Dear
God, we are so incredibly in need of your power and your strength. We ask that
you would fill us with your Spirit of love and unity among believers all around
our world. We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the
greater cause, the cause of Christ. Please help us to truly live out a life of
love. We know that this is only possible through the power of your Spirit, so
we ask that you would move across our land in miraculous ways, with fresh
filling and awareness, turning your people back to you, drawing others to come
to know you.
We need your unity and your love to stir our hearts and give direction to our days. We need your wisdom to guide us, we need your Spirit to lead us, to live out godly lives that would bring honor first to you. We thank you that you are always with us; and give us great purpose and hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
2024-Heart
Dive 365 - 365 Days through the Bible
in one year with Kanoe Gibson
An
enriching journey through the Bible, meticulously
studying each chapter and unraveling its
profound wisdom. Extensive notes, insights,
and reflections for every chapter.
2024
Reading Plan, Heart Dive 365 with Kanoe
Gibson. PDF
link
In
Ezekiel chapter 18, the Lord sends a message
through Ezekiel, questioning the people
about a common proverb that complains of
younger generations paying for the sins
of the older. The Lord reminds us that all
are under His care and watchful eye, and
if any escape certain judgments, it is by
His grace and mercy alone.
The
character of a righteous person is described.
The Lord lays out the framework to bear
the guilt and consequences of sin between
a wicked son and a righteous father and
the righteous son with a wicked father.The
Lord declares that each bears the consequences
of their own sins and, in His justice, will
reap according to their own deeds.
The
Lord declares His righteous judgment over
all and proclaims to the people there is
no security in the name of Israel. Their
ancestry is not enough to save them from
His wrath.
In
Ezekiel chapter 19, the Lord calls Ezekiel
to lament over two kings of Israel and describes
their fates to come. Ezekiel recalls Jerusalem's
glory and her blessings among the nations
and laments what she has become as she bears
God's wrath.
In
Ezekiel chapter 20, the Lord recalls the
history of the children of Israel and His
continued mercy He has bestowed upon them
throughout their generations despite their
rebellious ways. He remembers holding o£
His anger until He could no longer tolerate
the wickedness in their generations.
The
Lord promises to purge the evil from His
people and bring a new restoration covenant
to a future generation. The Lord speaks
a word to Ezekiel to challenge the people
to whom they will serve today: Yahweh or
their false idols. Judgment is at their
door and Judah will soon be scattered among
the nations, but the Lord promises a day
when He will be glorified before the Gentiles,
and all will know Yahweh when He brings
His people out from the nations.
PERSONAL
ACCOUNTABILITY | Ezekiel 18:1-18
The
people of Israel were quick to deny responsibility
for their su£ering, insisting that
they had done nothing wrong. They failed
to acknowledge the sin in their hearts and
the consequences of their actions. This
same mindset can be seen today, where many
blame external factors or other people for
their struggles without recognizing their
role in the situation.
In
the New Testament, Jesus addressed this
kind of thinking when His disciples asked
about a man born blind. They wondered if
his blindness was due to his sin or the
sin of his parents, refiecting a belief
in generational curses. This belief was
deeply ingrained, yet Jesus corrected them,
teaching that not all su£ering is
due to personal or ancestral sin.
Ezekiel's
message challenges the Israelites—and us—to
break free from the idea of generational
curses. We are each individually responsible
for our actions. For example, just because
a father struggles with alcoholism doesn't
mean his children are doomed to the same
fate. One can choose a di£erent path,
rejecting the idea that they must su£er
for their parents' sins.
God
is clear: He judges each person for their
actions. The Israelites needed to stop hiding
behind the proverb that blamed their ancestors
and instead take responsibility for their
idolatry and unrepentant hearts. Heart
Check.
Are
you ready to take personal accountability
for your actions in your life?
RIGHTEOUSNESS
| Ezekiel 18:25-29
Put
righteousness into practice over lip service!
Righteousness is more than just words—it's
evident in the way we live our lives. God
is making it clear that His ways are just,
while the ways of the people were corrupt
and wicked. Simply talking about righteousness
is no longer enough; it must be practiced
and visible in our actions.
In
today's world, we must ask ourselves: Are
we truly practicing righteousness? When
people look at our lives, can they see the
righteousness that comes from our salvation
in Jesus Christ? If we are living for Jesus,
that righteousness should be evident, drawing
others to ask about the light they see in
us.
It's
important to note that this passage isn't
addressing whether one can lose their salvation—that's
a deep theological discussion for another
time. Instead, this is about living a life
that refiects the righteousness imputed
to us through Christ. Heart Check.
Do
you believe God's ways are just, and are
you living out that belief in your life?
HEART
POSTURE | Ezekiel 19:1-2
The
elders of Israel came to inquire of the
Lord, but God saw right through their intentions.
He said, "Is it really to inquire of
Me that you come?" God, who knows the
hearts of all, declared that He would no
longer answer their inquiries because their
motives were impure and their hearts were
far from Him.
When
we approach God, we must examine our own
hearts. If you've ever felt that God is
not answering your prayers, it might be
time for a heart check. God is saying here
that He will not respond to those whose
hearts are not right with Him. It's not
enough to simply ask; the posture of our
hearts matters deeply. Heart Check:
When
you go to the Lord, is your hearts posture
aligned with His will, or is it driven by
personal gain?
SABBATH
| Ezekiel 20:17-20
The
Sabbath was more than just a day of rest;
it was a special, ceremonial day established
by God to remind the Israelites of their
covenant relationship with Him. This wasn’t
just any day—they were the chosen people,
set apart by God, and the Sabbath was a
unique sign of that covenant.
In
today’s world, the Sabbath might seem less
significant, but it’s still a vital practice
that connects us to the heart of our relationship
with God. It’s a time to pause, refiect,
and remember our commitment to Him. Heart
Check:
Are
you dedicating a weekly Sabbath to truly
rest in the Lord and honor your covenat
with Him?
SECRET
UNFAITHFULNESS | Ezekiel 20
The
Lord knows our hearts, including the secret
unfaithfulness we might harbor.
He
understands what tempts us and allows those
temptations to test us—but never beyond
what we can bear. However, the enemy also
knows our weaknesses and places stumbling
blocks in our path, hoping to make us fail,
just as he did with Adam and Eve in the
Garden of Eden. The sin nature is always
there, tempting us with what we can see
and desire. Heart Check:
Is
there a hidden unfaithfulness in your heart
that you need to address before the Lord?
SOCIALLY
ACCEPTABLE IDOLS | Ezekiel 20:32
What
are we allowing to become idols in our lives?
Maybe it’s Sunday football games that take
priority over going to church, or Wednesday
night activities that keep us from Bible
study. Even our quiet time with the Lord
can be overshadowed by things like a trip
to the gym or binge-watching Netfiix. Whether
it’s sports, career achievements, or the
desire to please everyone, these can all
become idols if they take precedence over
our relationship with God.
At
the end of our lives, we’ll be held accountable
for how we spent our time. What do you want
your legacy to be? Do you want to be remembered
for your accolades and achievements, or
for your deep relationship with God? Will
your tombstone boast of worldly successes,
or will it refiect a life loved by God and
known by Him? Heart Check:
Are
you allowing socially acceptable activities
to defile your relationship with God, or
are you being sanctified in your walk with
Him?
PLEASING
AROMA | Ezekiel 20:41
Here,
He will accept their contributions, their
chosen gifts, and all their sacred o£erings.
When these o£erings are given from
lives that are pure and godly, they rise
to Him as a pleasing aroma. This refiects
God's desire for wholehearted worship—He
wants not just our o£erings but our
very souls and bodies to be devoted to Him.
A heart check is necessary here:
Is
the life you offer to God a pleasing aroma,
or is it an ordor?
Deep
Dive
How
does the principle of individual responsibility
in Ezekiel 18 challenge you to take ownership
of your actions today?
How
does God’s fairness in chapter 18 change
how you view justice, especially when facing
di£iculties?
What
can you learn from Judah’s kings about the
dangers of relying on your strength instead
of trusting in God?
How
does idolatry appear in your life today,
and what steps can you take to remove those
distractions from your walk with God?
How
does God’s repeated patience in Ezekiel
20 a£ect your understanding of His
mercy and judgment?
What
can you do to remain faithful to God, even
when surrounded by a culture that often
rejects Him?
Heavenly
Father, We come before You with reverence
and awe, acknowledging Your sovereignty
over everything.
Your
Word reminds us of Your justice, Your mercy,
and the deep love You have for each of us.
In Ezekiel, You call us to personal responsibility,
teaching us that we are accountable for
our actions. We confess that at times we
have sought to blame others for our shortcomings
or relied on the righteousness of those
around us, rather than standing firm in
our own faith. Help us, Lord, to examine
our hearts and to take full responsibility
for our walk with You. Guide us to live
in a way that honors You, fully aware that
our actions carry eternal significance.
Lord,
we recognize the danger of misplaced trust,
just as the kings of Judah did when they
relied on their own strength and were led
to ruin. We ask for the humility to recognize
when we lean on our own understanding instead
of trusting in You. Teach us to place our
confidence in Your power, not in our abilities,
resources, or the things of this world.
Remove any pride or self-reliance that might
lead us away from Your will. May we seek
Your guidance in all things, understanding
that true strength comes from complete dependence
on You.
Father,
we also see in Your Word the tragic consequences
of idolatry, as the elders of Israel turned
their hearts away from You and sought answers
from false gods. Help us recognize the idols
in our lives—those that compete for our
devotion and distract us from You. Whether
it is material possessions, status, relationships,
or even our ambitions, we lay them down
at Your feet today. Purify our hearts, Lord,
and draw us closer to You, that we may worship
You alone. May our lives refiect a wholehearted
commitment to You, free from the entanglements
of modern idolatry.
Lord,
we are humbled by the reminder of Your patience
and the hope You o£er to the faithful
remnant. Despite the rebellion of Israel,
You always kept a remnant, a people set
apart for Your purposes. We pray that we
too, would be counted among the faithful,
steadfast in our commitment to You, even
in a world that often rejects Your truth.
Strengthen our resolve to follow You, no
matter the cost, and grant us the grace
to persevere in faith. May we shine as lights
in the darkness, bearing witness to Your
goodness and bringing glory to Your name.
In
Ezekiel chapter 21, the sword of the Lord
against Jerusalem is prophesied to be so
immense against the children of Israel,
and all the wicked surrounding nations will
be in horror and know only Yahweh could
have called this judgment upon His people.
Yahweh proclaims He is giving their enemies
the power to defeat them, and on the final
third blow, His consuming wrath on them
will be complete.
Nebuchadnezzar
is prophesied to consult his gods about
whether to attack the Ammonites or head
towards Jerusalem. He will be instructed
to attack Jerusalem, and Yahweh will ensure
that is the course he follows.
Yahweh
also proclaims that Babylon will also come
against the Ammonites in judgment. He warns
them not to be comforted when they witness
the destruction of Jerusalem at the hand
of the Babylonians, for their time is also
coming when He will see them judged for
their rebellion against Him and participation
in the brutal battle against His people.
In
Ezekiel chapter 22, Yahweh calls out Jerusalem's
blood guilt. Injustice runs rampant throughout
the city of Jerusalem, and violence and
bloodshed follow as the people chase their
desires and will. Her priests no longer
enforce the word of the Lord, and they join
in with their mocking of the prophets whom
the Lord has sent for correction.
The
Lord declares the specifics of the sins
and wicked acts of the people. He names
all of the sins of Jerusalem from the priests
of the Lord, her false prophets, cruel leadership,
and the individual citizen. The Lord proclaims
no one is worthy to be an intercessor for
the people against His righteous judgment.
In
Ezekiel chapter 23, the Lord confronts the
idolatry seen in the city of Jerusalem.
He presents a symbolic illustration of two
sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, to Ezekiel
as a representation of the kingdoms of Israel
and Judah and their sisterhood.
The
older sister is punished for her wickedness,
and although Oholibah saw the judgment that
came upon her sister, she did not turn from
her ways and even increased her wickedness.
The Lord declares how Oholibah, symbolic
Jerusalem, will now drink the cup of His
wrath for her part in adulterous ways against
the Lord God.
In
Ezekiel chapter 24, the Lord commands Ezekiel
to write down the exact date Jerusalem will
see her destruction as a memorial and testament
to the people that He alone brought the
calamity upon them in His might.
Woes
are declared upon the beautiful city of
Jerusalem. Jerusalem is described as simmering
in their suffering instead of being graced
with a quick death, as the Lord pays His
people back, or their violent and unjust
mistreatment of their fellow brothers and
sisters. The Lord is unwavering in the finality
of His judgment upon the people as His patience
has ended.
The
death of Ezekiel's wife is spoken and comes
to pass. The Lord uses her death to illustrate
the future inability of the people of Jerusalem
to mourn their people and their great city
in their shock of the catastrophes to come.
SUPERSTITION
| Ezekiel 21:21
Here,
we see three types of divination that Nebuchadnezzar
would use.
Shaking
of the arrows was similar to throwing dice
or drawing straws. They would grab several
arrows and shake them down until “the gods”
determined the one arrow to be used. Another
method was consulting their household gods
or teraphim, and lastly, they would use
a more “scientific” approach in studying
newly slaughtered sheep liver. The di£erent
colors and the edges of the cuts in the
liver would show other signs. The reality
is this was all superstition. There was
no real guidance here.
Sometimes,
we don’t realize how we can innocently do
this, whether reading your horoscope “for
fun” or being superstitious. In fact, yesterday,
at my son’s jiu-jitsu tournament, I caught
myself in this frame of mind. Right before
his third and final match, I wanted to go
talk to him and pray with him, but I thought
to myself, “Oh no, but I didn’t do that
on the last two, and he won those, so I
don’t want to jinx it.”
It
was an innocent thought in the worldly sense,
but the Holy Spirit grabbed hold of my heart,
and needless to say, I marched over there
and prayed over my son with my husband.
Sometimes,
we do this because we think certain things
are “a sign” or the universe is trying to
say something. That kind of thinking is
the thought process that would lead right
into the occult. In our minds, it is putting
the power into the hands of something else
that God ultimately has. Even if the outcome
lines up with God’s favorable answer, it
is not acceptable in His eyes. Heart Check.
Do
you ever find yourself being suoerstitious
or giving power to something other than
the Lord?
REFINED
| Ezekiel 22:17-22
The
burning being spoken of here is literal,
as Babylon will set the city on fire in
its final blow. While it may be dreadful
to read, we have to remember, just as it
says here, that there was purifying and
refining that would happen in the fire.
The purpose was not to destroy but to separate
the dross or impurities so that what’s left
is stronger and purer.
Every
trial we go through is an opportunity to
be refined. I bet you can look back on every
storm you went through and identify something
that needed to change (the dross) and something
that did or could’ve changed for the better
(the pure metal).
But
if we don’t remove the dross when it rises
to the surface, it will harden again around
our hearts and create a callous. We will
no longer be moldable, teachable, or even
loveable because the negativity will create
bitterness, and we will bite at people when
they try to love us.
I
used to be this way—I was so insecure growing
up. I had a fear of rejection, which stemmed
from my childhood, so I would hurt people
before they could hurt me. As the saying
goes, hurt people hurt people. Sometimes,
this dross will try to make its way back
into my heart, but the Holy Spirit will
bring to memory the burn of the Refiner’s
fire, and I am able to remove it before
it takes root. Heart Check.
Is
there any dross that has hardened arouns
your heart? When you go through burning
trails, do you come out more refined?
STANDING
IN THE GAP | Ezekiel 22:30-31
If
we blink, we will miss the heartbeat of
God and how He searches for the righteous
among the wicked. It reminds me of how Abraham
pleaded on behalf of Sodom, and the Lord
promised to spare the city if He found even
ten righteous.
But
sadly, here he finds none. No prophets,
priests, or politicians were standing in
the gaps as they should’ve been doing. Their
whole purpose was to provide strength, security,
and stability for the people, but they were
instead exposing the breaches in the walls.
We see this type of failure today.
Those
who are supposed to serve the people are
instead seeking power of prominence for
themselves, and the people are left to fend
for themselves. But we, as Christians, have
a huge role in standing in that gap. Even
if the government fails us or we see a pastor
fall, we cannot give up. There is always
a need that can be met and prayer that can
be prayed. Heart Check.
How
are you standing in the gap? Are you doing
something to help build up your community?
Or are you only complaning about breaches?
EXAMPLE
| Ezekiel 24:19-24
God
is showing His divine purpose in the death
of Ezekiel’s wife. His tragedy would serve
as an example for the people. Can you imagine
being in his position.
Most
people go into ministry thinking about the
benefits and don’t consider the possible
struggles. This is why about one out of
every three people quit ministry once they
start.
But
true servants will submit their lives fully
to God's glory, even if that means dealing
with some hardship. Heart Check.
Do
you say yes to God if you see the benefits?
Are you still committed if that means your
suffering may be an example to others?
Deep
Dive
What
was the symbolism of the sword? What is
the significance of it being pointed at
Israel and the surrounding nations?
Do
you see the foreshadowing of Christ in this
prophecy?
How
can we reconcile the God of wrath and the
God of love?
What
specific sins are mentioned and how are
they looked at today in society? How does
God feel about them? Did the coming of Jesus
change anything?
Where
do we see failure in leadership today? How
should we respond?
Even
when we have failed to uphold justice or
righteousness, you have so mercifully given
us grace anyway and you continue to pursue
us. When we read these chapters, not a whole
lot has changed in our own society. We see
the same individual and systemic sin, and
we see leadership failing its people. But
it’s simply because we are all imperfect
beings. There is not one who is righteous
apart from you. So we thank you for the
blood of Jesus that covers us when we fall.
Each
one of us has the ability to make a difference
where we’re at. There are gaps all around
us that are in need of repair. I pray that
you will help us to identify them and show
us what we can do to help strengthen and
stabilize our walls. Give us the tools to
build and the prayers to pray.
But
let us start with our own self-examination.
We know there is always room for improvement.
There is always some sort of dross that
needs to be removed. I pray that you will
help us to identify it so that there isn’t
a burn that needs to happen in order to
bring it to the surface. But should we walk
through fire, we know that you are with
us in it. We know that we will come out
stronger and more pure if we will stay close
to you.
We
pray for all leaders, in our communities,
in our churches, and even on the world stage.
We pray for greater accountability in their
lives so that they will maintain their moral
and spiritual integrity. Help them to see
the privilege of their role and never lose
their servant heart. Give them wisdom and
compassion. May their eyes be open to the
issues at hand and may they come together
in unity to solve them. We pray that there
will be a healthy fear of God within them
so that they will lead with a good moral
foundation. I pray they will desire to maintain
a righteous society.
As
we are brought back to the unfaithfulness
of Jerusalem and the consequences they faced
because of it, we still see the underlying
hope of the call back to faithfulness. They
were the example for us to know and understand
your demand for holiness, so I pray that
we will heed every warning that we receive
in our spirit so that we do not become a
byword for others.
But
whatever your divine plan for our lives
is, we submit fully to it, knowing that
you will walk with us through whatever trial
we may face. We will see your goodness and
we will acknowledge it. May we remain steadfast
in our faith and unwavering in our commitment
to you. Help us to resist any distractions
that might lead us off course.
So
let your plans prevail today as we surrender
to your sovereignty. Keep us focused on
what you’ve called us to do, and help us
to fight against any discouragement or weariness.
Joy comes in the morning, and we have an
eternity of mornings to look forward to.
In
Ezekiel chapter 25, the Lord commissions
Ezekiel to proclaim judgment upon the Ammonites.
