Author: Pastor Doug

Our scripture today is Nehemiah 6:16 (NKJV).

And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.

Through Nehemiah’s planning and leadership the wall is finished very quickly – too quickly for it to be just a human achievement. This is a double blessing. God has assisted them by strengthening them and bringing them together to do the work, but also those trying to thwart the work are shown that God is with Nehemiah and the people. God has chosen to work through His people to rebuild their city in the Promised Land. When we work with each other for His purposes, amazing things can be done!

Gracious God, we are ashamed of the times we have gone our own ways instead of the narrow way You have for us. Forgive our selfishness and wash us clean through the sacrifice of Your Son, that we may be productive workers for building Your kingdom. Amen.

Our scripture today is Nehemiah 1:3 (NRSVUE).

They replied, “The remnant there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.”

The activities recorded in Ezra overlap into Nehemiah, continuing the story of the return of God’s people to Jerusalem. Many scholars believe these were originally a single book. Ezra focuses on the spiritual life of the people and the temple, while in Nehemiah we will hear of a rapid rebuilding campaign to protect the growing remnant in Jerusalem. These lessons teach us the need for everyone’s gifts as we work for the good of all His children. 

Gracious God, You call us all into the service of Your kingdom, sharing the Good News with the world. Bless us to be energetic disciples who welcome all as brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture today is Ezra 9:10 (NRSVUE).

And now, our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments.

The remnant that returned with Ezra expressed their repentance and promised to follow God’s law as they begin again in the land He gave them. Much like arriving for the first time, God has specific guidance for them to be able to live in connection with Him and each other. The Second Temple they are building will last until it is destroyed by the Romans. For the time being, the people renew their covenant with the Lord and try to live as He has planned for us.

Heavenly Father, when we are weak in faith, send Your Spirit to refresh us. Remind us of the blessings and responsibilities we have as Your children. Amen.

Our scripture today is Ezra 7:10 (NRSVUE).

For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to do it and to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel.

According to the Christian Study Bible Notes Ezra’s name “is a short form of the common Hebrew name Azariah, meaning Yahweh Has Helped.” This verse outlines the effect God’s word and His presence has had on Ezra as he goes to Jerusalem to help others remember their heritage as the children of God. We have heard previously that Ezra was a scribe, trained in the Law of Moses. He stands as the example of a scribe and teacher God intended. Unfortunately, we hear the scribes of Jesus’ time are unreliable or corrupt teachers who follow their own law. Ezra would be saddened as Jesus was at what the religious leaders had become.

Heavenly Father, thank You for leaders like Ezra who are trained and inspired. Bless us to hear the wisdom You send, and carry it in love to all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture today is Ezra 7:6 (NRSVUE).

This Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses that the LORD the God of Israel had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.

Throughout the history of God’s people there have been dedicated men and women who sought to serve the Lord faithfully. Ezra is sent because of his knowledge as a scribe and his zeal to see Jerusalem and the temple rebuilt. When we think we face hard times, lessons like these remind us that we as a people have been there before. God has never deserted us. Ezra faced a monumental task but “the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.”

Gracious God, thank You for Your presence with us always. Bless us to be strong in our faith, even when we don’t see a way forward, You have a plan for all of us. Amen.

Our scripture today is Ezra 6:3 (NRSVUE).

In the first year of his reign, King Cyrus issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices are offered and burnt offerings are brought; its height shall be sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits.

God now uses the neighboring nation of Persia to assist with the return of the people to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple. There are other countries in the region who oppose this, but the work is only halted for a while. This example shows us again that God sometimes works through unexpected people and in unusual ways to accomplish His purpose. Jesus tells us in Luke 9:50 “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” We need to see that everyone is a child of God just as we are and capable of doing good in His name regardless of location, history or affiliation.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the way we group ourselves and exclude others. Help us to see all Your people as brothers and sisters and go to share Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Ezra 3:11 (NRSVUE).

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the LORD because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.

The Exodus cycle continues as God’s people return to Jerusalem and begin to rebuild the temple. This worship mirrors the return of the Ark to Jerusalem and the dedication of Solomon’s temple earlier in their history. All of this is intended to remind them of their heritage as children of God, and their responsibility to walk in His ways. While there is hope for the future in their return, there is opposition from surrounding nations as there has always been. They will still be challenged as they begin to live in faith again.

Heavenly Father, we know that You rejoice when we return in repentance. Forgive us, and renew Your Spirit in us that we may go to tell the world the Good News of Your salvation. Amen.

Our scripture today is Ezra 1:3 (NRSVUE).

Let any of those among you who are of his people—may their God be with them!—go up to Jerusalem in Judah and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; he is the God who is in Jerusalem.

Ezra documents the return of God’s people to Jerusalem after the exile. It was a slow process but the Lord was with them and gave them guidance and good leaders. Some theologians call this the Exodus journey, the cycle of His people turning away and God allowing them to see the consequences of their actions. This mirrors the eviction from Eden, the Tower of Babel, the Flood and the list goes on. God continues to reach out to us, but we have to be willing to see the mistakes we make and go to Him in repentance.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for our sinful behavior, but grateful for Your love and mercy. Help us to see the needs of the world around us and go in Your name to share the Gospel everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is 2 Chronicles 36:19 (NIV).

They set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there.

The fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple marked the failure of the people in the Promised Land. They had forgotten God who had led them there and given them those blessings. They wanted a king and to be like the other nations around them. Now God lets them be a part of that chaotic world. It is hard to read passages like these, but Jesus teaches us the same lesson in Matthew 5:29 “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Things that lead us into sin need to be cut out of our lives in order to be part of God’s kingdom.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we choose the ways of the world rather than the good gifts You have for us. Forgive us and bless us to go into the world to share Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is 2 Chronicles 7:22 (NIV).

People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why he brought all this disaster on them.’ 

This passage records what the Lord said to Solomon after the dedication of the temple. It is a warning that has been repeated many times in their history. As far back as the Exodus, Moses told them not to forget the Lord when they come to the Promised Land and times are good (Deuteronomy 8:11). As we know, this temple will be destroyed by Babylon as the opening to the exile from the Promised Land. Later Jesus tells His disciples “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down” (Luke 21:6). The second temple would be destroyed by the Romans. Human things are temporary, only God’s love for us is eternal.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we are disobedient, only paying lip service to Your guidance for us. Forgive us and keep us focused on our mission to share Your love with the world. Amen.