

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Dedication of the Temple

Ezra 5:1-5

The Message

The Building Resumed: “Help the Leaders in the Rebuilding”

5 ^1-2 Meanwhile the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo were preaching to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the authority of the God of Israel who ruled them. And so Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak started again, rebuilding The Temple of God in Jerusalem. The prophets of God were right there helping them.

^3-4 Tattenai was governor of the land beyond the Euphrates at this time. Tattenai, Shethar-Bozenai, and their associates came to the Israelites and asked, “Who issued you a permit to rebuild this Temple and restore it to use?” Then we told them the names of the men responsible for this construction work.
⁵ But God had his eye on the leaders of the Jews, and the work wasn’t stopped until a report could reach Darius and an official reply be returned.

For Reflection

The Eye of God is on us as well.  He keeps us from harm when acting in His name.  He guides us.  He comforts us.  He is worthy of the risks we take in His name.  Praise be to God! 

Pray

for the confidence in God's promise.  Pray for unerring courage in the face of risk.  Pray for those who hold fast to God and risk their lives for his sake. 

Accusations of Sedition

 God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Dedication of the Temple

Ezra 4:11-16

The Message

^8-16 Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:

From: Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary, backed by the rest of their associates, the judges and officials over the people from Tripolis, Persia, Erech, and Babylon, Elamites of Susa, and all the others whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the city of Samaria and other places in the land across the Euphrates.

(This is the copy of the letter they sent to him.)

To: King Artaxerxes from your servants from the land across the Euphrates.

We are here to inform the king that the Jews who came from you to us have arrived in Jerusalem and have set about rebuilding that rebellious and evil city. They are busy at work finishing the walls and rebuilding the foundations. The king needs to know that once that city is rebuilt and the wall completed they will no longer pay a penny of tribute, tax, or duty. The royal treasury will feel the loss. We’re loyal to the king and cannot sit idly by while our king is being insulted—that’s why we are passing this information on. We suggest that you look into the court records of your ancestors; you’ll learn from those books that that city is a rebellious city, a thorn in the side to kings and provinces, a historic center of unrest and revolt. That’s why the city was wiped out. We are letting the king know that if that city gets rebuilt and its walls restored, you’ll end up with nothing in your province beyond the Euphrates.

For Reflection

Suppose a group of Islamic adherents began the construction of a mosque in your city.  One would probably see a flurry of letters to the editor and "civic minded" citizens outraged at the possibility.  One might begin to realize how the Pagans in Jerusalem felt at the Jews interference with their culture.

A few years ago a temporary home for troubled teens was announced in a neighborhood.  Letters of outrage flew alleging the drop in property values and, among many other things, the corruption of neighborhood children. Many of the leaders in the anti-project camp who were the most vocal were Christian and even used their faith to bolster their credibility.  Of course, the project was built and the young girls received help they needed in a time of great need.  Property values did not drop and children were not corrupted.

I recommend reading Leonard Pitts' opinion, "A talk with God while waiting in line(sic.)," published in the Roanoke Times, Monday, July 8, 2013.  You can Goggle it or read it on-line at http://www.sacbee.com/2013/07/07/5549895/leonard-pitts-jr-a-talk-with-god.html

Of what are we afraid?  Do we really think that God does not know about these things?  Do we really presume to advise God on matters He is quite capable of handling?

I'm with Pitts.  I would rather hug than hate in the name of God.  I would rather serve, heal and make peace than fight in the name of God. 

Pray

that fear will not override your trust in God. Pray for the courage to offer words and acts of healing rather than feed hate.  Pray for the wisdom to act in love.

Resistance to Rebuilding the Temple

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Temple Restored

Ezra 4:1-5

The Message

The Building Stopped: Cease Rebuilding in That City

4 ^1-2 Old enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building The Temple of the God of Israel. They came to Zerubbabel and the family heads and said, “We’ll help you build. We worship your God the same as you. We’ve been offering sacrifices to him since Esarhaddon king of Assyria brought us here.”

³ Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the family heads of Israel said to them, “Nothing doing. Building The Temple of our God is not the same thing to you as to us. We alone will build for the God of Israel. We’re the ones King Cyrus of Persia commanded to do it.”
^4-5 So these people started beating down the morale of the people of Judah, harassing them as they built. They even hired propagandists to sap their resolve. They kept this up for about fifteen years, throughout the lifetime of Cyrus king of Persia and on into the reign of Darius king of Persia.