They rejoiced and profited from the su£ering
of victims and praised the conquering army
when they defeated and exiled the kingdom
of Israel and desecrated the Temple of the
Lord. Their hearts will remain hardened
and are prophesied to do the same when Jerusalem
and the kingdom of Judah come under the
same judgment. The Lord has promised to
repay their callous hearts when He brings
su£ering upon them and to complete
desolation.
Similar
judgments are pronounced upon the nations
of Moab, Edom, and the Philistines for their
hardheartedness towards Yahweh and His people.
In
Ezekiel chapter 26, the great seaport of
Tyre has a judgment from the Lord proclaimed
upon them. They have profited from the destruction
and exile of the children of Israel, and
the Lord will see them repaid for their
callousness towards Yahweh and the people
of God.
Prophecy
of King Nebuchadnezzar conquering Tyre and
future waves of armies bringing complete
desolation to this grand and vital seaport.
The desolation is so immense that the nations
who witness it will lament the loss.
In
Ezekiel chapter 27, a lamentation of the
coming prophecy to befall Tyre, mentioned
in the previous chapter, describes her destiny.
Tyre
is metaphorically described as a grand and
beautiful ship, as one might see at her
port, bringing in merchants from distant
lands. The Lord proclaims that this ship
will one day be shipwrecked, and all her
glorious riches and prominent population
will be nothing but a byword.
Sailors
will stand aghast and in horror at the once
bustling port that has now been brought
to complete ruin. She will be a desolate
land, and all the nations will mourn her
collapse.
OLD
RESENTMENTS | Ezekiel 25:15-17
The
problem with the Philistines is that they
had old resentment and were, therefore,
constantly warring against Israel because
of it.
Part
of the problem is that Israel failed to
drive them out of the land ultimately, so
they were allowing the enemy to linger in
the crevices, and they were a thorn in Israel’s
side.
This
will happen when we allow resentment to
hang out in us. Whether it’s something someone
said or something they did, if we continue
to carry that baggage with us everywhere
we go, we’re going to be bag ladies, hurting
our backs as we drag our bags around.
Many
times, resentment hurts us more than it
does the person we’re resenting, and it
isn’t worth it.
Heart
Check.
Do
you have any old resentments hanging out
in your bags?
Deep
Dive
How
do God’s sovereignty and divine justice
play a role in these chapters?
What
are the consequences of rejoicing over the
misfortune of others? Is there ever a time
when it’s okay? How does God respond?
How
does Jesus’ teaching on revenge or reaction
to wrongful treatment compare?
What
about Tyre grieved the heart of God?
How
do opportunism and wealth drive modern-day
striving for power?
What
does the destruction of Tyre say about worldly
power, wealth, and glory?
Heavenly
Father, We continue to put our trust in
you today.
Thank
you for the constant reminder that you are
in control of every circumstance and that
you see everything. There is nothing that
fails to reach your throne of justice, so
I pray that we will be carriers of your
grace and mercy when others wrong us. We
know that you will deal with them, and we
don’t say that in a vengeful way. We say
so with sorrow, for it breaks your heart
that they have chosen to hurt your people.
As much as it may pain us to say it, we
pray that you will bless them. Turn their
hearts to you so that they cannot hurt anyone
else. We may have borne the brunt of their
lashing out, and we do not wish that upon
anyone else.
And
if we are carrying around bags of hurt or
resentment, please help us to allow you
to pick up the broken pieces of our hearts
and bind them together again into a greater
masterpiece. We don’t want to carry around
unnecessary baggage, bearing the expense
of hurt backs while others dance freely.
We want to be free to run without that extra
weight of bitterness, anger, sadness, or
vengeance.
Please
show us how to respond to injustice. We
know that you told us to turn the other
cheek, so please help us to reconcile that
with our human instinct to protect ourselves
and our families. Please put a shield around
our hearts and minds so that we don’t feel
the need to take matters into our own hands.
Give us wisdom.
Protect
us from the enemy. Keep us firmly planted
so that we do not waver when the seas begin
to roar.
Help
us to learn from the fall of these nations.
We see how nothing is sure on this earth—no
amount of wealth, prosperity, success, glory,
or power can stand against you. It’s all
temporary, and it can be taken at any moment.
But humility, righteousness, and obedience
are everlasting. May we never become greedy
or arrogant in any way, should we be blessed
beyond measure. May our hearts always be
fixed on you as we see the blessings in
our lives as a means to bless others. I
pray against greed and opportunism, and
I ask that you keep us humble, even if we
do succeed in the eyes of the world. It
isn’t a bad thing, but the way we handle
it is the true test. We pray these things
both individually and for our communities
and nations.
Thank
you for every blessing that you send our
way. We acknowledge you of the giver of
all good things. I pray that we never lose
sight of this, especially when we do experience
moments of success of achievement. May we
always give the glory back to you and see
it as an opportunity for continued growth
and character development. Should we sail
through this life on a beautiful ship, I
pray that it’s grandeur and beauty never
fails to display your glory. It is our heart’s
desire to always bless you with everything
in us and around us.
In
Ezekiel chapter 28, the king of Tyre, while
a physical human being, also refiects the
character and nature of Satan himself. The
king is full of pride, trusting his riches
to give him all the desires of his heart,
security, and safety. In his pride, he believes
himself untouchable and the wisest above
all on earth, even proclaiming himself equal
to a deity.
The
Lord intends to exemplify to the world that
He alone holds the power over life and death.
He will send foreign armies to Tyre, and
this city known for its intellect and beauty,
would be brought to a lowly state and become
desolate on the earth.
An
allusion to Satan himself being the spiritual
ruler over the city of Tyre is presented.
Satan is described as a glorious and beautiful
creature with all perfection and wisdom.
His pride and arrogance were also his downfall;
he fell from the most prestigious position
at the throne of God to being one day viewed
as a picture of horror to the nations.
Tyre's
neighbor, Sidon, also has a judgment pronounced
toward her. The children of Israel will
one day rejoice when their enemies are conquered,
and they are no longer oppressed. Israel
will see restoration and know that Yahweh
is Lord.
In
Ezekiel chapter 29, the Judgment of the
Lord is prophesied to reach the pharaoh
of Egypt and his land. He boasted about
the creation of the Nile by his hands alone
and his might against the nations.
The
Lord describes the pharaoh's downfall as
one who easily captures a crocodile with
a large fish hook and drags it from the
water. His defeat will be swift, and prosperity
will fiee the land when Nebuchadnezzar brings
his conquering army to plunder all of Egypt.
The king of Babylon is prophesied to add
Egypt to his empire during his conquests.
Egypt
is promised restoration. The Lord declares
He will not completely wipe them from the
earth, but they will never again become
a powerful nation. The Lord also proclaims
He will rescue the children of Israel during
Egypt's defeat.
In
Ezekiel chapter 30, the Lord declares the
woes upon Egypt, for the day of their judgment
is coming. He warns the nation and those
allied with her to prepare for a war overtaking
them. Their source of life, the rivers of
the Nile, will dry up when Babylon and the
allied nations with them overcome the region.
The
Lord will once again display his might and
sovereignty over the gods of Egypt and the
pride of Pharaoh, and they will be defenseless
against the wrath to come. Their survivors
will be led into captivity and scattered
among the nations.
CREDIT
| Ezekiel 29:3
One
of the biggest problems in Egypt was their
denial of the Creator. They saw their source
of life (the Nile) as something they had
built and owned.
We
do the same thing when we claim we have
built something, whether it be our families,
careers, ministry, successful children,
or anything else.
This
is a prideful stance to take, as we believe
that we have created something that God
actually gave to us as a gift to steward.
This doesn’t take away from any hard work,
but hard work can never diminish the ability,
the resources, and the opportunities that
were presented to us before the work was
put in. Heart Check.
Who
do you credit for all things in your
life?
Deep
Dive
What
does the prophecy of Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt
say about the danger of pride, arrogance,
and self-importance?
How
does the world differ or agree in its view
of these things?
Is
God fair in His judgment spoken on these
nations compared with His word for Israel?
Are
there any modern examples of the downfall
of prideful leadership?
What
does the promise for restoration and redemption
say about God’s character? How has this
manifested in your life personally?
In
remembering your greatness and your power,
we won’t be able to hold ourselves in higher
regard than we are. Thank you for this reminder
today of the importance of humility and
the need to fight against pride and arrogance.
We know how you feel about it, and we see
how destructive it can be. So if we have
even an ounce of pride within us, please
eradicate it now and set up guardrails against
it in our minds and our hearts.
It
doesn’t matter how much glory and significance
we may gain on this earth. If it is not
bringing the glory back to you, it is all
done in vain. So may this be at the forefront
of our minds always and in everything we
do. I pray that we never forget that all
authority, power, position, and blessing
comes from heaven and you alone. May we
never be deceived by the world that tells
us otherwise. We know that self-su£iciency
is celebrated here, but if we only rely
on that, we separate ourselves from dependence
upon you, and that’s the beginning of the
end. So keep us close and if at any moment
we begin to think that we’ve got things
handled or under control, yank on the reigns
so we remember who is actually steering
our course.
Our
human wisdom and power is so incredibly
limited compared to yours, and we realize
we may not always understand why you do
the things you do. But we will choose to
trust in your infinite wisdom and your everlasting
love. You have proven yourself faithful
throughout the generations, so let that
conquer any doubt or fears we may have.
We
know that every judgment ever spoken and
carried out was preceded by abundant mercy
and is always intended for repentance and
restoration. Even when your judgment is
carried out, we see promise and hope that
rises up out of the ashes, o£ering
a gateway to deliverance and redemption.
Thank you that we are never beyond repair
and that your grace is unending.
As
we see on the bigger world stage, wars and
rumors of wars taking place, I pray that
we will not fear, for you have spoken that
these things will have to come to pass.
We often pray for the strength and might
of our nation, but more than anything, we
pray for your greater purpose to be carried
out and that your will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Every
word you have spoken will come to pass,
and we will not despair. You are sovereign
and in charge of everything. We know that
you are Lord, and we thank you that we do
not need to be jolted out of our own failure
to acknowledge you. But we pray for those
who are failing to do so, for we do not
wish judgment or destruction upon anyone
around us. We carry your heart to see all
people come to salvation. Let it be so.
In
Ezekiel chapter 31, the continued prophecy
regarding Egypt's future is given to Ezekiel.
She is contrasted with the great and mighty
Assyrian Empire that was brought to her
knees.
Egypt
will share that same fate when their region
is conquered, and they will no longer hold
power.Their iniquity has angered the Lord.
He has poured His wrath upon the other violent
and idolatrous nations, and they will be
no exception. All will ultimately answer
for their deeds before the Lord. When the
day has come upon them, they will acknowledge
Yahweh as the One, True God, as they did
when He shamed their land in the past.
The
nations mourned and lamented the seemingly
unconquerable Assyria and trembled when
they saw the Lord's mighty power that had
humiliated and humbled her.
In
Ezekiel chapter 32, the Lord instructs Ezekiel
to take up lamentations for the Pharaoh
of Egypt. Egypt will be humbled before the
nations, and her greatness among them snu£ed
out. They will cry for Egypt in their astonishment
at her defeat, and fear of vulnerability
will grip them. Judgment will come from
the army of Babylon, and they will be eternally
judged when the Lord sends them to Sheol.
In
Ezekiel chapter 33, God commissions Ezekiel
to go out and be the watchman for his people.
As the watchman, he is to proclaim the warning
from the Lord to repent, for in the day
the enemy comes and they have not turned
their hearts towards Him, their condemnation
will be upon their heads. The Lord has attempted
to reach His people's hearts for generations,
and they have rejected Him without fail.
If
Ezekiel fails to warn the people and does
not obey the Lord's commands, he is reminded
that he will also bear the guilt of their
condemnation. The Lord does not delight
in punishing His people, but they have left
Him with no alternative to capture the attention
of their hearts. The Lord's justice is fair
and righteous, and there will be no one
who will have an excuse. They have wrongfully
trusted their salvation was due to their
ancestry instead of upon the Lord. Ezekiel
hears word from a messenger declaring Jerusalem
has fallen. The Lord provides reassurance
to him that his prophecies had reached the
people, and they had spoken his words throughout
the city, but just as the Lord said, they
rejected the message.
IN
THE HEIGHTS | Ezekiel 31:10-14
This
passage warns us how pride and arrogance
can bring down not just individuals but
entire nations and empires. Whether it’s
a person or a government, when you become
haughty, you start to ignore the world around
you. This ignorance leaves you vulnerable
to unexpected attacks, causing you to fall.
Nations, just like people, are prone to
this kind of downfall when they believe
they are invincible. Heart Check:
Are
you becoming too proud, thinking that nothing
can touch us?
DARKNESS
| Ezekiel 32:8
Nations
like Egypt, Babylon, and even Israel fell
into darkness and sin. Despite Israel's
attempts to align itself with other nations
for security, God warned them that even
their allies would fall. This warning applies
today too. Whether you live in America or
any other powerful country, it's essential
to remember that no nation is immune to
collapse. Our security should not come from
our country's power or stability because,
just like the great empires of history,
they can fall in an instant.
This
darkness isn't just external; it can also
settle in our hearts through sin. We must
be cautious not to let sin lead us into
despair and away from God's light. Heart
Check:
Are
you living in darkness? Do you need the
light of God's Word to shine into your heart?
WATCHMAN
| Ezekiel 33:1-8
A
watchman, as described in the Bible, is
someone who stands guard and warns others
of impending danger. Ezekiel was called
to be a watchman, warning Israel about their
sins and the coming judgment.
Today,
we are also called to be watchmen in our
own lives, especially as Christians.
Whether
through our personal relationships or digital
platforms, we have a responsibility to share
God’s truth and raise an alarm when we see
sin and destruction around us.
As
believers, we need to recognize our duty
as spiritual watchmen—especially in this
digital age. God calls us to use whatever
platform we have, be it in our community
or online, to share His Word and be alert
to spiritual dangers around us. Heart Check:
Are
you being a watchman with the platforms
the Lord has given you?
Deep
Dive
What
similarities do you see between Egypt's
fall in Ezekiel 31 and the downfall of Assyria?
In
Ezekiel 32, God promises to judge Egypt,
just as He judged other nations. What can
we learn about God’s impartiality and His
judgment of both His people and their enemies?
How
does Ezekiel’s role as a "watchman"
(Ezekiel 33) apply to our responsibility
as Christians today to warn others about
the consequences of sin?
What
does Ezekiel 33:11 ("I take no pleasure
in the death of the wicked") reveal
about God’s heart for repentance, and how
can this shape our approach to sharing the
Gospel?
In
Ezekiel 33, God emphasizes the importance
of personal responsibility. How does this
concept challenge the idea that we are a£ected
solely by our circumstances, or by the actions
of others around us?
How
does Ezekiel’s example of persistent obedience,
despite the people’s refusal to listen,
inspire us to remain faithful in sharing
God's word, even when it seems no one is
listening?
Heavenly
Father, We come before You, acknowledging
Your power and authority over all nations
and peoples of earth.
Just
as You judged Egypt and Assyria for their
pride and wickedness, we know that You still
reign with justice today. Forgive us for
the times we have allowed pride and self-reliance
to take root in our hearts. Help us to humble
ourselves before You, recognizing that every
good thing comes from Your hand and that
without You, we are nothing. Lord, we ask
that You reveal to us the idols we have
set up in our lives and give us the strength
to cast them down.
Lord,
like Ezekiel, we desire to be faithful watchmen
in this generation. Give us boldness and
courage to speak Your truth to a world that
often resists or ignores Your message. We
pray that You open the hearts of those around
us to receive Your Word and turn from their
ways. Even when we are met with resistance,
let us remain steadfast, knowing that we
are responsible for sharing the message
You have given us, but You alone are responsible
for the outcome. Help us to trust in Your
plan and Your timing.
Father,
we are deeply moved by Your heart in Ezekiel
33, where You declare that You take no pleasure
in the death of the wicked, but rather that
they would turn and live. We thank You for
Your mercy and grace that seeks to save
all who are lost. Help us to refiect that
same mercy in our interactions with others.
May our lives be a testament to Your love,
and may we never cease to point others to
the hope we have in Christ, even when it
is di£icult.
Lastly,
we ask that You empower us to live lives
that honor You in all things. Help us to
be vigilant in our own walk with You, recognizing
that we are not only responsible for warning
others but also for living righteously before
You. May we walk in humility, accountability,
and reverence for Your holy name. Guide
us by Your Spirit, and may our actions bring
glory to You.
In
this Ezekiel 34, God rebukes the leaders
of Israel, comparing them to irresponsible
shepherds who have failed to care for their
fiock. Instead of feeding and protecting
the people, they exploit and neglect them.
God promises to take the role of the Good
Shepherd Himself, rescuing His people and
gathering them from exile. He will bring
justice, care for the weak and vulnerable,
and punish those who mistreat others. This
passage also foreshadows the coming of a
new shepherd—Jesus Christ, who will bring
true spiritual leadership and restore the
people.
Ezekiel
35 focuses on God’s judgment against Edom
(Mount Seir), a nation that harbored longstanding
hostility toward Israel. Edom took advantage
of Israel's downfall during the Babylonian
conquest, and God condemns them for their
violence and betrayal. God promises complete
desolation for Edom as a consequence of
their actions. This chapter emphasizes God's
justice and how He defends His people against
those who oppose or harm them.
Ezekiel
36, God reassures the people of Israel that
after their time of punishment, He will
restore their land, making it fruitful and
prosperous again. He also promises to cleanse
them from their sins and give them a new
heart and spirit, a promise that points
toward the New Covenant. Israel’s restoration
will be so profound that even the surrounding
nations will recognize God’s hand in it.
This restoration is not just physical but
also spiritual, as God’s people will be
renewed from within.
BE
A SHEPHERD | Ezekiel 34:1-16
But
let this be a wake-up call to the shepherds,
even today. Now we know we have the Great,
Mighty Shepherd—Jesus Christ. But we're
also shepherds of the fiocks the Lord has
placed in our hands. Are we eating o£
the fat, or are we feeding the fiock?
A
garden will judge each and every sheep according
to what they’ve done. Remember, we've been
talking about personal responsibility. Heart
Check.
Are
we eating off the fat. or we feeding those
God has entrusted to us?
PERSONAL
RESPONSIBILITY| Ezekiel 34:20-24
We
read about the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ,
and that God will judge each sheep according
to his actions. We've seen that personal
responsibility for our actions and sins
comes up again. The rams, the male goats,
the sheep—God holds them all accountable.
Some
people fit into di£erent categories.
We're not all fat sheep or lean sheep. Some
are the lean sheep walking through the mud,
messing up the pasture for future generations.
So, we must ask ourselves: Are we messing
things up for the next generation? Heart
Check.
Are
you living in a way that leaves a mess for
the next generation to clean up?
CHECK
YOUR MOUTH | Ezekiel 35:12-15
God
hears everything. He knows every word you've
ever spoken, just like He knows every hair
on your head. So, this is not just a heart
check—this is a tongue check too. Heart
Check.
Are
you careful about the words you're speaking?
Are your words honoring God?
DIVINE
JUDGMENT | Ezekiel 36:1-7
The
nations surrounding Israel will su£er
judgment because of their opposition to
God’s people. Some might ask, why will they
face desolation while God’s chosen people
receive mercy? It’s because Israel is His
chosen people. But even those who didn’t
know Yahweh—like the pagans of Jericho or
Egypt—were given chances to repent. God
wants people to know He is the Lord. Heart
Check.
Are
you aligned with God or against Him?
