Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read
slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God,
thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for
you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Proverbs 30:21-23
Proverbs 30:21-23
Understanding to grow in
As the people prepare to return, the gospel Ezra shared with Artaxerxes was that God’s gracious hand is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger against those who forsake him. Because it might suggest he didn’t actually trust this to be true, he was therefore ashamed to ask for protection for the journey and so proclaimed a fast to pray for safety (just as Esther did). God answered. So they return. And after only a three day rest (a shadow maybe of the three days before the resurrection), the work on the temple begins as the various articles were passed to those at the site, the returnees offered burnt offerings in devotion to God, and Artaxerxes’ orders were delivered to his officials. The temple is completed in 516BC. And it's completion should cause us to stop and marvel at what exactly had been achieved. God turned the heart of the most powerful king not only to free this small people group, but use the resources of his empire to provide for them. So God's promise through his prophets to bring his people back and re-establish his temple presence is powerfully fulfilled. Be encouraged then. His promises to us are just as certain. He is already building in and through us, the temple of his church. And he will bring us out of our exile in this world, to a perfect life in the next, for our Ezra is Jesus. He has gone before us to prepare our place (Jn 14v1-4), and he has come back to journey with us by his Holy Spirit! As you read note the joy that would have been felt at the return.
As the people prepare to return, the gospel Ezra shared with Artaxerxes was that God’s gracious hand is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger against those who forsake him. Because it might suggest he didn’t actually trust this to be true, he was therefore ashamed to ask for protection for the journey and so proclaimed a fast to pray for safety (just as Esther did). God answered. So they return. And after only a three day rest (a shadow maybe of the three days before the resurrection), the work on the temple begins as the various articles were passed to those at the site, the returnees offered burnt offerings in devotion to God, and Artaxerxes’ orders were delivered to his officials. The temple is completed in 516BC. And it's completion should cause us to stop and marvel at what exactly had been achieved. God turned the heart of the most powerful king not only to free this small people group, but use the resources of his empire to provide for them. So God's promise through his prophets to bring his people back and re-establish his temple presence is powerfully fulfilled. Be encouraged then. His promises to us are just as certain. He is already building in and through us, the temple of his church. And he will bring us out of our exile in this world, to a perfect life in the next, for our Ezra is Jesus. He has gone before us to prepare our place (Jn 14v1-4), and he has come back to journey with us by his Holy Spirit! As you read note the joy that would have been felt at the return.
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.