For Reflection

The exiles returned to the home of their fathers only to find that they were not welcomed by those whose way of life was to be interrupted and whose superstitions questioned.  The temple was an outward sign of their commitment to God and an affront to the the residents.  To top it off, the exiles had the permission of the rulers and even used Persian resources to construct the temple.

The temple was the heart of the Jew's sacrificial system. Reestablishing the temple was paramount to reestablishing the  presence of and allegiance to their God. 

Pray

that you will reestablish the presence of your God each day. Pray for the Christian people who now fight to reestablish or maintain their faith in the face of oppression and active non-Christian resistance.

Lead Me in Your Righteousness

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Temple Restored

Psalm 5

The Message

A David Psalm

5 ^1-3 Listen, God! Please, pay attention!
Can you make sense of these ramblings,
my groans and cries?
    King-God, I need your help.
Every morning
    you’ll hear me at it again.
Every morning
    I lay out the pieces of my life
    on your altar
    and watch for fire to descend.

^4-6 You don’t socialize with Wicked,
    or invite Evil over as your houseguest.
Hot-Air-Boaster collapses in front of you;
    you shake your head over Mischief-Maker.
God destroys Lie-Speaker;
    Blood-Thirsty and Truth-Bender disgust you.

^7-8 And here I am, your invited guest—
    it’s incredible!
I enter your house; here I am,
    prostrate in your inner sanctum,
Waiting for directions
    to get me safely through enemy lines.

^9-10 Every word they speak is a land mine;
    their lungs breathe out poison gas.
Their throats are gaping graves,
    their tongues slick as mudslides.
Pile on the guilt, God!
    Let their so-called wisdom wreck them.
Kick them out! They’ve had their chance.

^11-12 But you’ll welcome us with open arms
    when we run for cover to you.
Let the party last all night!
    Stand guard over our celebration.
You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers,
    for decking us out in delight.

For Reflection

David sees God as an ultimate moral being.  For a human to emulate God's morality, is the greatest form of praise we can offer.

David, also, has traits worth copying.  He lives his life waiting on the Lord's command.  He lusts after the word of God.  David knows and acts on his knowledge that God will reveal the truth from the falsehood, the evil from the good.  David is genuinely awed by God' invitation to join Him in His house. 

Celebrate, like David, God's guiding, nurturing, comforting and abiding friendship.  Party in joyous celebration of God's glory.

Pray

that you will never forget that God is in charge.  Pray that you will praise God at every opportunity.  Pray prayers of thanksgiving

Make a Joyful Noise to God

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Temple Restored

Psalm 66:1-12

The Message

66 ^1-4 All together now—applause for God!
    Sing songs to the tune of his glory,
    set glory to the rhythms of his praise.
Say of God, “We’ve never seen anything like him!”
    When your enemies see you in action,
    they slink off like scolded dogs.
The whole earth falls to its knees—
    it worships you, sings to you,
    can’t stop enjoying your name and fame.

^5-6 Take a good look at God’s wonders—
    they’ll take your breath away.
He converted sea to dry land;
    travelers crossed the river on foot.
    Now isn’t that cause for a song?

⁷ Ever sovereign in his high tower, he keeps
    his eye on the godless nations.
Rebels don’t dare
    raise a finger against him.

^8-12 Bless our God, O peoples!
    Give him a thunderous welcome!
Didn’t he set us on the road to life?
    Didn’t he keep us out of the ditch?
He trained us first,
    passed us like silver through refining fires,
Brought us into hardscrabble country,
    pushed us to our very limit,
Road-tested us inside and out,
    took us to hell and back;
Finally he brought us
    to this well-watered place.

For Reflection

Think of your favorite hymn. Hum it. Find a copy of it on-line and sing it;  If you think you can't sing, do it anyway!  God doesn't care if you can sing, He just enjoys hearing your joyful noise in praise of Him. 

Pray

prayers of praise.  Remember all of the things God has done for you and tell him how wonderful you think he is.  Pray prayers of thanksgiving for asking you to sacrifice for His Kingdom.

A House of Prayer

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Temple Restored

Matthew 21:10-16

The Message

¹⁰ As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, “What’s going on here? Who is this?”
¹¹ The parade crowd answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee.”

He Kicked Over the Tables

^12-14 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:

My house was designated a house of prayer;
You have made it a hangout for thieves.

Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.

^15-16 When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, “Hosanna to David’s Son!” they were up in arms and took him to task. “Do you hear what these children are saying?”
Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them. And haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children and babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?”

For Reflection

What happens when you "kick over the tables?"  Most of the time, those who buck the current of common understanding suffer humiliation and loss of credibility at the least.  Are you ready to drive against the grain of common knowledge in favor of God-centered knowledge? 