GOD’S
HOLY NAME | Ezekiel 36:20
Here’s
a real-life example: My son forgot his shoes
for practice. We drove an hour to get there,
and when we arrived, he said, “Uh-oh, I
only have Crocs.” He had to run on the track
without proper shoes. We dealt with it,
everything was fine, but I had to remind
him: “You know, this reflects on me.” Even
though it was his mistake, it made me look
bad because I’m his mother.
We
carry God’s name. Just like my son represents
me, we represent God. Our actions, our words—they
reflect on Him. So, are we profaning the
name of God? Heart Check.
Are
you profaning the name of God?
THE
GOOD SHEPHERD | Ezekiel 36
Failed
shepherds like the ones mentioned in Ezekiel
point us toward the ultimate Good Shepherd,
Jesus Christ. Where human leaders fail,
Christ leads with righteousness and care.
Heart Check.
Are
you following the Good Shepherd, or are
you being led by failed, earthly sheperds?
Deep
Dive
How
do the failed shepherds in Ezekiel 34 point
us toward the ultimate Good Shepherd, Jesus
Christ?
What
does God’s judgment against Edom in Ezekiel
35 teach us about His justice?
How
does Ezekiel 36 describe the restoration
of Israel, and what promises does God make
for their future?
In
Ezekiel 36:26, God promises a new heart
and a new spirit. How does this tie into
the New Covenant through Christ?
How
do these chapters give us a preview of the
Millennial reign of Christ, and what does
that mean for the nations around Israel?
What
does personal responsibility look like in
these chapters, and how does it apply to
us today?
Heavenly
Father, Thank You for being our Good Sheperd,
leading us with grace and mercy even when
we fall short.
We
recognize the weight of personal responsibility
that You call us to bear. Help us to live
with integrity and humility, knowing that
our actions impact future generations. Shine
Your light in the darkness within us and
guide our hearts to refiect Your love and
truth.
May
we never profane Your holy name through
careless words or deeds, but instead honor
You in all that we do. As we look forward
to the promises of restoration, we ask for
a new heart and a new spirit within us,
aligned with Your will.
Help
us to be faithful shepherds, leading others
with love as You have led us.
Ezekiel
37 Ezekiel has a vision from the Lord of
a valley filled with dry bones. The Lord
instructs Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones
to assemble together and form fiesh around
them. He is then instructed to proclaim
the Lord's breath of life to fill their
lungs, and they stand before him living
and breathing.
The
Lord provides an interpretation of the vision
to Ezekiel. The people feel hopeless in
their current state, but He is powerful
enough to raise them just as He brings to
life the disassembled bones.
The
Lord declares there will be a day when He
will unify His people. They will no longer
be two divided kingdoms, but collectively
the children of Israel once more. Forevermore,
they will be His people and He will again
set His sanctuary in their midst.
Ezekiel
38 The Lord prophesies a future attack on
Israel by Gog of Magog in the latter days.
Yahweh proclaims the children of Israel
will one day be drawn out of the nations
they were scattered, and once more dwell
in the land of their inheritance. In the
latter days, He will provoke and draw out
Gog to attack the nation of Israel while
they dwell in peace and safety.
The
vast army will come out to attack the children
of Israel with intent to completely destroy
them, but the Lord will see that Gog and
the multitude of his armies will be utterly
destroyed. The landscape will be severely
disrupted by the magnitude of a great earthquake
to come and all the world will know He alone
is the Mighty and Sovereign Lord of all.
Ezekiel
39 The Lord repeats the prophecy of the
defeat of Gog of Magog with greater detail.
He again recalls how he will compel Gog
to leave his homeland and invite other armies
to join him against Israel. Yahweh will
destroy Gog and his men on the mountains
of Israel, and the rest of his armies of
Magog will die in the valley. The name of
the Lord will be acknowledged throughout
all Israel.
The
number of casualties will be so immense
throughout the valley, it will take seven
months to bury the dead. While Israel buries,
the birds of the air and beasts in the field
will feast on the dead.
The
Lord will be exalted among the Gentiles
and enjoy fellowship with the Lord forevermore
alongside Israel.
DRY
BONES | Ezekiel 37:1
The
same God who has been with Ezekiel, giving
him prophetic vision and words from the
mouth of God, displaying powerful illustrations
through him, promising to bring about restoration
and redemption—is the same God who is leading
him into this valley of dry bones. Sometimes
we may not understand the seasons we are
in, we may not understand why things feel
so hopeless, why we keep su£ering,
or why everything seems to be failing.
But
what we can understand is that “the steps
of the righteous are ordered by the Lord”
(Psalm 37:23), so the same God who has been
with us on the mountaintop is the same God
who is with us in the valley.
These
bones had no sign of life in them. Sometimes
things seem to die in our lives—the spark
in our marriage, the sweet relationship
that we had with our young children, hopes,
dreams, a business, our health, even vigor
for life as we fall victim to depression
and anxiety.
Sometimes
we think we need to ignore these dry bones
for fear that it will cause us to doubt.
But
if we act like they don’t exist, how do
we bring them before the Lord. The first
step is identifying what is dead, so that
you can petition for the Lord to bring it
back to life. It’s the first step in trusting
that the God who lead you to the valley
is the same God who will see you through
it. Heart Check.
Are
you in the valley of dry bones? What is
in need of awakening in your life?
I
DON’T KNOW | Ezekiel 37:3
I
love this answer by Ezekiel—he was so honest
and purehearted in the way that he said,
“I don’t know. ”But the way that he said
it was what made it so profound—he didn’t
know if the bones could live again, but
what he did know, was that God had the answer.
I
have been in this valley. In fact, one of
them was just last year when I started this
Bible study. My husband’s job was on the
line to no fault of his own, and my father
died, and I no longer recognized the little
creature that was now living in my house,
who was once a sweet boy and now a teenager
who has me named as “cook” in his cell phone.
I
was in over my head in a ministry that I
committed to. Half the time, I didn’t know
which way was up. Those who were with me
knew and understood the meaning of the sign
that sits behind me:
● “But
God.”
● But
God knew.
● But
God would carry me through.
● But
God would make a way.
He
knows when we don’t. He knows better than
the doctors who have given their report.
He knows and watches over the kid who no
longer answers our phone calls. He knows.
And
if we miss everything else, catch this.
Because
He knows what we don’t, whatever we are
going through does not give order to our
faith in God. We may be able to say, “I
don’t know what is going to happen, I don’t
know if I can find hope in this situation,
but what I do know is that you are the God
who heals. You are the Rock of Ages, on
whom I’ve built my life, and the gates of
hell will not prevail against it. I know
that my redeemer lives and that even if
my fiesh is destroyed, I will see God.”
And
when you begin to declare the promises of
God over your life, right in the middle
of that valley of dry bones, you will be
able to praise His holy name and boldly
declare that if God is for us, who can be
against us, and that we may be in a season
of darkness, but that sorrow only gets one
night to stick around because joy is coming
in the morning.” That’s what I know. Heart
Check.
What
does God know that you don't? What promises
can you stand on when you feel hopeless?
SPIRIT
OF GOD | Ezekiel 39:29
This
section ends with a promise of the Spirit
of God once again being poured out, and
this time it is upon Israel.
The
other time we know of God pouring out His
Spirit was in Acts 2 at Pentecost, in the
upper room, where the church was formed.
This is the gift that we have the privilege
of living with—the guidance, the care, the
comfort, and the counsel of the Holy Spirit.
It
is by His Spirit that we have fellowship
with God. It is His Spirit that is our friend
who sticks closer than a brother. It is
His Spirit that breathes upon these Words
and brings them to life for us in the way
that it guides our every step. It is His
Spirit that dwells within us, giving us
strength when we are weak.
God
is not some distant God up in the heavens—He
is with us. Don’t miss this! Listen for
His voice, allow the comfort and peace of
His being, kick out those feelings of depression
and anxiety, let His Presence be that friend
when you feel rejected or alone. Heart Check.
Do
you recognize and fellowship with the Spirit
of God within you?
Deep
Dive
How
might the valley of dry bones be depicted
in today’s society?
How
does this prophecy give power to the spoken
word of God?
What
implications for the church does the unification
of Israel bring?
How
does the prophecy against Gog enhance your
view of modern day world confiicts?
How
does this prophecy give you a better understanding
of the End Times?
How
does God’s promise for restoration resonate
with you personally?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you that we serve a God who
redeems and restores.
We
thank you for being the God who speaks a
word and things begin to happen. Bones begin
to rattle, light begins to shine, new life
is birthed, dreams reawaken, vision is released
from behind blind eyes, healing takes place,
a path is forged through the valley to bring
us up out of hopelessness. Thank you for
giving us strength when we feel like we
can’t possibly go another step. Thank you
for meeting us in the midnight hour and
bringing comfort in our time of sorrow.
Your grace and mercy is still good and is
still present among us today. Will you breathe
on us so that we can feel that gentle wind
of your Presence.
Your
Word is so powerful and has given us everything
we need to sustain this life. I pray that
we will continue to cling to it, for in
doing so, we are clinging to you. Help us
to continue to seek your Word so diligently
so that we can stand on solid rock and begin
to prophesy over our circumstances, our
marriages, our homes, our families, our
health, our minds, and anything else that
needs a dose of hope. Wherever you dwell,
fear, anxiety, worry, depression, and bitterness
get evicted.
We
don’t have time to deal with that, so fill
us afresh today with your Spirit. Cleanse
our land. Purify our hearts. And may every
sinew and every molecule within us be completely
obedient to you. We crucify our fiesh so
that our spirits can be revived. Turn every
mess into a message and every test into
a testimony so that your glory can be seen.
We don’t want to wallow in our mess.
We
don’t’ want to be the victim but the victor.
We declare that we are the head and not
the tail, and sons and daughters of the
Living God. So I pray that when we walk
out of the valley of dry bones, we will
be able to shout from the mountaintop, “Look
what the Lord has done!”
We
are believing for healing today, for children
to return home, for marriages to be restored,
for cancer to be eradicated, pain to be
relieved, deals to go through, mortgages
to be granted, books to be written, blogs
to be started, and whatever dreams are in
the hearts of your people to be released
so that your glory can be revealed across
the earth. We hear you today. We know you
are here.
We
choose to stand up and praise you in every
season and in every circumstance, because
while we may not understand what we’re going
through, and we may not have the answers,
you do. You know. And that’s all we need.
Thank
you for those who are standing on the mountaintop
and able to praise you with thanksgiving
and joy. Thank you, that they can use this
time to store up your promises and to intercede
for others who may be struggling.
Continue
to pour out your blessings on blessings
on their lives and may they see you in every
single one of them. Keep them close and
may they not lose sight of you in times
of comfort or prosperity. May our circumstances
never dictate our faith in you. We take
hold of the divine promise of restoration
and revival and will continue to move forward
with you.
We
trust in your divine protection and your
sovereignty over all things. Every conflict,
every war, every adversity is one that we
can face with certainty that your hand is
upon us. Even if the odds are stacked against
us, your justice will prevail and your grace
and mercy will continue to fiow.
So
may we never fail to nurture our relationship
with you. We don’t want to wait for some
big event to have to turn us back. We want
to be with you and near you always, from
this day forward and forevermore.
In
Ezekiel chapter 40, Ezekiel is given a vision
of the future New Jerusalem, which continues
through to the end of chapter 48 and alludes
to the Temple that will stand in the Millennial
Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The Lord commands
that all of Israel be informed of the plans
He has for His beautiful city of Jerusalem
and the new glorious Temple.
Ezekiel
is provided with a spiritual guide who will
walk him through the exact measurements
and designs displayed. He is instructed
to pay close attention to their dimensions
and specifics and record them for a future
generation. The Lord walks him through the
gateways and the inner and outer courts
of the New Jerusalem.
In
Ezekiel chapter 41, the continuation of
Ezekiel's vision takes him into the Temple's
sanctuary. He notes its dimensions along
with the surrounding walls and chambers.
Ezekiel records details of the designs that
covered the walls of the Temple, the doors
and their frames, and the altar before the
Lord.
The
entrance to the upper and lower chambers
of the priests are described, along with
the chambers where the holy sacrifices are
consumed. Ezekiel is then led back outside
to measure the outside walls of the Temple.
In
Ezekiel chapter 42,The entrance to the upper
and lower chambers of the priests are described,
along with the chambers where the holy sacrifices
are consumed. Ezekiel is then led back outside
to measure the outside walls of the Temple.
HEART
PREP | Ezekiel 40-42
Normally,
I don’t do a heart check before we dive
into the reading, but given that we’re dealing
with many unknowns and prophecies yet to
unfold, I think it's essential to clarify
how we should approach this. We must share
boldly what is clear from Scripture and
be honest about what we don't fully understand.
It
wouldn't be right for me to declare definitively
that this is the millennial temple or that
it is purely symbolic without firm biblical
support. Be honest about what you know and
seek answers for what remains unclear.
Most
importantly, ask God for peace and understanding
about the divine mysteries that are yet
to be revealed. Be patient.
If
God wanted to clarify certain things right
now, He would have done so, just as He did
with prophets like Jeremiah. As we read
about this future temple, let's look through
eyes of grace, allowing the Spirit to guide
us, trusting that if it's in God's Word,
it matters. Heart Check:
Are
you seeking understanding for the things
clearly revealed in the Bible?
Are
you sharing what is clear to others?
Do
you trust God's timing for revealing the
unknown?
RADIO
SILENCE | Ezekiel 40:1
After
25 years of exile and 14 years since the
fall of Jerusalem, it may seem as though
God has been silent. But if you’re here,
studying Ezekiel right now—no matter when
you are reading or watching—God is speaking
to you. His God-breathed, inerrant Word
is alive. You don’t need an earthly intercessor
because the Holy Spirit is available to
guide you. Heart Check:
If
you feel like you're going through a dry
season and haven't heard from the Lord,
how can you open up and communicate with
Him today?
THE
NARROW WAY | Ezekiel 40:49
Notice
the increase in steps: seven steps to the
outer court, eight to the inner court, and
ten into the temple proper. The entrance
size decreases as we go deeper into the
temple—the holiest places have narrower
gates.
The
journey to God becomes more sacred, exclusive,
and purifying. The closer we get to God,
the more sanctification is needed, and the
more unholiness is stripped away. Heart
Check:
Are
you walking the narrow path of holiness,
growing closer to God as you let go the
things that don't belong?
HOLINESS
| Ezekiel 40-42
Now
that we’ve witnessed this grand temple,
how can we even think of approaching God
in our unholiness?
Ezekiel's
vision perfectly records God’s majesty,
beauty, and order. The angel told Ezekiel
to "look, listen, and set your heart"
upon everything shown to him—not to write
down construction plans but to declare God's
holiness.
We
are called to do the same—to proclaim His
holiness and put away all unclean things.
We are temples of the Holy Spirit, and God's
holiness dwells within us.
Heart
Check:
Do
you desire to grow closer to God? If so,
are you setting aside the unholy things
in your life to draw nearer to him?
Deep
Dive
What
does the precise and detailed description
of the temple in Ezekiel 40-42 teach us
about God's concern for order and structure
in worship?
How
do the measurements and layout of the temple
point to God’s holiness and the separation
between God and the people?
What
is the significance of Ezekiel being taken
to this vision by a "man with a measuring
rod" and how does this guide us in
interpreting prophetic visions?
In
Ezekiel's vision, why is the temple restored,
and what could this represent for Israel
and for us today in a spiritual sense?
How
do the rooms and chambers designated for
the priests symbolize their set-apartness
for God's service? How might this relate
to our own calling as Christians?
Why
does Ezekiel spend so much time detailing
the measurements and construction of the
temple, and how does this emphasis refiect
God's intention for the future and His prophetic
promises?
Heavenly
Father, We come before you with hearts full
of faith and trust, knowing that Your plans
are perfect, even when we don't fully understand
them.
Just
as You revealed to Ezekiel the blueprint
of the temple, help us to see Your blueprint
for our lives and the world around us. Lord,
we ask for wisdom to understand Your prophecies
and to see their meaning not just for the
past but for our lives today. May we trust
in Your promises, knowing that You are faithful
to bring them to fulfillment in Your perfect
timing.
Strengthen
us to dig deeper into Your Word, to uncover
the treasures that lie within, and to build
our lives on the firm foundation of Your
truth. Help us to walk in faith, trusting
that You are guiding us step by step, even
when the way forward is unclear.
We
give You all our praise, trusting in Your
plan and Your goodness.
In
Ezekiel chapter 43, Ezekiel experiences
the presence and glory of the Lord, who
takes him to the Temple's inner court and
fills the inside of the Temple. The Lord
speaks of the day when all His children
will be righteous and no longer rebel or
defile His name. He speaks of His eternal
dwelling among His people. Ezekiel is explained
why the Lord is showing him all these things.
The Lord is giving the people hope of the
glory that awaits them if they persist in
their submission to Him.
The
altar of the Lord is described along with
the ordinances followed in its consecration
ceremony. There is mention of animal sacrifice
that will consecrate the Temple. The animal's
death did not remove the sin from the person
so a visual reminder will serve as a memorial
of Jesus' sacrifice to those in the Millennial
Kingdom.
In
Ezekiel chapter 44, the east gate is described
as permanently shut after the glory of the
Lord enters through it. The prince (ruler
in the Millennial Kingdom) will enjoy the
unique privilege of fellowship with the
Lord when he comes before the Temple to
sacrifice to the Lord.
The
expectations required of the Levitical priests
and how they must maintain their holiness
are recorded, as are the provisions the
Lord has for them. The separation between
those allowed into the Temple's courts and
those who must remain outside is also explored.
In
Ezekiel chapter 45, Ezekiel is given the
land division surrounding the Temple. The
land will be portioned for the Levites,
the whole house of Israel regardless of
their tribe, and for the Millennial Kingdom's
prince.
The
Lord lays the groundwork for the justice
and impartiality He expects to be present
in His kingdom. Regulations are given that
the prince will follow in his sacrifices
and o£erings to the Lord and in the
observance of Passover.
HIS
CHOOSING | Ezekiel 43:9
Anytime
God says, “I will,” he declares that this
is His choice. He did not have to dwell
with them, and they did not deserve Him
either.
And
He declares this over our lives as well.
Under the New Covenant, His Spirit doesn’t
just dwell with us, but He is within us!
The Israelites only had one day each year
on the Day of Atonement to experience this!
We
have it every single day! But have you ever
really considered that He chooses to do
this—He is not obligated and does not do
so reluctantly? This alone should bring
us so much hope because this is how much
He loves us! Heart Check.
Do
you take His Prescence for granted?
Has
it been lost on you that God is choosing
to spend His time with you in your dwelling
place?
What
are you doing in response to that?
EVIDENCE
| Ezekiel 43:9
Secondly,
it should be evident if He indeed dwells
within your temple.
Our
bodies are temples of the Livi
+ng
God. We are holy ground, and therefore,
our lives should look different from the
majority of the people around us because,
as true Christ followers, we are the minority.
The scriptures say the harvest is ripe,
and the workers are few (Mt. 9:37). Heart
Check.
Can
people tell that Christ dwells in you? How
evident is Hid Presence?
CLEAN
HOUSE | Ezekiel 43:1-12
The
purpose of this vision is not just to show
what the Millennial temple will look like.It
was intended to show the people that God’s
holiness matters, and if they want Him to
dwell among them again, they will have to
come back to holiness.
In
a sense, they would need to clean house.
This means putting away their idols or anything
else that was unholy and be holy. God made
us holy at the cross—but that was just an
initiation. It’s kind of like the brand
new house that you move into—you get a clean
slate. But once you move in, you now have
the job of maintaining that cleanliness
or holiness. It always amazes me that God
wants to come to dwell in our temple, even
when it isn’t so spic and span. He continues
to pursue and run after us, even when we
continually run in the other direction.
But
if we keep walking around in sin and back
into our homes with dirty shoes on, that
is the #1 indicator that we disregard His
holiness and Presence. We are holy ground,
so our fioors should refiect that! When
we choose sin, we are either saying that
He can’t see us, that He is not in charge
of us, or that He doesn’t care. Heart Check.
Is
there some house cleaning that you need
to do? Is there anything unholy in your
life that needs to be put away?
PRECISE
MEASUREMENTS | Ezekiel 43:13-17
Anytime
God orders something, whether it is a family,
a ministry, a new job, a book, there is
always a recipe card that comes with it.
He never tells us to do something without
giving us the steps to take because if He
didn’t, that would leave us to work in chaos
haphazardly, and He is not a God of chaos.
It’s
kind of like baking—I was taught that baking
is a science, and if you don’t follow the
precise measurements on that recipe card
(or nowadays on the blog or Pinterest),
it won’t come out the way it should. It’s
the same way with our lives.
If
we choose to follow any other pattern or
guidebook, we will not come out the way
that we should. Heart Check.
Are
you following his precise measurements?
Or are you cutting corners and doing things
your own way?
NO
SWEAT | Ezekiel 44:18
If
you know your fabrics, you know linen tends
to be cooler than other threads. The Lord
did not want His ministers wearing wool
and breaking a sweat while they were working.
Jesus
expands on this when He says His burden
is easy and His yoke is light. Spiritually
speaking, this means that when we minister
and work for the Lord (which is our daily
walk, for we are all ministers), it may
be hard work, but we should not be mulch
at the bottom of a filter or feel drained
because of it.
If
we are, there is a considerable possibility
that we are wearing some other yoke or fabric.
We may be trying to do it with our own strength,
in our own way, or even with the wrong motives.
But when we work the Lord’s way, there will
be peace and supernatural rest for our bodies
and minds.
Every
time I begin to feel drained, I have to
reevaluate what I’m doing, and I typically
find that I took on something I shouldn’t
have or that I was trying to do something
my own way. And as soon as I submit that
to the Lord, the next day, I’m like a brand
new person. Heart Check.
Are
you swaeting the work of the Lord? Have
you traded His yoke or the cool linen for
some other method of fabric?
Deep
Dive
What
does the return of God’s glory to the temple
say about His character?
What
is holiness? How does it apply to our lives?
In what ways are the holiness of God on
display?
How
can we ensure our “temple” is cleansed and
purified?
How
does the separation of the Zadokite priests
show the importance of faithfulness and
obedience? Is this still relevant?
Are
we called to the same standard of the Zadokite
priests? Why or why not?
What
does the division of land say about God’s
heart for structure? How is that mirrored
or criticized today?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you always running to us
even when we run in the other direction.
Thank
you for the way you have always o£ered
opportunities for repentance and restoration.
These are not just Old Testament things
we are talking about—it is still very much
so relevant in our lives.
As
we seek your Holy Presence today, I pray
that just as we would do with our homes
when we know that we have visitors coming,
let us clean house. Help us to see the dust
that needs to be wiped o£ the shutters
of our hearts or the dirt that we may have
carried in on our shoes. Forgive us if we
have been walking around in the mud of sin
and allowing it to enter holy ground. We
remove it today, as our hearts’ desire is
to be holy so that your glory can dwell
here.
You
don’t have to, yet it always amazes me that
you want to. You love us that much. Little
old me. So may our lives be the evidence
that others need to see that you are indeed
alive and well and on the move. May we be
holy for you are holy. I pray that we will
be so filled with love, grace, kindness,
forgiveness, and joy, so that others want
to open their hearts to you as well. I pray
that they will look at us and say, “I want
what she’s got.”
Lord,
you have ordered beautiful dreams and plans
for our lives and you have given us the
recipe card. By your Word and by the leading
of your Spirit, we have everything we need
to walk this life out perfectly. Tune our
ears in to your voice and may we see the
exact steps that are illuminated before
us by your Word. It may just be one step
at a time, but that’s all we need to keep
moving forward. You will never call us to
something that you will not equip us for,
so we are trusting in you today to continue
speaking and showing us how to build out
our lives. We don’t want to cut corners.
We want to follow the precise measurements
that you have laid out in your plans.
I
thank you for the privilege to be able to
minister. May every person here recognize
their place in ministry, whether it’s in
their homes, in the workplace, out on a
football field, at a grocery store—there
is always an opportunity to show people
who you are in the way that we love them
and in the words that we speak. We are all
ministers, so I pray that we never take
this lightly. But may our ministry to you
be first and foremost.
I
pray that we never place work above worship.
And may our worship always be done with
the utmost reverence and sincerity. May
we live our lives above reproach, as you
have called the priests to do. We are a
royal priesthood, and we are not held to
a lower standard. Show us where we can improve.
Show us how to teach. Show us how to lead
others to Christ and to make disciples.
Thank
you, Jesus, for giving us strength when
we are weak. Thank you for bearing the burden
for us. Your yoke is easy and your burden
is light, so if we are carrying a heavy
load today, I pray that we will take a load
o£ and give it to you. We don’t want
to do things our own way or go in another
direction. We want to live by your guidance
and by your lead. We release all control
that we may have been trying to hold on
to and surrender our lives into your hands.
Lord,
you are not just a God of the spiritual
world, you are the God of the physical,
the God of our land, the God who cares about
society and structure. You divide and allocate
the way you see fit, but when we see you
as our portion, this won’t even be an issue
with us. We will be able to look at our
lot and simply say, “Thank you.” We can
look at our problems and thank you for being
our problem solver. We can look at our sickness
and thank you for being our healer.
We
can look at our losses and thank you for
the blessings that still surround us. And
we can look at the ensuing chaos in our
world and thank you that you are sovereign
and in control of it all. We do not need
to worry and we do not need to fear. But
we will keep pressing and asking for protection
over your people, for lives to be transformed,
and for souls to be saved. May all eyes
see you for who you are.
Ezekiel
Chapter 46, The righteous worship that will
be seen in the future Temple of New Jerusalem
is described.Ezekiel sees the sacrifices
and o£erings that the prince will
o£er before the Lord as he brings
the children of Israel back to the observance
of their commanded feasts, festivals, and
daily worship. The prince's allowance to
designate land for his sons and the kitchens
of the Temple are discussed.
Ezekiel
Chapter 47, In his vision, the prophet sees
a river fiowing from the threshold of the
Temple towards the east. He describes the
river's fiow and depth and the life it brings
forth. As the boundaries are declared again,
each of the twelve tribes is allotted their
entire inheritance land from the Lord.
Ezekiel
Chapter 48, The Lord declares the divided
lands in His Kingdom. The seven northern
tribes, the southern tribes, and the city
district are apportioned. The land for the
Levites, the prince, and the Lord's allotment
is described in detail.
The
Lord declares the names of the gates of
the city and the name He has designated
for His city, which will proclaim His glory
forevermore.
GLORY
TO GLORY | Ezekiel 46:9-10
In
the Millennial kingdom, huge crowds will
gather for worship, which is why we see
the Lord establishing order here. You come
in one way, and you leave another. But say
that out loud and listen to the spiritual
implications. When you come to worship the
Lord, you will come in one way and leave
another. In other words, when we worship,
we should di£er from how we came in.
Whether
we sing praises, pray, read His Word, or
bring Him glory in our daily lives, He changes
us from glory to glory. Even in reading
about temples and sacrifices, if we don’t
shut the book halfway into the first sentence
because it’s boring, and if we allow Him
to, the Lord will work on our hearts, even
in minor ways.
For
example, reading about these things seems
repetitive and daunting. But look what’s
happening—we are showing up anyway. We are
learning discipline and faithfulness. We
are being stretched in our knowledge and
understanding. We are being changed. If
not, we need to do a Heart Check.
When
you come to worship, doyou come in one way
and leave another? Do you see how the Lord
is changing you from glory to glory? Or
is there a something (an attitude, sin,
ect.) that is causing you to resist this
change?
SELFISH
WORSHIP | Ezekiel 46
Ultimately,
we see that the Millennial Kingdom is not
people sitting on a beach somewhere and
sipping pina coladas (although I’m sure
there will be some of that, too).
There
is still work and worship. And if that’s
disappointing, then we have to come back
to remembering that if we are going to claim
the name “servants of Christ” but get upset
when worship doesn’t serve us, then we aren’t
indeed servants.
For
example, if we get upset that the worship
team picked “bad songs” on the weekend,
or if we don’t get goosebumps or that feel-good
feeling in a church service, or if we constantly
get annoyed with having to read three pages
of the Bible per day, then there’s a good
chance that we are looking for God to serve
us first.
This
is selfish worship, and it’s easy to fall
into it, especially when you get into a
reading or church routine. The newness wears
o£, and it’s easy to fall into the
trap of monotony. How do avoid it?For one,
if you truly fear the Lord and have that
perfect reverence, it’s impossible. But
we are imperfect beings, so we have to choose
to battle our fiesh, and it starts with
our mindset.
For
example, yesterday, I started reading this
chapter and thought to myself, “Another
temple reading—I probably won’t be getting
any heart checks today,” so I sat down real
quick. Whether it was the Holy Spirit or
my own voice, I clearly heard, “Change your
attitude.”
That
one encounter was all I needed. But I could’ve
easily walked away from reading this and
said, “I didn’t get anything out of that.”
Yet here we are on our second Heart Check.
How
selfish is your worship? Are you looking
for it to do something for you? Or are you
worshipping because you truly desire to
serve Jesus?
HOW
DEEP | Ezekiel 47:3-6
There
has never been a river in Jerusalem like
this—there are streams and brooks, but nothing
of this size and force.
Historically,
Jerusalem was one of the only cities not
built around a significant body of water.
This river may have formed when Jesus stepped
on the Mt. of Olives. Zechariah 14 says
there will be an earthquake, and the mountain
will split into two. With all the topographical
changes that an earthquake brings, it makes
sense that this great river is formed here.
So
this will be both a miracle and a blessing,
bringing life, refreshment, hope, and security
to the region, just as His living water
does for us. So we can look at this spiritually.
I
think about a recent trip to Zion National
Park, where we hiked the Narrows. It’s a
mile hike before you reach water, so when
you initially step foot into the Virgin
River, it feels refreshing in 100-degree
heat.
This
is that beautiful moment of salvation where
you want to keep growing, so you keep walking.
Then the water gets to your knees, and you
begin to feel the power of the river, maybe
even getting a little wobbly, so you reach
out for assistance.
This
is where you start to grow in your prayer
life and fellowship, recognizing that you
can’t do this life without Him and that
you need His assistance. But you keep walking
until you’re waist-deep, and this is where
it starts to get a little bit uncomfortable
as that cold water hits your mid-section
and backside, but it’s also really exciting!
This happens when you start reading His
Word. It should hit in an uncomfortable
way as it begins to purify you.
And
now you’re at this crossroads of either
remaining in this discomfort or diving in.
Anyone who has swam in cold water knows
it’s always better to go under. That’s when
you experience the beautiful refreshment
of being immersed. And it’s the same way
when we finally allow ourselves to swim
with the current rather than fighting against
it.
The
interesting thing about hiking the Narrows
is that the further you go, the more beautiful
it gets, and the less people there are.In
the spiritual sense, this is sad. There
are masses right at the beginning, sitting
ankle-deep in the church pews, and they
never go beyond that. Heart Check
How
deep into the water are you? What can you
do to groe deeper?
Deep
Dive
What
do these detailed chapters say about the
character of God?
What
does it say about the importance of worship?
How can the principles that are laid out
in chapter 46 be applied to modern church
services?
What
symbolic role does the prince play in our
lives today?
How
does the old and future sacrificial system
relate to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ?
Why is it important to remember?
How
do you view the symbolism of the river in
your spiritual life?
Reflect
on Jehovah Shammah “The Lord is There.”
What does this mean to you? What does it
mean for your future?
Heavenly
Father,Jehovah Shammah, thank you for being
there.
You
were there in the beginning, you are with
us in the middle, and you are already there
in the end. The essence of time spans beyond
our limited understanding. There is no end
with you, yet you are ever-present. When
we begin to even grasp a tiny bit of this,
it blows our minds while bringing peace,
knowing that you already hold the future
in your hands, so we don’t need to worry.
We
see that even when your people have remained
unfaithful through the generations, you
will still stand on that mountain in the
end and welcome them home. You will welcome
us home. What a beautiful day that will
be.
Until
then, we will find great joy in worshipping
you, our King Jesus, knowing that it pleases
your heart. Thank you for the reminder that
worship isn’t about us and our feelings.
Yet you bless our hearts anyway when we
come with genuine sincerity, so thank you
for that.
But
we worship you because of all that you’ve
done and because of who you are. The blessing
is a byproduct that we are grateful for.
May we never lose sight of your holiness
and may our hearts always be reverent before
you.
How
we desire to continue to walk with you in
this river of life. We want to be fully
immersed in the power of your Spirit, moving
in step with you in your holiness and righteousness.
Give us the courage to dive in if we are
feeling a little timid or hesitant. Restore
that excitement of when we first stepped
foot into the water. I pray that those who
choose to go deeper into the narrows will
only increase.
We
know the harvest is ripe and the workers
are few, but that’s the not the end of the
story, so we will keep pressing to grow
deeper with others. May our lives bear fruit
year round and may we be agents of healing
in others’ lives as your Spirit works in
and through us. And through it all, may
you receive all the glory.
Thank
you for giving us a glimpse into the new
temple, the new city, and the new era that
is yet to come. We are so grateful that
we will one day see it and be able to say,
“Hey, I know where we are! He showed this
to us! Come with me—I know the way! I know
what to do!” Wow. What an honor to be one
of the chosen ones. Thank you. I pray it
never be lost on us.
The
prophet Joel describes the overwhelming
catastrophe that has befallen the Judah
and Jerusalem kingdoms. He uses locusts
to describe the savage manner in which Babylon
and the allied armies swept through the
land with their devastation and death. They
covered and devoured the land so immensely,
and with no mercy, the children of Israel
were left unable to defend themselves and
the land in complete and utter ruin.He details
the drought and famine on the day of the
Lord's judgment and the agonizing mourning
that the people could hear.
Joel
provides context that speaks of present
devastation and alludes to the coming Day
of the Lord when He will blot out all His
enemies. He reminds the people of Judah
that judgment ultimately comes from the
Lord and calls for their repentance. God
notices and will spare them from His hand
of judgment and protect them from the vicious
army.
Although
all looks bleak and hopeless, the Lord has
promised an excellent restoration for His
people and the land. He ends with a proclamation
of ultimate victory in the coming Day of
the Lord.
The
Lord declares He will gather His people
from the lands they were scattered to and
lead them back to their land. He will also
gather the nations to the Valley of Jehoshaphat,
and there, they will endure their judgment
for scattering the Lord's people and dividing
the inheritance He gave to His people. The
Lord has brought judgment upon His people,
but He will not allow the nations to go
unpunished for the violence and injustice
they execute on His people.
The
Lord announces He will draw all the nations
out for His final judgment and victory in
the valley. Creation will declare His might
and sovereignty as the earth and celestial
bodies will be shaken on this day. The Lord
and His people will enjoy victory and vindication,
as the nations who have sought to destroy
and bring death will receive their ultimate
payment for their rebellion against the
Lord. Lasting abundance awaits His people,
but the enemies of the Lord will receive
endless retribution for the violence and
rebellion they incessantly display against
their Creator.
TELL
THEM | Joel 1:3
It’s
been a while since we’ve heard “tell your
children.”I know many of us had conversations
yesterday with our kids about 9/11; for
most of us, that horrific day seems like
yesterday, but for this generation, it’s
merely a page in the history book.
When
you open up a conversation about the past,
you can explore many practical and spiritual
topics. You can talk about terrorism, heroism,
faith, forgiveness, what a memorial day
is, and many other things. But the main
thing to catch is that talking to our children
is incredibly valuable.
Our
messes can be a powerful message for their
lives so they don’t go down the same road
we did. We can inspire them by sharing our
testimonies of faith. Even if you don’t
have children, you can still be a spiritual
mother or father by pouring into the future
generation. You can even speak to those
older than you who may be just starting
on their journey of faith. We all have someone
we can tell these things to. Heart Check.
Who
are you talking to? Are you pouring into
anyone?
RECLAIMING
JOY | Joel 1:11-14
All
the crops are dried up, which means the
joy of the harvest has been stolen. This
is human instinct—when we lose our job,
break up with someone, get sick, all of
these things can easily steal our joy.
I
love how the Lord allows for that time of
mourning. He isn’t being a taskmaster, saying,
“Wipe that sadness o£ your face and
get back to work.” He acknowledges our feelings
and gives us a margin for them. He doesn’t
just allow them to mourn; He commands it.
But
with any margin and mourning, there’s a
limit. There will come a time when we will
have to remove the sackcloth and keep moving
forward. Joel gives them the framework for
that. He calls for a fast, calls for the
assembling of the bretheren (a.k.a. get
to church), calls upon wise counsel or the
elders, and most importantly, he calls for
prayer. This is what it means to choose
joy. It takes effort. Heart Check.
Do
you make the effort to reclaim your joy
when it's been lost?
FAITHFUL
VISION | Joel 2:21-23
At
this point, it would be impossible to see
fruit for at least another year, because
remember that even the seeds were dried
up, meaning there wasn’t going to even be
a season for planting.
So
what Joel is seeing are faithful visions.
He is looking through lenses of faith at
what lies ahead. A lot of the time, this
is going to be what will bring you through
seasons of drought.
This
is why Paul says that he keeps his eyes
fixed on the goal, pushing toward it to
win the prize of the upward call. And he
tells the people, “Don’t take my word for
it, and instead look at others who have
done the same thing and do what they did”
(Phil. 3:14-21 paraphrased).
The
type of lenses that we look through will
determine what we can see. If you’ve ever
been to the optometrist, you are familiar
with “1 or 2, A or B” when they’re fiipping
the di£erent lenses back and forth
to see which one is clearer for you.
So
if we are looking through dirty lenses of
our past or through foggy lenses of today’s
destruction, we won’t have any hope. But
if you look through lenses of faith that
carry the strength of the promises of God,
you will be able to see the fruit and the
hope that lies ahead. You can see it in
the lives of others. Heart Check.
What's
your vision right now? Is it hopeful? Is
it faithful? Or is it foggy and dim? Do
your lenses need a cleaning?
Deep
Dive
Does
our land or environment show signs of mourning?
What
practical ways can we issue a call to repentance?
How
can we rend our hearts and not our garments?
What
does the day of the Lord mean to you personally?
What
does the pouring out of the the Spirit on
all fiesh imply about God’s heart for all
people? How might this shape your prejudices?
How
would you explain this prophecy to someone
who is just beginning their faith journey?
Heavenly
Father, We seek your mercy and grace today.
This
is the same mercy and grace that has been
poured out for thousands of years. Continual
calls for for repentance and continued delays
in judgment, show just how merciful you
are. You are still breathing upon this land
today, willing anyone who will open their
ears to hear your voice, to heed the call.
Oh Lord, we pray for response today. We
pray for revival. We pray that our nations
will get to their knees before they have
to be forced by some sort of devastation.
We pray for the restoration of Biblical
values in our homes, in our communities,
and in our schools. While many of us mourn
the days of old, we will not stay stuck
in what once was, but will keep forging
ahead, working with you to pick up the broken
pieces wherever we can. Show us how to be
your hands and feet. Show us how rebuild
what’s been destroyed or to stop the destruction
before it happens. May we be the Joels of
today, declaring your words of warning but
also words of hope.