Pray

That you will lead a God-centered life at any and all costs.

My Name Shall Be There

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Temple Restored

1 Kings 8:22-32

The Message

^22-25 Before the entire congregation of Israel, Solomon took a position before the Altar, spread his hands out before heaven, and prayed,

O God, God of Israel, there is no God like you in the skies above or on the earth below who unswervingly keeps covenant with his servants and relentlessly loves them as they sincerely live in obedience to your way. You kept your word to David my father, your personal word. You did exactly what you promised—every detail. The proof is before us today!

Keep it up, God, O God of Israel! Continue to keep the promises you made to David my father when you said, “You’ll always have a descendant to represent my rule on Israel’s throne, on the condition that your sons are as careful to live obediently in my presence as you have.”

²⁶ O God of Israel, let this all happen;
    confirm and establish it!

^27-32 Can it be that God will actually move into our neighborhood? Why, the cosmos itself isn’t large enough to give you breathing room, let alone this Temple I’ve built. Even so, I’m bold to ask: Pay attention to these my prayers, both intercessory and personal, O God, my God. Listen to my prayers, energetic and devout, that I’m setting before you right now. Keep your eyes open to this Temple night and day, this place of which you said, “My Name will be honored there,” and listen to the prayers that I pray at this place.

Listen from your home in heaven and when you hear, forgive.

When someone hurts a neighbor and promises to make things right, and then comes and repeats the promise before your Altar in this Temple, listen from heaven and act accordingly: Judge your servants, making the offender pay for his offense and setting the offended free of any charges.

For Reflection

God lives in our neighborhoods!   He is the butcher, the baker and electrical engineer.  He is the housewife and her child.  He is the pastor and the local bartender.  He is the doctor and the carpenter.  He is the environmental scientist and the garbage collector.  He lives in all of us. 

He uses us to make things right.  He is true to His word.  He promises and follows through.  He sets us free to act with him, freeing us from worldly influences.  Praise be to God!  Yes!

Pray

prayer of praise for the wonder that is God.  Pray prayers of thanksgiving for saving you from yourself.  Pray often and pray deeply.

A Great and Wonderful House

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Temple Restored

2 Chronicles 2:1-10

The Message

The Temple Construction Begins

2 Solomon gave orders to begin construction on the house of worship in honor of God and a palace for himself.

² Solomon assigned seventy thousand common laborers, eighty thousand to work the quarries in the mountains, and thirty-six hundred foremen to manage the workforce.
^3-4 Then Solomon sent this message to King Hiram of Tyre: “Send me cedar logs, the same kind you sent David my father for building his palace. I’m about to build a house of worship in honor of God, a holy place for burning perfumed incense, for setting out holy bread, for making Whole-Burnt-Offerings at morning and evening worship, and for Sabbath, New Moon, and Holy Day services of worship—the acts of worship required of Israel.
^5-10 “The house I am building has to be the best, for our God is the best, far better than competing gods. But who is capable of building such a structure? Why, the skies—the entire cosmos!—can’t begin to contain him. And me, who am I to think I can build a house adequate for God—burning incense to him is about all I’m good for! I need your help: Send me a master artisan in gold, silver, bronze, iron, textiles of purple, crimson, and violet, and who knows the craft of engraving; he will supervise the trained craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem that my father provided. Also send cedar, cypress, and algum logs from Lebanon; I know you have lumberjacks experienced in the Lebanon forests. I’ll send workers to join your crews to cut plenty of timber—I’m going to need a lot, for this house I’m building is going to be absolutely stunning—a showcase temple! I’ll provide all the food necessary for your crew of lumberjacks and loggers: 130,000 bushels of wheat, 120,000 gallons of wine, and 120,000 gallons of olive oil.”

For Reflection

The people of God can worship anywhere.  If so why build a a church?  Doesn't it seem that putting such vast resources into the construction and maintenance of a building poor stewardship? Perhaps to some, but not these returning exiles.  Building a temple was a sign of the restorative power and compassion of God.  

A dug out hillside at a campground worship area, a store front in a strip mall, a small one-room country church, and a cathedral each punctuate the land with visible signs of God's presence in His people. A church of any size constructed with the best material that can be offered is a form of praise for the God who is above all Gods.  Building and rebuilding again is a sign that God cannot be destroyed.  No matter what catastrophes be fall us God will restore us. 

Pray

prayers of praise.  Pray to reflect on the power of God.  Praise God often.  Pray so that your every thought and deed is a reflection of God's restorative power.