I
pray that we never become complacent in
our seasons of peace or prosperity. May
we not turn a blind eye or ignore the injustice,
division, hatred, or lack of repentance.
I pray that we will always be watchful,
readying ourselves and our families for
the day of the Lord. It isn’t something
that we fear, but it is something we will
be expectant of, because your Word has declared
it. In the meantime, we will keep telling
others of your goodness, mercy, and grace.
We will be carriers of the good news, torching
the darkness with the light of the gospel.
But
we first rend our hearts and return to you.
We plead for mercy and ask that you spare
your people. You are so gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast
love. It is your kindness that leads us
to repentance. May your people see your
kindness today and turn with sincerity to
you. I pray that in that moment of calling
upon your holy name, the name that bears
hope and grace and mercy and power, that
all darkness will fiee as your Spirit invades.
Let your fire devour all that is unholy,
leaving behind a blessing of purity.
We
will be glad and rejoice today, for the
way that you have abundantly poured out
Spirit upon us. You have washed over us
with that abundant rain that has nourished
our souls and born fruit. You have taken
the time and the gifts that we wasted and
have turned them for good. You are the restorer
of all things. And now we are able to eat
in plenty and be satisfied. We praise the
name of the Lord our God, for you have dealt
wondrously with us. Thank you for never
allowing us to bear the shame that we once
carried.
Because
your Presence dwells within us, we are free
to live in peace.
Will
you continue to pour out your Spirit on
all your sons and daughters. Open up our
mouths and loose our tongues so that we
will prophesy the dreams and visions that
you are giving to us. Continue to show us
the wonders in the heavens and on the earth
so that we have a better understanding of
what is yet to come. And as long as we have
breath in our lungs, we will call upon the
name of the Lord for all things. Thank you
for saving us. Thank you for your unwavering
commitment to us. Thank you for restoring
and redeeming our lives.
Daniel
records that the events of the siege on
Jerusalem happened exactly as had been prophesied
to them for hundreds of years prior. King
Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem, confiscates
treasures in the Temple of the Lord, and
carries o£ the elite young men to
serve in his palace. They are trained as
educators in the Chaldean ways and are given
daily provisions from the king's delicacies
and wine.
Daniel
and three other young men protest the king's
rich food and ask only for a provision of
vegetables and water for 10 days to compare
with those who eat the king's provisions.
God grants him favor in the eyes of the
king's eunuchs, and they agree to his request.
Daniel and his men are found in healthier
conditions and no longer required to eat
the king's provisions. The Lord blesses
them with exceptional wisdom and knowledge,
surpassing Babylon's most significant magicians
and intellects.
Nebuchadnezzar
has a dream that causes him great distress.
He seeks the counsel of the brightest in
his kingdom for a meaning to his dream.
He promises great wealth and honor to the
one who can interpret, but all fail to provide
him with answers. In his anger, the king
decrees that all of the wise men in his
kingdom be put to death. The Lord gives
Daniel the answer to the king's dream and
grants him an audience with Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel gives glory to Yahweh in the king's
presence for providing him with the answer
and gives the king meaning for every detail
in his dream.
The
king pays respect to Daniel and to his God,
Yahweh, who has shown Himself to be above
all the other gods of Babylon. Daniel is
given wealth and promotions in the kingdom
of Babylon.
King
Nebuchadnezzar erected a giant statue in
the plain of Babylon and decreed that all
must worship the image. All who refuse are
to be thrown in a fiery furnace. Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-Nego refuse to bow to
the image and are taken before the king.
The king is furious with their disobedience
towards his edict and commands they be thrown
into the fiery furnace.
The
king is amazed to see four men inside the
furnace and calls them to come out. They
are all astonished to see that no part of
them or their clothing has been a£ected
by the intense fire and heat. Nebuchadnezzar
declares the glory of their God, and declares
death to any who speak any disparaging words
against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
CONVICTIONS
| Daniel 1:8
This
word resolve is where we get the term resolution—you
know, those excellent goals we all set at
the end of each year with great intention
to improve. We resolve to diet, be more
organized, and start going to the gym, only
to find ourselves on the couch eating cookie
butter a few weeks later.
But
steadfast resolve is a firm determination.
Daniel’s resolve came from an inner conviction
(which he likely learned from prophets like
Jeremiah and Ezekiel). This meant he had
non-negotiables in his spirit, which included
not disobeying God by eating unkosher food
and wine that had likely been sacrificed
to idols.
He
may be in Babylon, but he refuses to be
of it. So he purposed in his heart before
getting to the table that he was not going
there. Our resolutions typically fail because
they don’t come from that place of inner
conviction. There is no absolute attached
to them. The only resolution I have ever
been able to keep is reading God’s Word
every day because it is non-negotiable for
me. Heart Check.
What
are your convictions? What is a non-negotiable
in your heart that shapes your reslove?
PURPOSE
IT | Daniel 1:8 Secondly…
Heart
Check.
Is
there something you need to purpose in your
heart to stop before you even start? Or
perhaps something to which you need to say,
"I'm done."
TAKE
A STAND | Daniel 3
In
the end, Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego
showed what it means to have true unwavering
faith.
They
took a stand in the face of death. Most
of us would probably say that if someone
held a gun to our head, we wouldn’t deny
Christ.
Yet
we refuse to say certain things out loud
nowadays for fear of appearing to be crossing
enemy lines.
But
not these guys—because they had confidence
in God and conviction in their hearts, they
also had courage in the fire. We may not
ever go through the fire that they did,
but we will continue to be confronted with
the seduction of modern-day idolatry, and
as time goes on, we will, more and more,
be of the unpopular opinion.
It’s
gotten to the point that even Christians
are holding constitutional freedom and rights
above the Word of God, saying that because
God gives us the freedom to choose Him,
we should also fight for the freedom of
choice in all things.
So
the question is… Heart Check.
Will
you take a stand when you are being opposed?
Are you able to trust that if you are thrown
in the fire, Jesus will meet you there and
set you free?
Deep
Dive
Where
do we see indoctrination and assimilation
in today’s world?
What
practical ways can we live in the world
and be immersed in culture without being
of it?
How
does Daniel’s journey mirror the journey
of Jesus?
What
character traits of Daniel are seen in this
reading?
How
does this prophecy unlock Revelation?
How
can we beef up our courage before we get
to the fire?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your unchanging love
and faithfulness.
No
matter where we are in life, whether we
are in captivity, in isolation, or living
our best life, you are there. I pray that
we will be faithful in all circumstances,
just as you are. We live in a world, surrounded
by delicacies and temptations that may not
even seem all that bad, but we know they
are not beneficial. Help us to discern between
the two. I pray that you will continue to
strengthen our inner convictions that are
born from your Word in our hearts. Keep
us strong so that we will resolve to never
compromise when we are put to the test.
I pray that we will be like Daniel in the
way that he was never self-righteous, but
always humble and courteous, even when he
was standing up for what he knew was right.
We
know there might come a day where we are
faced with obeying authority at the price
of disobeying you. Oh God, I pray we will
remain faithful and obedient to you first
and foremost. Even if it costs us something,
we ultimately know that you will bring favor
and blessing into our lives when we do not
waver from your commands. Keep us strong,
especially in those moments. May we continually
renew our mind, holding our thoughts and
making them obedient to you always. I pray
that our character will be uncompromising,
and our integrity will go before us in every
situation. May everything we do, even in
our eating and drinking, be done for your
glory.
Thank
you for giving us a glimpse into your omniscience
and omnipotence. You are indeed all-knowing
and all-powerful, so this is why we can
come to you always in prayer about all things.
You have the answers, especially when we
don’t. I pray that we will be a people of
prayer but also praise. I pray that we will
praise you before the miracle and breakthrough,
and even when we don’t get an answer or
don’t hear what we want to hear. When we
are confronted with crisis or di£iculty,
I pray that we will respond with discretion
as we lean on you and your wisdom.
Counsel
us, Holy Spirit, and awaken our senses to
be able to hear you and see you at every
turn. Give us vision and dreams so that
we will know how to ready ourselves for
the future. But even if we are blinded,
we will continue to walk in faith anyway.
We aren’t guided by what we can see, we
are guided by the truth of your Word that
forms our faith.
Increase
our wisdom so that we can be wise counsel
and encouragers for others. I pray we will
always guide them to you so that they will
have solid ground to stand on in a shaky
world. We trust you fully, that even if
nations rise and fall, you are sovereign
over the entire world and everything in
it. We may not know what the future holds,
but we surely know who holds the future.
So may we demonstrate our faith in everything
we do.
I
pray that faith will especially rise up
when we face the fiery trials of life. There
are a lot of people who feel as though they
are in the furnace right now. Oh God, I
pray that they see you walking around with
them, loosing the ties of bondage that once
held them captive, and purifying them so
that they will come out stronger than before.
For those of us who are on the outside,
feeling the warmth of a fire that may be
drawing near, give us courage so that we
do not waver or compromise before going
in. We know that every trial does not always
yield a victory that we can tangibly see.
But
our faith is not based on that world-view
of winning. Our faith is built on the victory
that we already have in Christ Jesus, our
Savior. We fight from the victory and not
for it. So we will praise you, knowing that
we’ve already won. Any di£iculty that
we may have to endure will pale in comparison
to the eternal riches and blessings that
are yet to come. This life will seem so
minute as we see the vapor that it is in
light of eternity. But while we are here
enduring it, we will trust that you are
carrying us every step of the way. You are
our deliverer, you are trustworthy, and
you are the only God who is worthy to be
praised.
King
Nebuchadnezzar declares to the world the
wonders he has witnessed Yahweh perform
before for him. He begins with how Yahweh
enabled Daniel to interpret his dream of
the great tree when no one else was capable.
Daniel's interpretation describes the king
as the great tree and how it will be chopped
down and remain humbled until he acknowledges
the Lord in Heaven as Lord of all.
The
king states Daniel had spoken a true prophecy
to him. The son of the now-deceased King
Nebuchadnezzar (historical records indicate
that he was actually the son of Nabonidus,
a successor to Nebuchadnezzar, not his direct
son; meaning the Bible portrayal is not
entirely accurate based on historical evidence)
asked that the treasures of the Temple of
Yahweh his father had stolen be brought
out to him and his guests so they may feast
with them.
A
mysterious message is written on the wall
before them with a mysterious hand. King
Belshazzar asks for anyone who might interpret
the message, and Daniel is sent before the
king. His interpretation informs that the
Lord's judgment on the king will soon come
to divide his land among foreigners. The
king promotes Daniel and the death of Belshazzar
brings Darius the Mede to power.
Daniel
finds great favor in the eyes of Darius
the Mede, and jealousy and envy brew among
his peers. A plot is devised to rid themselves
of their rival Daniel, and the king is convinced
to sign a decree of death to any who do
not worship him alone. Daniel is thrown
into the lion's den for worshiping Yahweh,
and the king is highly distraught throughout
the night. Daniel is discovered to be alive
and unharmed among the lions. In his fury,
the king throws the conspirators and their
families into the lions. Darius sends out
a decree that Yahweh is Lord of all, and
all should revere him.
PROCLAMATION
| Daniel 4:1-3
The
chapter starts by sharing King Nebuchadnezzar’s
proclamation, a beautiful testimony of God’s
greatness. This pagan king, once far from
the ways of God, now praises Yahweh, recognizing
His wonders and everlasting kingdom. God’s
power can transform the most unlikely of
hearts. This testimony is a reminder that
God can redeem anyone, no matter how lost
they may seem. Heart Check:
Are
you sharing the glory of God through the
story of your own transformation?
REPUTATION
| Daniel 5:10-12
Years
had passed, and though Daniel was no longer
in the king's inner circle, his reputation
as a man of wisdom and integrity remained.
When King Belshazzar was in desperate need
of guidance, Daniel was remembered for his
godly wisdom. Even in challenging environments,
his consistent walk with God made him a
light in a dark place. Heart Check:
What
kind of reputation proceeds you? Does it
reflect your walk with God?
PRAYER
| Daniel 6:10
Daniel's
commitment to prayer was unwavering, even
under the threat of death. He chose obedience
to God over compromise, continuing his regular
prayers despite knowing that it could cost
him his life. Daniel shows us that consistent
communication with God gives strength to
stand firm, even in life-threatening situations.
Heart Check:
Is
your prayer life consistent, even when it's
difficult to keep praying?
OBEDIENCE
| Daniel 6:4-5
Daniel’s
enemies couldn't find any fault in him because
he was faithful in all his ways. He did
not compromise his obedience to God, and
this blamelessness was what set him apart.
Daniel’s story reminds us that living a
life of unwavering obedience to God will
always stand out, even when we face opposition.
Heart Check:
Are
you living a life of uncompromising obedience
to God?
HUMILITY
| Daniel 6:20-23
After
Daniel’s miraculous deliverance from the
lions' den, King Darius humbly acknowledges
God’s power. This chapter shows us that
when we walk faithfully with God, even those
who don’t know Him will take notice and
honor Him. Humility before God brings Him
glory and transforms lives. Heart Check:
Are
you living a way that humbly points others
to God?
Deep
Dive
How
does Nebuchadnezzar's transformation in
Daniel 4 demonstrate the power of God’s
grace?
In
what ways does Daniel’s integrity in a foreign
land inspire you to stand firm in your faith
today?
What
role does prayer play in Daniel's life,
and how can you incorporate a similar prayer
discipline into your daily routine?
How
does Daniel's reputation for godliness challenge
you to refiect on your own infiuence and
witness to others?
In
Daniel 6, Daniel’s refusal to compromise
his faith almost cost him his life. What
areas of your life require greater obedience,
even when it's uncomfortable?
How
does King Darius's recognition of God’s
power in Daniel 6 reveal the importance
of humility in leadership?
Heavenly
Father, Gracious and Almighty God, we come
before You with humble hearts, thanking
You for the wisdom and lessons we've received
from the book of Daniel.
Lord,
You are the One who transforms hearts, just
as You transformed Nebuchadnezzar, and we
ask that You continue to work in us, revealing
the areas where pride may have taken root.
Help us to recognize any self-exalting attitudes
within us, and give us the strength and
courage to turn away from those desires.
Lord,
humble us in Your presence. We pray for
discernment, that we may see clearly the
ways in which we may be tempted to exalt
ourselves rather than lifting Your name
high. Change our hearts, O God, so that
our deepest desire is not for our own glory
but for Your name to be glorified in all
we do. Help us to be vessels of Your love
and truth, shining Your light into the world
with humility and grace.
Father,
we thank You for Your continued deliverance
in our lives, just as You delivered Daniel
from the lions' den. You are our shield
and protector, and we are forever grateful
for Your saving power and faithfulness.
We also thank You for the gift of Your Word,
which guides us, convicts us, and shapes
our hearts. Help us to treasure it more
each day and to walk in the wisdom that
comes from knowing You more deeply.
We
lift up our nation and its leaders, Lord,
just as You humbled King Nebuchadnezzar
and brought him to his knees in acknowledgment
of Your sovereignty. We pray that You would
humble the leaders of our land, making them
aware of Your power and guiding them toward
righteousness. Surround them with men and
women of godly character, like Daniel, who
can speak truth and wisdom into their lives.
We ask that You raise up righteous leaders,
those who will honor You in their decisions,
and we pray that You guard our hearts and
minds against the infiuence of those who
would seek to undermine truth and justice.
Lord,
help us to be on guard against the subtle
and insidious infiuence of those like the
120 satraps who conspired against Daniel.
Give us discernment to recognize those who
work in opposition to Your ways and give
us wisdom to navigate those situations with
integrity and grace. Protect Your people
from deceit and division, and give us courage
to stand for what is right, even when it
is unpopular or comes with a cost.
We
also ask for Your mercy, Lord. We know that
we fall short, and we ask for Your forgiveness
and grace to cover us. Lead us into greater
holiness and purity, just as Daniel walked
faithfully before You. May we live lives
that are uncompromising in our devotion
to You, trusting in Your strength to sustain
us.
Finally,
we pray that You would help us to be ever-mindful
of Your presence in our lives. Help us to
grow in humility, to be faithful in prayer,
and to seek Your will in all things.
May
we, like Daniel, be known as people of wisdom,
integrity, and unwavering faith. We ask
all these things in the mighty and precious
name of Jesus.
IN
Daniel Chapter 7, Daniel's past vision during
the reign of King Belshazzar, in which he
dreamed of four beasts, is recalled. He
sees three fantastic beasts coming from
the Great Sea. They resemble a lion, bear,
and leopard. A solid and dreadful fourth
beast is described with ten horns and a
little horn that begins to rise.
The
glorious Ancient of Days is described in
all His splendor. The fourth beast is slain,
and the Ancient of Days is given dominion
over all the earth. Daniel is greatly troubled
and grieved in spirit by his vision and
seeks an interpretation. He is comforted
that the Lord will defeat the four beasts
and reign forever over all the earth. The
little horn will blaspheme the Most High
and war with the saints but will ultimately
suffer defeat. Daniel remains troubled in
his heart over the vision.
IN
Daniel Chapter 8, Daniel again sees a vision.
This one has a ram with two horns, one higher
than the other. A male goat with a large
horn confronts and defeats the ram. The
goat's large horn is broken and replaced
with four horns.
One
horn grows greater than the other and exalts
itself above the others. It grows to the
host of heaven and even casts down some
of the hosts of heaven. It exalts itself
and is given an army to conquer all who
oppose it, and daily sacrifices are abolished.
For two thousand three hundred days, the
sanctuary will remain desecrated. Gabriel
is sent to give Daniel some meaning to his
visions. He clarifies the identification
of the ram, male goat, and the little horn
that will rise up.
IN
Daniel Chapter 9, Daniel begins to study
prophecy to find meaning in all he has seen
and heard regarding his vision. He searches
out all he can about the seventy years.
He prepares himself in discernment by praying
and fasting to the Lord. He confesses the
sins of the children of the Lord and gives
glory to Yahweh. He pleads for forgiveness
on behalf of the people and for the Lord
to restore His holy city, Jerusalem.
Gabriel
again visits Daniel and provides meaning
for the seventy weeks and all that will
happen during this designated period.
FERVENT
PRAYER | Daniel 9:3-19
This
is considered one of the Bible's greatest
and most fervent prayers. When we examine
this prayer, the first thing we see is how
intentional Daniel was in posture, with
direct boldness but also humility and sorrow.
It very much reminds me of the way Jesus
prays in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Then
Daniel goes a step further and couples this
with fasting. This wasn’t a “rub-a-dub-dub,
thanks for the grub” kind of prayer—it was
serious business for him. He knew he needed
to be clear-headed and focused to hear an
answer from the Lord.
Then
the structure of the prayer started with
adoration for God, just the same with that
Jesus taught us to pray. Daniel says, “O
Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps covenant
and steadfast love with those who love him…”
He based his prayer on what he knew of God,
meaning it was based on God’s word, His
character, and His commandments.
The
more you study God’s Word and practice speaking
His Word in your prayers, the more your
faith will grow through it. Daniel was also
very specific in the way he confessed of
sin—he didn’t just run a blanket, “Please
forgive us for our sins.”
He
acknowledged exactly where they had gone
wrong. He kept the prayer focused more on
God than himself, and he had no shame in
pleading for mercy and forgiveness. And
the best part—this prayer can be read in
under 3 minutes. It wasn’t drawn out for
hours and it wasn’t full of religious jargon.
It was simply honest and raw.
And
that’s all God from wants. We can all carry
these same elements that Daniel did and
have very different-sounding prayers because
we’re all in di£erent places in our
journeys and communicate di£erently.
But the beauty is that effective prayer
isn’t based on length and profundity. It
is based on faith and purity. Heart Check.
How
effective are your prayers? In knowing what
an effective prayer looks like, what area
can you improve in?
Deep
Dive
What
is the importance of studying eschatology
(theology of end times)? How does it apply
to us personally?
What
evidence in the Bible describes the Ancient
of Days as God the Father and Son of Man
as Jesus?
How
do we remain vigilant, even when knowing
that God is in control of future events?
Are
there any comforting messages in these prophecies?
Heavenly
Father, our great and awesome God, we thank you for
opening up heaven for us today.
Thank
you for giving us a heavenly perspective
of your plans. What a gift it is to know
the end of the story and to know that there
will be ultimate victory. We are once again
reminded that any trial or tribulation we
face on this earth will not last forever.
And all that striving we are doing to become
successful is for something that is only
temporary. This helps us to take a load
o£ today and to simply trust in you,
our just and sovereign King. You are the
Ancient of Days, the Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the end, and all dominion,
power, and glory belong to you. That is
something that is certain and everlasting.
We
thank you, Jesus, for being our Advocate
and our attorney when we do stand before
the bema seat to give account. Because of
what you’ve done, we’ve already been declared
innocent, and all of our sin is thrown into
the fire, burnt away for good, and never
to be remembered. Because of what you have
done, we will live eternally with you in
all of your glory. We are already getting
a taste of it now— I can’t imagine what
heaven will be like! So may we not be distressed
by any lack of understanding. You have continued
to spell out what all of this means, so
I pray that our hearts will be comforted
in knowing that all of it is good news for
those who faithfully follow after you.
We
know that you delight in revealing yourself
to people. Thank you for the double gift
of both the Bible itself but the many years
of studying and interpretation of it by
scholars so that we are not left dazed and
confused while reading. Thank you for those
who have committed themselves to teaching
us.
Please
continue to allow all ministers to rightly
handle your word so that there is nothing
that will mislead us in any way. May your
hand continue to be upon this ministry in
the same way. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for
being our divine teacher and revealer of
your truth. May our ears always be tuned
in to your frequency so that we can be prepared
for what is to come. I pray that we understand
the importance of living holy lives until
the coming of that day, and help us to get
others ready as well.
Thank
you for showing us what e£ective and
fervent prayer looks like. Sometimes we
can get so intimidated by the way others’
pray, but we know that the e£ective
and fervent prayer of the righteous avails
much, meaning it’s less about the words
and more about the condition of the heart.
But
we also recognize that prayer can be taught
and it can be strengthened. I am so grateful
for the way you have been teaching us to
pray your Word. I ask for everyone here
to be able to open their mouths today and
speak in a way they’ve never spoken before
to you. I pray they will take the time to
write out their prayers and not allow a
tongue tie to keep them from speaking.
Written
word is just as powerful. Paul wasn’t the
greatest orator, yet he spoke some of the
most powerful messages through letters.
So whatever way we are able to speak to
you, I pray that we will put more effort
and that there will be more prayer warriors
that are birthed right here. We want to
be a praying people, because we know that
prayer changes our hearts and our perspectives,
which is the catalyst for change in the
world. And even though we know that you
are ultimately in control and that your
will be done on earth as it is in heaven,
we will not become complacent in our pleading
and our fellowship with you.
In
Daniel chapter 10, Daniel is in deep contemplation
and mourning of the recent vision he had
just had.He recalls the encounter he had
with a glorious being near the river Tigris
and the message he received.The man tells
Daniel of the opposition he faced trying
to bring the message to him. He comforts
Daniel and renews a strength in him to be
able to accept the message that will be
provided in the following chapter.
In
Daniel chapter 11, A prophecy is given to
Daniel of future kings and the battles and
trials that will occur. There is a mix of
near future prophecy to come upon the Lord's
people, and the ultimate fulfillment of
prophecy in the Day of the Lord. The division
of the Greek Empire, the rising of a mighty
king and the ongoing power struggle between
kings of the North and kings of the South
that will a£ect the known world.
Out
of the power struggles of the previous kings,
there will be a person who will rise up
in a peaceful manner and then bring great
destruction on all who oppose him. He will
seek the destruction of those under the
holy covenant of the Lord, and live in great
rebellion against Yahweh. The one who will
come in power and destruction will be ultimately
defeated, and there will be no one who will
be able to help him.
In
Daniel chapter 12, Daniel is told that Israel
will face a future time of trouble, but
all those whose name is written in the book
will be saved and delivered. A prophecy
of resurrection is declared, and Daniel
is commanded to seal up the words and the
book until the time of the end.
Daniel
inquires as to the length of the times of
trouble. The Lord provides an answer and
declares for the sake of the love and preservation
of His people, the times of trouble will
not last greater than 1290 days.
ISOLATION
| Daniel 10:7-8
Daniel
is about to receive revelation but notice
that he didn’t see the vision until he was
left alone. Studies show that one in one-in-two
adults say they feel lonely, and loneliness
has now been declared an epidemic.
Technology
has allowed us to connect, yet we are more
disconnected than ever. Because the enemy
knows this, he will continue to isolate
us further from the truth by creating noise
and distractions so that he can whisper
lies and make us think that we are alone
and without hope.
But
as Christians, isolation is almost necessary.
Some of the most powerful moments in the
Bible are when he has happened in isolation.
Jesus would go to the mountain alone to
pray. John received the Book of Revelation
on an island.
I
have said before that I often heard from
the Lord the clearest when I was in wilderness
seasons. This is why I wake up between 2
and 3 in the morning to study His Word.
But it takes persistence. Daniel pressed
in for three weeks before he got an answer.
Heart Check.
Do
you allow youself to be alone and distraction
free with the Lord?
FRESH
TOUCH | Daniel 10:10-19
I
love this. When Daniel was scared, the angel
reassured him that he had nothing to fear.
When Daniel fell, the angel stood him up.
When he couldn’t speak, the angel restored
his speech—all with a single touch! Sometimes,
we just need to cry out for a fresh touch
from the Lord. Heart Check.
Do
you need a fresh touch from him today? A
fresh touch of peace, healing, strength,
love? Have you ask for it?
SPIRITUAL
BATTLES | Daniel 10:19
And
the best part-- when Daniel had no strength,
the angel strengthened him as he spoke to
him. He was strengthened and received a
fresh touch from the Lord while he was on
his knees in prayer!
As
we face spiritual battles, prayer is our
weapon. Battles are not won when we yell
at our husbands, fight with a co-worker
or a friend, or troll people on the internet.
Remember,
people are not our enemy! The real enemy
is in the spiritual arena. The real battle
is won in prayer. And Daniel modeled this
for us through his humble, fervent, and
persistent prayer. He didn’t give up after
two days of silence. He pressed for 21 days.
What
if he had stopped at day 20? Would Michael
have shown up? Heart Check.
What
battles are you fighting? What weapons are
you using? Are you winning? Where does prayer
fall into the mix?
BOOK
OF LIFE | Daniel 12:1
Many
people don’t like studying the end times
because it seems scary and can invoke fear
if you miss verses like this one. The angel
is reassuring Daniel (and therefore us)
that there’s no need to worry if your name
is written in the Book of Life! In other
words, if you received Jesus as your Lord
and Savior, your name is in that book. Plain
and simple. There’s no need to question
it. Heart Check.
Is
your name in the Book of Life? Have you
received Jesus?
Deep
Dive
What
promises are being fulfilled? How does this
affirm your faith?
What
significance do the temple items hold for
the Israelites? What would be the equivalent
for the church today?
How
significant is the rebuilding of the temple
both in this time and in the future?
What
themes do you see playing out in these chapters?
What
character traits or heartbeats of God are
on display?
Heavenly
Father, You truly are the Promise Keeper.
We
are seeing, day by day, how you have kept
your word and fulfilled your promises, and
it leaves us in awe. Your promises to return
your people and to restore their land is
evident today, yet we know you are not done.
You
made what seemed impossible possible for
the people of Israel. They got to go back
home. And we will too one day. We get to
go to our heavenly home, the place that
our hearts long for every single day.
This
is why we are so anxious on this earth,
because we long for heaven, and nothing
here can satisfy. Show us the way, and we
will continue to move with you, knowing
that you are with us as we make the journey.
I pray that we will not be discouraged by
the roadblocks or opposition we face along
the way. There is nothing that can stop
us when we are with you.
Thank
you for being the restorer of broken things.
Some of us have made a real mess of our
lives, but you are our redeemer. That means
that you bring back to life what was once
dead. You restore the tattered and broken
parts of our lives and make them into something
even better.
And
you aren’t finished with us either. We have
the hope of a glorious ending, so I pray
that we will surrender all to you today
and never look back to what once was. We
want to walk with you and live our lives
in complete obedience and holiness. We know
that your plan and purpose for our lives
is the best life we could possibly live,
so if we haven’t hopped on that train yet,
stir our hearts. You’ve already given us
the ticket to get on board. Thank you for
that invitation to ride with you on this
journey of life. May your Word and your
Holy Spirit continue to give us direction.
We
know that you don’t only stir the hearts
of your people, but of others as well. You
can use anyone and anything for your purpose,
so I pray that there will be a response
to your movement. Move their hands and feet
for your purpose. And as we watch it happen,
we will trust in your providence and sovereignty,
knowing that you are in control of every
detail. I pray that we will be encouragers
and generous in helping others in their
journeys, especially if we see them having
to pick up the pieces or start over. We
are your hands and feet, Jesus, so may others
see you working in and through us.
I
pray that we will walk in authority, knowing
that our calling and election are sure.
We are children of the Most High, and because
so, we are able to fully devote ourselves,
without question, to your service.
Your
Holy Spirit bears witness to this, so I
pray that we will rest assured of it. And
we also know that when you will something,
you will always provide for it.
But
this doesn’t mean that we sit back and wait
for the blessing. Sometimes it requires
us to be the provider for others. So if
you prompt our hearts to give, I pray that
we will do so willingly and without hesitation.
I pray that we will be champions of unity
in the church as we fulfill the role that
you have carved out for us. And there is
nothing that is too small or too insignificant.
Every gift matters, whether it is the time
we spend or the talent or treasure we bring.
As long as it is freely given without grudge
or bitterness, it is a pleasing o£ering
to you. Help us to see the bigger picture
so that it is more meaningful to us.
For
those who may be in a season of rebuilding,
I pray that you will give them the resilience
and faith they need to begin clearing the
ruins and laying the foundation for something
new. I pray they will not get discouraged
by any naysayers or by the hard work that
it will take to get there. I pray they will
stay focused on you and maintain their spiritual
health and worship of you over all else.
May we never become more focused on the
physical aspects of church buildings and
services than the spirit of worship that
happens in them. I pray worship will always
come first, just as it did with the Israelites.
Help
us to be fiexible in allowing any changes
you may be trying to make in our lives.
I pray that we will stay rooted in your
word and closely knitted with other believers
so that we can continue to strengthen our
faith. May we be champions of the faith
and always working for the salvation and
faith walks of others. That is our commission
and we are are here for it.
In
Ezra Chapter 1, Cyrus, the king of Persia,
begins an inquiry into the children of Israel
with prompting from the Lord. Cyrus writes
a decree allowing the people to return to
Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple of the
Lord. The children of Israel were blessed
with treasures and encouraged by the people
of Persia to journey back to their land
and rebuild their Temple to the Lord. King
Cyrus returned all the silver and gold articles
taken from the Temple during the Babylonian
army invasion to the people of Israel.
In
Ezra Chapter 2, Ezra presents a detailed
record of the people who left the exile
and returned to Judah. He provides a complete
list of the heads of the families of Judah
and Jerusalem. The priests, Levites, and
temple workers who made the long journey
back are also mentioned, along with the
palace servants who have remained faithful
to the royal family since Solomon's time.
A
total sum of 40,360 people of Judah, along
with their male and female servants, provided
animals. A free o£ering of treasures
from the heads of the families is given
to rebuild the Temple.
In
Ezra Chapter 3, The Lord's altar is rebuilt
on its bases, and the people offer the commanded
morning and evening burnt o£erings
to the Lord in accordance with His statutes.
The Feast of Tabernacles and all other commanded
feasts are reestablished. The people begin
to prepare for the rebuilding of the Temple
as they gather the needed workers and supplies
for its construction.
A
great noise is heard for a great distance,
as the people rejoice, worship, and weep
during this momentous occasion to the Lord.
MOVING
WITH GOD | Ezra 1:5
Only
a tiny remnant returned, namely the people
of Judah and Benjamin. Part of the reason
is that they remember their homeland, as
it had only been 48 years since they were
exiled.
But
for the northern tribes, it had been more
than 150 years. They were so far removed
and likely comfortable in their new life
in Babylon. Not only that, but the journey
back to Jerusalem would take four months,
it would be dangerous, there would be enemies
along the way, and it’s not like they were
returning to the good ol’ days. They would
have to start rebuilding from ground zero
with minimal resources.
Yet,
some faithful ones were willing to give
it all up and place the desires of the Lord
before their own. They were willing to move
with Him. Heart Check.
Would
you be willing to give up your current comforts
and start over if the Lord told you to?
Are you willing to move with Him when He
opens new opportunities?
GOD
OF THE IMPOSSIBLE | Ezra 1
In
the end, we see that God kept His promise.
He said the people would be gathered back
to their homeland, and He is not only making
a way where there seemed to be no way, but
He is making provision for it. He is the
God of the impossible! He is the Promise
Keeper!
I
can testify to this. Living in Hawaii, I
always had a longing in my heart to be able
to live in the Continental U.S. once again.
I longed for “bigger pastures” and to be
able to open up new opportunities for my
children, but it was one of those dreams
that I said would come true in heaven. I
never, in a million years, thought my husband
would move. He is a true local Hawaiian
boy, through and through.
He
surfs, he fishes, and the ocean was literally
our backyard. Yet God stirred his spirit,
and here we are, living that dream. He kept
the promise that I didn’t even know existed.
Heart Check.
What
impossible situation are you longing for?
Do you believe that the God of the impossible
can make a way?
BUILDING
RESOURCES | Ezra 2
In
the fulfilling of this promise for the rebuilding
of Jerusalem, God doesn’t just command it.
He also provides for it. But the thing we
must recognize is that when we call God
our Provider, He provides through us. Resources
don’t just fall out of the sky (although
they very well could if He should choose
to do so). He stirred the hearts of the
people to partner with Him and give. The
ones who stayed behind had a responsibility
to help support the ones who would go and
do the physical work. Those who returned
to do the work would also freely and generously
give “according to their ability” so that
the work could begin. We all have something
to give (time, talent, or treasure) in the
building of the church today. Heart Check.
What
role are you playing in building God's kingdom?
What ability do you have to freely and generously
give from?
BEGIN
| Ezra 3:1-7
Even
though they couldn’t yet build the temple,
they did what they could to reinstate worship
to the Lord once again. They knew their
spiritual well-being was more important
than their physical protection. I tend to
be the type of person who needs to have
all the things and learn everything I can
before I begin something. But that typically
leads to me quitting before I even start
because the “things” and the learning never
ends. But when it comes to the work of the
ministry, I do what I can. I started this
Bible study with a cell phone and a ring
light. That’s it. I simply did what I could
rather than allowing imperfection or the
magnitude of finishing hold me back. Heart
Check.
Is
there something the Lord has called you
to do that you haven't yet started? What's
holding you back? What is something that
you can do to begin the process of building?
GLORY
| Ezra 3:13
Here
we see a mixed bag of emotions. While most
are rejoicing over the fact that they have
a temple again, many of them remembering
the temple that was destroyed 50 years prior,
there are some who are disappointed in this
fulfillment because the temple doesn’t appear
to be as glorious as the one before it.
But we know that the Lord said the glory
of this temple would exceed the former glory
(Haggai 2:9), but they’re simply caught
in the comparison trap. They’re looking
at the new thing that God is doing and measuring
it by the standards of old and by their
own human standards.
They
can’t see how Jesus Himself would one day
walk, teach, and minister here. They were
too busy looking back to what once was.
This is why we have to be forward-focused
and not look around at what everyone else’s
glory looks like. If we do that, we will
miss the new thing that God is trying to
build in and through us. Heart Check.
What
are you finding glory in? The days of old?
Or what God is doing today for the future?
Are you comparing your temple to someone
else's?
Deep
Dive
What
promises are being fulfilled? How does this
affirm your faith?
What
significance do the temple items hold for
the Israelites? What would be the equivalent
for the church today?
How
significant is the rebuilding of the temple
both in this time and in the future?
What
themes do you see playing out in these chapters?
What
character traits or heartbeats of God are
on display?
Heavenly
Father, You truly are the Promise Keeper.
We
are seeing, day by day, how you have kept
your word and fulfilled your promises, and
it leaves us in awe. Your promises to return
your people and to restore their land is
evident today, yet we know you are not done.
You made what seemed impossible possible
for the people of Israel. They got to go
back home. And we will too one day. We get
to go to our heavenly home, the place that
our hearts long for every single day. This
is why we are so anxious on this earth,
because we long for heaven, and nothing
here can satisfy. Show us the way, and we
will continue to move with you, knowing
that you are with us as we make the journey.
I pray that we will not be discouraged by
the roadblocks or opposition we face along
the way. There is nothing that can stop
us when we are with you.
Thank
you for being the restorer of broken things.
Some of us have made a real mess of our
lives, but you are our redeemer. That means
that you bring back to life what was once
dead. You restore the tattered and broken
parts of our lives and make them into something
even better. And you aren’t finished with
us either. We have the hope of a glorious
ending, so I pray that we will surrender
all to you today and never look back to
what once was. We want to walk with you
and live our lives in complete obedience
and holiness. We know that your plan and
purpose for our lives is the best life we
could possibly live, so if we haven’t hopped
on that train yet, stir our hearts. You’ve
already given us the ticket to get on board.
Thank you for that invitation to ride with
you on this journey of life. May your Word
and your Holy Spirit continue to give us
direction.
We
know that you don’t only stir the hearts
of your people, but of others as well. You
can use anyone and anything for your purpose,
so I pray that there will be a response
to your movement. Move their hands and feet
for your purpose. And as we watch it happen,
we will trust in your providence and sovereignty,
knowing that you are in control of every
detail. I pray that we will be encouragers
and generous in helping others in their
journeys, especially if we see them having
to pick up the pieces or start over. We
are your hands and feet, Jesus, so may others
see you working in and through us.
I
pray that we will walk in authority, knowing
that our calling and election are sure.
We are children of the Most High, and because
so, we are able to fully devote ourselves,
without question, to your service. Your
Holy Spirit bears witness to this, so I
pray that we will rest assured of it. And
we also know that when you will something,
you will always provide for it. But this
doesn’t mean that we sit back and wait for
the blessing.
Sometimes
it requires us to be the provider for others.
So if you prompt our hearts to give, I pray
that we will do so willingly and without
hesitation.
I
pray that we will be champions of unity
in the church as we fulfill the role that
you have carved out for us. And there is
nothing that is too small or too insignificant.
Every gift matters, whether it is the time
we spend or the talent or treasure we bring.
As long as it is freely given without grudge
or bitterness, it is a pleasing o£ering
to you. Help us to see the bigger picture
so that it is more meaningful to us.
For
those who may be in a season of rebuilding,
I pray that you will give them the resilience
and faith they need to begin clearing the
ruins and laying the foundation for something
new. I pray they will not get discouraged
by any naysayers or by the hard work that
it will take to get there. I pray they will
stay focused on you and maintain their spiritual
health and worship of you over all else.
May we never become more focused on the
physical aspects of church buildings and
services than the spirit of worship that
happens in them. I pray worship will always
come first, just as it did with the Israelites.
Ezra
4 The enemies of the people of Judah deceptively
approach Zerubbabel to gain his permission
to join in the rebuilding of the Temple
of the God of Israel. Zerubbabel wisely
refuses their o£er, as the Lord has
called them alone to rebuild His Temple.
For
numerous years, people in the surrounding
lands continued to frustrate and discourage
the efforts of Judah's faithfulness to the
Lord. They used deceptive counsel before
the kings of Persia: Cyrus, Darius, and
Ahasuerus, and Artaxerxes. Efforts to stop
the rebuilding of Jerusalem were successful
under Artaxerxes, as they reminded the king
of Israel's past rebellions against the
nations. Hope arises again as the new King
Darius reconsiders the matter of the rebuilding
of Jerusalem and Temple.
Ezra
5 Restoration on the Temple will precede
once again, as the prophets Haggai and Ezra
are introduced. Tattenai, the Persian selected
governor of Judah, corresponds to King Darius
regarding the people's resolve to continue
construction on the Temple and Jerusalem.
He judiciously asks the people to cease
construction until he is able to write to
the king for his ruling on the matter so
as to not appear rebellious against the
crown.
Ezra
6 King Darius commands that a search is
made for the decree of King Cyrus, in which
he had allowed for the rebuilding of the
Temple and city walls of Jerusalem. The
decree of Cyrus is found and King Darius
sends word to Tattenai to allow the people
of Judah to continue construction of their
holy sites.
The
reconstruction of the second Temple of the
Lord is finally completed. A dedication
ceremony and sacrifices are offered before
the Lord to consecrate it. The priests,
Levites, and all other temple services are
assigned. The Passover is celebrated for
the first time in Jerusalem since the city's
destruction and the people were taken into
exile.
Psalm
137 A lament of Zion from the exiles of
Judah is sung. The call to never forget
Jerusalem even in exile is sung, and to
never forget what the nations did to the
Lord's glorious city.
A
declaration of rejoicing is sung over judgment
that came upon Babylon who brought down
Jerusalem and humbled her.
BUILDING
CONCERNS | Ezra 4:2
Oh
boy, the Samaritans are trying to gain power
and infiuence over the newcomers right away,
and they’re doing so by trying to establish
a connection with them. They’re saying,
“We have been worshipping your God this
whole time.”
But
what they failed to realize is that since
the days of Esarhaddon, there has been no
temple or priests to carry out proper worship,
meaning their worship is half-hearted and
mixed with idolatry.
God
is just another one of their many gods to
whom they offer their allegiance to. So
this temple is more about them than it is
about God. This is a very subtle but real
thing that still takes place today. When
we are more concerned with ourselves than
God, we will tend to be critical of the
church or ministries, we will look for faults
rather than looking for the move of God,
we will serve God for the sake of gaining
something, we will be disappointed when
we aren’t recognized or praised, and the
list goes on.
One
of the best ways to know if this is half-hearted
worship is happening in your heart… Heart
Check.
Are
you more concerned with the building of
the church yourself? How do you feel when
others around you are being built up and
given opportunities? Do you wonder why it's
them and not you? Or are you able to bless
and support them?
FACING
OPPOSITION | Ezra 4:1-6
Here,
we see three primary tactics that the enemy
still uses today to try to defeat us.
Because
he knows that persecution has historically
strengthened the church, he will take on
this attitude of “if you can’t beat ‘em,
join ‘em.” And he has—he has infiltrated
the church, and this is why we see watered
down Christianity.
With
us personally, he does the same thing by
attempting to get you to compromise your
faith by proposing unhealthy alliances or
unequal yokes with people.
In
doing this, compromise is inevitable. For
him, this is a win if it means God’s glory
is tainted. Once he gets you into this place
of weakness, he will begin to discourage
and intimidate you once again and even accuse
you in an unjust manner. His goal: to get
you to quit. Our job is to recognize this
and keep plowing. Heart Check.
Do
you recognize opposition and resist it?
Or does it cause you to give up?
RIGHTEOUS
REFUSAL | Ezra 4:3
It’s
encouraging to see that the people righteously
refused the Samaritan’s attempt to join
them. This took discernment and wisdom,
but more importantly, it took courage to
say no. This is where I have fallen weak
in the past. Because I’m a “yes girl” and
because I didn’t deal with my issues of
abandonment and rejection, I used to have
a hard time rejecting or refusing, even
when I knew it was bad for me. It was almost
as if I didn’t want to make the enemy feel
bad. Sounds twisted, but it’s more common
than you think. Heart Check.
Are
you able to say no or righteously refuse
when you are being baited or lured in?
**THE
SOLUTION: stay watchful of these enemy
tactics, steer clear of them, stay close
to Jesus, stay rooted in your church or
fellowship, get accountability partners
REJECTION
| Ezra 4:16
If
the Samaritans were genuine in their desire
to help build the walls, they wouldn’t have
reacted in this way.
But
because they were rejected and didn’t get
their way, they went and tattled like little
toddlers in an attempt to ruin the project.
Sometimes God will tell us no when we want
a certain position or job, and sometimes
it’s because we simply aren’t ready for
it.
Perhaps
He wants us to work on our skills, or even
more importantly, our character. In those
moments of rejection, we are faced with
an opportunity to grow and to hone our skills.
But if we become bitter like the Samaritans,
we will completely ruin this beautiful moment
of rejoicing in the face of rejection. Heart
Check.
How
do you handle rejection? Do you see it as
an opportunity to grow? Or do you become
bitter?
ALLEGIANCE
| Ezra 5:11-13
This
was a bold answer by the Persian governor
in the face of this opposition. They were
basically saying, “God gave us permission…
through King Cyrus.”
They
declared their allegiance to God first before
the people. I imagine they had to keep this
at the front of their minds to be bold because
otherwise, they would’ve been paralyzed
by fear. If we feel like we are constantly
walking on eggshells or tiptoeing around
o£ending or pleasing people, we will
never be adequate.
But
if we maintain our allegiance to God first
and people second, we can boldly speak and
live in such a way that proves who we serve.
Heart Check.
Where
is your allegiance? Is it to God first and
people second? Do you live to offend no
one and please everyone? Or do you simply
live to please God?
BE
AN ENCOURAGER | Ezra 6:13-15
The
temple was finished, and Haggai and Zecheriah
get major props for it. This shows us how
significant prophesy and encouragement can
be in the building and finishing of God’s
work. We need to be encouragers! Heart Check.
How
have you encouraged someone today? Are you
an encourager?
Deep
Dive
Where
do you see a mix of worship and culture?
Is there compromise attached to it?
Where
do you see opposition in the building of
God’s kingdom? Who is doing it? What are
the tactics? How do we resist?
How
do we do God’s work that may face pushback
from government or authorities? When is
it permissible to break the command to be
submissive to them?
What
role does the verification of truth play
in resolving confiict?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for the reminder that
opposition is to be expected but not feared.
In
fact, when we face opposition, this should
bolster our faith, for we know that we are
doing something that is intimidating the
enemy. He isn’t so much worried about those
who aren’t doing your work, so if he isn’t
bugging us, that’s when we should really
be concerned. Thank you for the challenge
to keep trusting you, your timing, and your
divine purpose for our lives.
You
are a God who continually builds up, and
we are your workers. So may we focus on
the work that is yet to be done rather than
fault-finding. We desire to build the kingdom
and to build the church.
None
of us are truly qualified in our own right,
but by your strength and your anointing,
we can carry out the job that you have given
us. Help us to do that. We know the enemy
will try to disqualify and intimidate us
at every turn, but he is not our master.
You are. So we refuse to listen to his slimy
tactics and we will righteously refuse his
attempts to partner with us. We know that
your truth will prevail, even if there is
a veneer of our past over it. Our past does
not dictate our future, so we will not allow
the enemy to hold it over our heads.
We
declare that we have been set free from
the condemnation of our past sin. We will
not be intimidated and we will not compromise.
If he can’t discourage us through disqualification,
he will also switch tactics and make us
thinK that we are better than we are and
deserving of something we aren’t ready for.
Help us also to guard our hearts against
this selfish outlook.
I
pray that we will stay focused on what true
worship and service to you is so that we
do not begin to turn our focus inward and
look for ways for worship to benefit us.
It is all about you, and that’s where we
want to stay. I pray we will continue to
be watchful and stay close to you. We don’t
want to focus so much on the opposition
and the enemy that we lose sight of you.
So
may our worship be the priority so that
we won’t even have time to give him the
attention that he is so desperately trying
to get. Give us the strength and courage
to say no where necessary, and may we keep
our integrity in every decision we make.
And may every opposition be turned into
an opportunity to grow and become better
rather than bitter, for we know that you
can turn any opposition into a blessing.
Where
we may not be directly involved in the physical
work of the ministry, I pray that we will
be an amazing support team in the way that
we pray for, edify, exhort, build up, and
give in any other way.
May
we be the Haggais and the Zecheriahs who
are not only cheering others on but also
helping them out. And we thank you that
your work will continue as your divine hand
guides us, and your providence shelters
us to get it done. May our spirits be recharged
and may our fire be rekindled today to work
diligently and to prosper in everything
we do for you.
In
Haggai chapter one, the Lord chastises His
people, through the prophet Haggai, for
their excuses for delaying rebuilding His
Temple. The Lord questions why they do not
have the same excuses as they build their
beautiful houses.
With
their priorities out of order, they see
no blessings and never seem satisfied. The
Lord attempts to explain to them that they
have a permanent void without Him first
in their lives. They must rebuild the Temple
now. Haggai's words from the Lord bring
the people to revere the Lord and obey His
command to rebuild the Temple of the Lord.
The Lord provides them the strength and
desire to work joyously in their construction
efforts.
In
Haggai chapter two, the people need
more enthusiasm for beautifying the Lord's
temple as they begin to compare their e£orts
with the result of Solomon's. The Lord gives
Zerubabbel and Joshua, the High Priest,
hope and encouragement that when it is completed,
this temple will be more glorious than Solomon's.
The Lord promises that He will supply the
resources needed to fulfill His prophecy.
Haggai
questions the priests' methods and spiritual
nature of purity and cleanliness. The Lord
promises hope and blessing and declares
His sovereignty over all the nations. Zerubabbel
is declared to be chosen by the Lord, and
He will raise him up in kingly authority.
A lament of Zion from the exiles of Judah
is sung.
The
call to never forget Jerusalem even in exile
is sung, and to never forget what the nations
did to the Lord's glorious city.A declaration
of rejoicing is sung over judgment that
came upon Babylon who brought down Jerusalem
and humbled her.
PROCRASTINATION
| Haggai 1:2
The
people knew they were commissioned to rebuild
the temple, so they would never be able
to excuse not doing so. Instead, they procrastinated
and said, “It just isn’t God’s timing yet.”
They
were rationalizing their disobedience by
trying to sound spiritual. Some of the reasons
why they may have felt that it wasn’t the
right time were that the land was still
desolate, they knew how hard it would be
to do the work, they had limited resources
and workers, they were thinking about the
easier life they had back in Babylon,. Their
future wasn’t looking so hot with drought
and crop failure all around them. We can
sometimes do this when facing a di£icult
road ahead by saying, “It must not be meant
to be.”
Or
we will delay our obedience by saying, “Not
yet. It isn’t God’s timing,” even though
we know very well that God told us to do
the thing. The devil loves to use procrastination
to hinder us from doing God’s work. He won’t
tell us not to do something because that
would be absurd, but he will convince us
that we can get to it later. But we must
remember that there is never a wrong time
to do the right thing. Heart Check.
Are
you trying to rationalize your disobedience
and procrastinating in doing the thing?
MISORDERED
PRIORITIES | Haggai 1:4
With
stone being the main building material in
this day, wood panels were a luxury, and
not everyone had the privilege of living
in a paneled house.
The
important thing to note here is that the
paneled houses were not the problem. The
issue was that they somehow had time to
panel their houses and buy all the seasonal
décor at Hobby Lobby but didn’t have
time to build the temple.
In
other words, their priorities were out of
whack and God did not come first. This was
very di£erent from the way Solomon
built the first temple before he built his
palace.
These
people had little palaces all over the place
while the temple was lying in ruins.
Many
of us will say that God is first in our
lives, until it comes time to tithing or
giving an o£ering, or we skip out
on church every weekend because we have
so much to do.
Sometimes
we put everyone else first and completely
neglect our own temple by neglecting self-care
or our general health.
Others
may even put the work of the ministry above
their worship. And the rest of us feel like
we are on a hamster wheel going nowhere
fast. Everyone’s story is di£erent,
but the Heart Check is the same.
What
are your priorities? Are they in order?
Does God truly come first? Or is comfort
and convenience the priority?
CONSIDER
YOUR WAYS | Haggai 1:5-6
The
people are living paycheck to paycheck and
experiencing constant setbacks. For them,
experiencing financial hardship or poor
harvests were considered a curse from God
due to disobedience.
It
wasn’t just a stint of bad luck or hardship
due to infiation. This also wasn’t a reversal
of the prosperity gospel, where God would
make them rich if they did what He said.
It was the consideration that God has designed
the world in a way that functions the best
when our actions are aligned with His will.
Others
may have been okay financially, but nothing
they did or bought truly made them happy.
So when Haggai tells them to consider their
ways, this Hebrew figure of speech literally
meant “put your heart on your roads.” In
other words… Heart Check.
What
road are you going down? Does the trajectory
look good? What led you here? Is your attitude
good? Do you want to keep heading in this
direction?
SPIRITUAL
DROUGHT | Haggai 1:11
Because
the people failed to build the temple, God
called for a drought.
Sometimes
we experience spiritual drought, and we
will often say, “The Devil’s attacking,”
but I think we give the devil way too much
credit.
Sometimes
spiritual dryness may come from God withholding
the joy or the anointing of the Spirit so
that you can take a look at where you might
be busying yourself in everything else while
neglecting the foundational things of your
faith like prayer, devotions, obedience,
being loving to people, forgiveness… it’s
always an opportunity to do a Heart Check.
Are
you flourishing or are you experiencing
drought? Are you blaming the devil? Have
you considered where you may be busying
yourself in other things while neglecting
the foundational aspects od your faith?
LEADERSHIP
| Haggai 1:12
The
beautiful thing here is that we see the
leaders obeying and the people following.
This is the age old example of “follow the
leader.” Whether we want to accept it or
not, we are all, in some way, a leader.
No matter where you are, no matter how old
or how young, there is someone who is following
your lead. Whether it’s your children, your
friends, your co-workers, someone on your
team, your neighbor, we all bear the responsibility
of being an example and paving a path. Heart
Check.
Who
are you leading? Who’s following your example?
What kind of path are you paving for them?
WEAKNESS
| Haggai 2:4-5
Fear
is usually predicated on some sort of weakness.
We fear the future because we are weak in
our knowledge of it or we are weak in our
faith. We fear failure because we feel we
are not competent or skilled enough to get
the job done. This is why the Lord told
them, three times, to be strong before He
even said, “Get to work.” Paul says to delight
in our weaknesses, for when we are weak,
we are actually strong, because God’s strength
is made perfect in our weakness. His grace
is su£icient for every fear and every
weakness. So He reminds them that He is
with them, and therefore they do not need
to fear. Heart Check.
What
areas do you feel you are weak in? How is
it creating fear in you? How might God’s
strength be perfected in those weaknesses?
Deep
Dive
What
does the rebuilding of the temple signify
spiritually?
Why
was there such an emphasis on the temple
itself? Is it still relevant today?
How
does God’s a£irmation of “I am with
you” motivate the people? How does it infiuence
you?
How
does the promise of greater glory apply
to our lives today?
Is
there a spiritual significance in the signet
ring for believers?
What
character traits or heartbeats of God can
be seen in today’s reading? What are the
major themes of these chapters?
We
hear the call to stop procrastinating and
get to work. Thank you for this reminder
today. Thank you for stirring our spirits.
I pray that we will see this prophetic word
and directly apply it to our own lives.
We are the holy temples in which your Spirit
dwells, so I pray that we never neglect
that. Forgive us if we have busied ourselves
with other things and have neglected to
put you first. Forgive us if we have laid
a good foundation but have failed to continue
building upon it. Show us where we may have
fallen o£ the path.
There
is always room for growth and improvement,
so I pray that we constantly consider our
ways and search our hearts so that we can
see where we’re headed and where we may
have veered o£ course. We desire to
seek you first and the kingdom of God, and
we know that when we do, everything else
that we’re striving for or longing for will
be added unto us. Without you, nothing on
this earth will ever satisfy. So keep us
close to you always.
We
pray against the spirit of procrastination.
We know that is one of the devil’s favorite
tools. If he can’t make us bad, he will
make us busy. He will dangle little carrots
or squirrels of distraction in front of
our faces so that we will look in every
other direction except in the direction
that you’re walking. Keep us focused and
steadfast. I pray that we will not be discouraged
by the end goal but will simply take one
step at a time, one foot in front of the
other, moving in the right direction. If
we do that, there’s no way that we can be
stopped. We trust that you are with us,
just as you promised you would be, so let
all fear and bondage be loosed from us today.
For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there
is freedom. Freedom to walk, freedom to
dance, freedom to shout with joy in our
hearts.
We
will not allow the devil to keep us shackled
with doubt. But also forgive us where we
have given him just a little too much credit.
Every setback isn’t always his doing. Sometimes
we experience drought because we are the
ones who are in the way of your blessing.
We have either gone o£-roading or
there is something that isn’t right within
us. So I pray that we always look to you
first before looking within or around us
to try to put the blame somewhere else.
We don’t want to sit inself-loathing, but
we should always have a self-awareness that
sits against the backdrop of your holiness.
I
pray that we will all look at our priorities
and make sure they are ordered properly.
We know that you have ordered this world
to function in a beautiful way. But when
we aren’t aligned with your will, that is
when things go awry. May you always be first
in everything we do and in every moment
of our lives. May the first thought when
we wake up be one of gratitude for another
day. May the first word we speak be one
of praise to you.
May
the first word we read be your Word that
nourishes our soul and gives us strength
for a new day. May the first thing we do
be glorifying and worshipful to you. And
I pray that you will show us how to order
everything else in our lives so that it
aligns with your good and perfect will.
And when the blessings begin to pour in,
I pray that we will see that as an opportunity
to be a blessing to others.
Help
us to be leaders in the way that we live
our lives. I pray that we will be good examples
and role models for our children, our friends,
our co-workers, our neighbors, and anyone
else we have an infiuence on. May your love
shine brightly in us, overfiowing to the
people around us. May the path we pave for
others be one that always leads to you.
I
pray that we will not compare ourselves,
our gifts, our o£erings, or anything
else that you have given to us with anyone
or anything else. No matter how big or small
our gifts are, they all significant to you
when they are offered up with the right
heart and pure motives. Keep our hearts
pure.
I
pray that we will not look back to what
once was and compare it to what is going
on now or what will be tomorrow. Help us
to focus on what’s in front of us and fully
trust that we have been created for such
a time as this and for a great purpose.
I pray that we will recognize where we are
weak so that we can submit it to you and
allow your strength to be perfected in those
areas of weakness.
We
know you aren’t just hanging out around
us, but you are in us, walking with us every
step of the way. Therefore we will not fear.
We rebuke the spirit of fear and we commit
to doing the work that you have asked of
us.
Your
promise to give us a future and hope rings
loudly in our ears today, so we are fully
trusting you in that. I pray that we will
stay faithful to you through it all. Thank
you for choosing us. And thank you for restoring
our hope today.
In
Zechariah chapter one, the Lord speaks a
word to His people through the prophet Zechariah.
Not all returned exiles were fully committed
to serving Yahweh alone, and the Lord pleads
with them to return to Him. He reminds them
of how their ancestors refused to serve
Him and acknowledge Him as sovereign and
how He judged them.
Zechariah
sees a vision of four horses with their
riders standing with some myrtle trees.
The Angel of the Lord inquires about God's
mercy over Judah and Jerusalem, and the
Lord responds with His compassion. Zechariah
sees a vision of the four horns that scattered
the children of the Lord. The Lord speaks
judgment upon the horns and prophesies of
the craftsmen that will come and bring justice
upon them.
In
Zechariah chapter two, the prophet sees
an angelic being with a measuring line defining
the dimensions of Jerusalem. The Lord is
preparing for a future mass migration to
His city. The Lord prompts the exiles left
in Babylon to return to Jerusalem. The children
of Israel are promised that the Lord will
one day dwell in their midst and are committed
to providing protection when He repays their
enemies.
In
Zechariah chapter three, Zechariah sees
Joshua, the high priest, standing in front
of the Angel of the Lord and Satan, who
is present to accuse him. Satan is rebuked,
and Joshua has his iniquity removed. Joshua
is clothed in clean, rich robes and has
a turban on his head.
The
Lord commissions Joshua to remain faithful
in his obedience to Him. The Lord will allow
him to continue to judge the people and
permit him to have a continual audience
before Him. Zechariah is told a prophecy
declaring the future arrival of the Lord's
Messiah. The Lord refers to the Messiah
as "My Servant the Branch."
In
Zechariah chapter four, Zechariah has another
vision. He sees a solid gold lampstand with
seven pipes holding seven lamps in it. On
each side of the lampstand stands an olive
tree. Zechariah asks the Lord for the meaning
of the vision. The Lord explains a correlation
between the supplied oil and His Holy Spirit.
The presence of the Spirit of the Lord will
signify the beginning of great work that
the Lord will accomplish through His people.
His Spirit is to provide the strength to
continue carrying it through to completion.
The Lord o£ers Zechariah the meaning
of his vision with the lampstand and olive
trees.
RETURN
TO HOME | Zech.1:3
Yesterday,
I was fiying my drone at my son’s football
game to get some aerial shots of the stadium,
and my remote signal got interrupted by
a helicopter fiying right in my path. Thank
God the newer drone models have the “return
to home” button. Before the drone takes
off, it marks the coordinates in the remote
to know where “home” is.
So
if your drone gets lost or loses signal,
you just hit this button, and your drone
returns to where it started. But if you,
as the operator, move from that initial
spot of takeoff while fiying, you also have
to return home to recover the drone. I thank
God that, as the operator of the universe,
He never moves from our home spot. We are
the ones who get lost in space, or our signal
gets disrupted by all kinds of things that
are fiying in our paths.
But
all we need to do is hit the return to home
button. We are the ones who need to come
back to the place from which we took off.
We need to come back to our first love or
the place we were at when we were first
saved and on fire for the Lord. But if we
don’t know what those coordinates are, we
won’t know how to come back. Heart Check.
Do
you know your coordinates for home? Do you
know how to return to the Lordif you get
lost?
SKELETONS
IN THE CLOSET | Zech. 1:4-6
This
is a powerful couple of verses, especially
for those who may think they are trapped
by their heredity or under some sort of
“generational curse.” We know that God said
in Exodus 34:7 that sin would continue through
the 3rd and 4th generations.
However,
Jeremiah clearly prophesied that everyone
is responsible for their own sin and not
held accountable for the sins of their parents.
We also know that the saving and redeeming
work of the cross banishes all curses when
we become a new creation. We have set free
from the slavery of sin.
This
means that if there are generational tendencies,
we have the ability to rise up out of it.
We cannot use that as an excuse to continue
doing things that our parents or grandparents
did. It does not have power over us, because
the power of Christ is now in us. But again,
there may be tendencies that need extra
work to resist. Some might call these skeletons
in the closet. Heart Check.
Do
you have any skeletons in the closet that
need to be removed? Have you identifed generational
tendencies? How are you declaring victory
over them?
COMFORT
ZONE | Zech. 2:6-7
Even
though the Lord is sending this urgent call
to return home, we know that only about
50,000 returned to Jerusalem, and the reason
why is that they had all become comfortable
where they were. It’s natural not to want
to be moved out of a comfortable position.
But sometimes God calls us out of our comfort
zone because He either knows that staying
would be dangerous or there is something
better elsewhere. Heart Check.
Are
you being called out of your comfort zone?
Are you answering the call?
HYPE
MAN | Zech. 2:10-11
The
Lord does not want the people to be passive
or quiet about this – He wants them to sing
and rejoice! Last night, I was interviewing
some of the senior football players, and
one of the questions I asked is, “Who is
your hype man?” There’s always one. I believe
that the church is the hype man of the world.
We are called to get people excited for
what God is doing. Heart Check.
Are
you a hype man? Are you getting others excited
for what God is doing
IN
THE HAMPER | Zech. 3:1-4
The
name Satan literally means “accuser” or
“adversary.” This is his mojo. All day long,
he is like a little child who is jealous
of their sibling and always crying, “Daddy,
look what she did.”
He
will always try to point out the filth on
our garments. And if we are doing that to
other believers, criticizing and trying
to pull up their past history that has been
forgiven, then we are doing the devil’s
work.
I
know for a fact that there are still people
who talk about me and things that I have
done, trying to disqualify me from doing
God’s work. And I used to allow it to keep
me paralyzed in fear. But last year, I finally
said, “Enough!”
Because
yes, I had some filth on the garments of
my past, but guess what? They’re in the
hamper, and I don’t ever plan on putting
them back on. I have a new wardrobe that
is pure and righteous that smells like Tide
and Suavitel, and it has been given to me
by God Himself. You, too, have been clothed
in robes of righteousness if you have been
saved by the blood of Jesus.
And
if someone has a problem with that, they
need to take it up with the Designer who
fitted you at the laundry mat. You are the
righteousness of God. Heart Check.
Do
you have any flthy garments that need to
be put into the hamper and never worn again?
Are you allowing others who are doing the
devil’s accusatory work tomake you think
you’re still in them?
SNOOZE
BUTTON | Zech. 4:1
Ezekiel
was wiped out halfway through his eight
night vision stint, but the angel of God
awakened him and said, “Get up.” I can sometimes
get down on myself for feeling so exhausted,
so this encourages me because it tells me
that doing the right thing or doing ministry
is hard work! But it’s also a literal wake
up call in not allowing that fatigue to
keep us hitting the snooze button. Because
the more you do, the more tired you get.
Heart Check.
Are
you hitting the snooze button? Is God trying
to awaken you from out of the slumber?
BY
HIS SPIRIT | Zech. 4:7-10
This
is one of my favorite verses—do not despise
the day of small beginnings. Everything
the Lord does begins with one word, one
act, or one small step. Look at Zerubbabel—his
small beginning has been frozen in time
for 20 years, yet the Lord is encouraging
him by telling him not to give up.
Sometimes
the Lord lays a foundation or gives us a
dream but doesn’t complete it until much
later.
But
if we trust that He does not give us dreams
and visions in vain, and He does not lay
foundations just to allow the project to
sink, then we will be able to stay the course
and wait on His perfect timing to lay the
capstone and finish the work.
We
don’t have to force it! It isn’t by might
or power that it is going to be properly
finished but only by His Spirit anyway (another
one of my favorite verses). Heart Check.
Is
there something that the Lord has started
in your life that has yet to be completed?
Are you on the verge of giving up or trying
to force the completion? How has this encouraged
you today?
Deep
Dive
What
other lessons can be learned through these
chapters?
What
are the heartbeats or characteristics of
God that stand out?
What
role does this angel of the Lord play and
how does it apply to us personally?
What
is the di£erence between human jealousy
and God’s jealousy? What role does it play
in His justice?
What
significance does the vision of the recommissioning
of Joshua the High Priest hold for us today?
Describe
the role of the Holy Spirit in these visions
and His role in your life.
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for always allowing us to come back
home.
Your
love endures through all things and throughout
eternity. We are so grateful that you love
us so passionately and intensely that it
angers you when we become engrossed in sin.
This is why you are constantly calling for
us to return. Sometimes you do this by loving
on us, but other times, particularly when
we don’t respond to your kindness, you will
go silent and begin to feel far away. And
this is usually because we have wandered
o£ from our home base. Help us to
mark our coordinates so we can quickly return
should we ever get lost again.
Help
us to rise from our past or from any sin
that has lingered throughout the generations.
We refuse to allow it to have power over
us by repeating their mistakes, because
we are more than conquerors, meaning we
are victorious and not a victim. If we are
having a hard time getting out or if we
feel stuck, God, I pray that you will allow
your divine power to pull us out. Don’t
allow us to stay in our comfort zones. We
may need a supernatural extraction, and
we believe that you can and will do that
if we don’t resist it. We are believing
this for our loved ones as well who may
be lost right now. Bring them home.
I
pray that we will never rest or become complacent
at the expense of your people or your purpose.
As long as we are living and breathing,
may we be the ones who are always observing
and looking for ways to meet the needs of
those who may be struggling. Increase our
zeal, increase our passion, increase our
compassion so that we will bring comfort,
peace, and assurance everywhere our feet
tread. Thank you for so passionately loving
us this way. Thank you that your promises
of restoration still remain. And because
so, we can have true rest, knowing that
we have played a small part in that. So
keep us vigilant, especially in times of
crushing, for we know that we will never
be destroyed, but in the crushing, we will
radiate the fragrance of your glory that
cannot be explained by earthly measure.
It won’t make sense, and that’s a good thing,
because that proves your supernatural and
almighty power in us.
Thank
you, Jesus, for being our intercessor and
for pleading for mercy on our behalf. You
already paid the price for our sin, and
as if that wasn’t enough, you continue to
fight for us. Thank you for the mercy and
grace that never runs out. There is nothing
I could ever do to deserve it. It ba£les
me every time to think of it, and I may
never understand it, but I will always be
grateful for it. And thank you for the new
garments that you place upon us when the
devil tries to keep us bound in the soil
of our past. We refuse to allow him to hold
us captive any longer. We are a new creation,
and we have a new wardrobe. We are the righteousness
of God in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah.
We
are also grateful for your divine protection
over our lives. Thank you for being the
wall of fire around us and the glory that
dwells within us. We are the apple of your
eye, and you are quick and mighty to save.
Because you are present with us, we are
able to endure every trial and hold on to
the promises for renewed blessing and favor,
and restoration. Not only are we being rebuilt
on the daily, but you are expanding us,
as we are taken from glory to greater glory.
So I pray that we will rejoice in that and
not be silent about it. Let us be the hype
people who are getting others excited for
what you are doing.
Thank
you for this testament today of how you
will accomplish your purposes through your
servants and by your Spirit. I thank you
that we don’t need to muscle our way through
this life, because it will never be by our
might or our power that anything gets done.
Therefore we can stop worrying about what
is going to happen in November, we can stop
stressing about whether we are going to
get that promotion, we can stop being anxious
as we wait for something to go through or
be completed, and trust in you while keeping
our head down and taking it one step at
a time. We are fueled by your continual
supply of oil. It never runs out. Thank
you for that. Because we have constant fuel,
we can overcome anything. Every great mountain
that stands before us will be leveled as
we shout, “Grace to it!”
A
flying scroll symbolizes God's curse on
thieves and liars, showing how sin will
be removed from the land. A woman in a basket,
representing wickedness, is carried away
to Babylon, symbolizing the complete removal
of evil.
Zechariah
chapter 6, Zechariah sees four chariots,
representing God's judgment and control
over the world. Then, Joshua the High Priest
is crowned, symbolizing the coming Messiah,
who will combine the roles of priest and
king to bring peace.
Zechariah
chapter 7, God reminds the people that religious
rituals (like fasting) mean nothing without
genuine obedience and care for justice.
He warns against repeating past disobedience,
which led to the destruction of Jerusalem.
Zechariah
chapter 8, God promises future blessings
for Jerusalem. Fasts will turn into times
of joy, and people will seek God's presence.
This chapter gives hope for the restoration
and renewal of God's people and Jerusalem.
Zechariah
chapter 9, God proclaims judgment on Israel’s
enemies and predicts the coming of a peaceful
king (fulfilled by Jesus in the New Testament).
This King will bring peace to all nations
and fulfill God’s promise of salvation for
His people.
IF
| Zechariah 5
It
all hinges on this big word 'if.' Yeah,
I know, the real big word 'if.' If we obey
the Lord, if we are diligent in following
his commands, if we are living out the Great
Commission, if we accept salvation through
Jesus Christ... so, heart check.
Are
you diligently obeying the word of God?
DIAMOND
HARD | Zechariah 6:10
That's
a very simple heart check right there. Are
we doing that ourselves?
Let's
look at this list all over again. Are you
rendering true judgments? Are you showing
kindness? Are you showing mercy?
Do
you oppress the widow, the fatherless, and
the sojourner, or the poor? And are you
devising evil against another person in
your heart, not just face to face. But in
your own heart. So heart check.
Has
your heart been hardened?
Deep
Dive
How
do these visions point to the ultimate end
of sin in God’s future kingdom?
How
does this transformation from fasting to
feasting refiect God’s promises of restoration
and renewal for His people? How can this
shift apply to our own spiritual lives today?
How
does the passage remind us that disobedience
leads to separation from God’s favor?
What
practical steps can believers take to ensure
we align our actions with God's will so
as to not repeat the mistakes of the past?
How
can we live in anticipation of His return?
What
do these symbolic visions teach us about
God’s long-term plan for His people and
the world?
Heavenly
Father, We
come before You with humble hearts, seeking
to trust in Your promises.
Help
us to let go of the distractions and fears
that cause us to live without truth, love,
peace, and holiness. Teach us to trust fully
in Your Word, knowing that Your plans are
perfect, and You will bring an end to sin
and restore Your people in joy.
Father,
reveal any areas of pride, deceit, or oppression
within us, and humble us to walk in Your
ways. We ask for Your mercy over our nations
and leaders, that they, like Nebuchadnezzar,
may be humbled and come to know Your truth.
Help us to be discerning like Daniel, aware
of those who seek harm, and raise up righteous
leaders in every sphere of life.
Thank
You for the continued deliverance we experience
daily and for the wisdom of Your Word. We
rest in Your grace, knowing that the day
is coming when fasting will turn to feasting,
and sorrow will be replaced by joy. Let
us live now in anticipation of Your promises
fulfilled.
We
trust in You, O God, and we ask for the
strength to walk in Your truth, love, peace,
and holiness, all for Your glory
In
Zechariah chapter 10, the Messiah's reign
is prophesied to be full of abundance, and
He will transform His people into a mighty
army ready to battle against their enemies.
The Lord promises to gather His people together
in their land from all over the earth and
to strengthen them.
In
Zechariah chapter 11, another future judgment
is proclaimed upon Judah from Zechariah,
as the word of the Lord declares Israel
will yet see another exile from their land
for disobedience and rebellion. Israel is
also prophesied to reject the Shepherd He
will send to His people and instead follow
the foolish shepherd who does not care for
them or the Lord. The Lord speaks woes against
this foolish shepherd.
In
Zechariah chapter 12, the city of Jerusalem
is proclaimed to be quarreled over by many
nations seeking to conquer and possess her.
The Lord, however, will ensure she will
never come to destruction. She belongs to
the Lord and will always be under the Lord's
protection.
When
the Lord one day brings the children of
Israel back to their land, the Lord promises
to strengthen His people and fight with.
Even the weakest among the people will be
strong enough to conquer their enemies as
was witnessed in the days of King David.
The children of Israel will one day mourn
for the Messiah they rejected; the One they
pierced. They will look to the Lord in a
great national repentance.
In
Zechariah chapter 13, Israel is prophesied
to repent for rejecting the Messiah that
the Lord brought them in the previous chapter.
On that day, a continually fiowing fountain
of forgiveness and cleansing will be upon
the people. The Lord will also cleanse the
land from all idolatry, and false prophets
will no longer be welcomed. They will be
ashamed they even spoke falsely in the name
of the Lord.
The
Lord reminds the people that He is Sovereign
and will allow His people to strike His
Shepherd He sends. The Lord plans that He
be a£licted, and because of their
willingness to strike Him, they will be
scattered once more in judgment. Out of
the judgment, a remnant will once more be
brought out from the nations. Only one-third
of Israel will return to their inheritance
when the Lord brings them out of a series
of fiery trials to refine them as His people.
In
Zechariah chapter 14, a great gathering
of the nations is prophesied to war against
Jerusalem. The city will be overrun, but
the Lord will only allow half of His people
to be taken into captivity. When He comes
back, the Messiah will fight for His people.
He will stand upon the Mount of Olives,
which will split in two, and His people
will escape their enemies through the newly
formed valley.
The
Messiah will reign on the earth, and darkness
will no longer exist. The light of the Lord
will provide a continuous light, even to
be seen in the evening. Rivers will fiow
from Jerusalem, mountains will no longer
be regarded as protection and the landscape
will be transformed into a plain. Israel
will be in complete peace and safety under
His reign.
The
Lord will send a plague upon the enemies
of the Lord and His people, and they will
be utterly destroyed. All over the earth,
people will come far and wide to Jerusalem
to seek and worship the Lord. In those days,
everything in Jerusalem will be considered
holy and set apart to the Lord in His Kingdom.
FILL
UP | Zech. 10:1
The
spring rain typically fell in April and
May—these rains were known as the latter
rains, and they were essential for the lush
vegetation and abundant grain harvests.
No rain meant no crop.
I
find it interesting that the Lord had to
tell them to ask for these rains each season.
This implies that they had perhaps taken
the rain for granted, or they may have been
turning to Baal for it. Spiritually, the
latter rains represent the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit in the latter days, and
He has been pouring out His Spirit on new
believers ever since that first outpouring
in the Upper Room at Pentecost. And when
we are saved, we receive that gift of the
indwelling Presence in us, and we never
lose it. This is what gives us supernatural
power, the fruit of the spirit, anointing,
and empowerment to do the work of the Lord.
However,
as we all know, there are ebbs and fiows
of being filled with the Spirit, meaning
there are times when we may inadvertently
cut o£ the supply of the overfiow
by our own disobedience or in the way that
we do not walk by the Spirit. Sometimes,
we are barely getting by on fumes. This
is why Paul had to tell the church of Ephesus
to be filled with the Spirit—because they
had all kinds of other things filling them
up, and it was literally pushing the Spirit
out.
So
if we ever get to that point of feeling
empty or powerless, we may need to get to
the gas station and ask for a fill up. Heart
Check.
When
is the last time you asked for a fll up?
Do you need a fresh outpouring in your spirit?
MISPLACED
HOPE | Zech. 11:1-3
Zechariah
is often referred to as the “prophet of
hope,” but here he is bringing a strong
word of truth about the future. Lebanon
is symbolic of destructive armies, namely
Rome, who will approach from the north,
and the cypress and cedar trees symbolize
the human leaders who will ultimately fall.
So
not only are these verses literal in the
sense that the land will be utterly ruined,
but it is spiritual as well, as all the
human strength and power will be sapped
from them. This is what happens when we
put our hope into human leaders rather than
humbly following the leadership of the Lord.
Human leaders will always fail us.
It’s
just the nature of the beast. We are fallen
beings. There is no amount of hope that
we will be able to sustain apart from Jesus.
This is why you will see so many people
fall away from the church, because the moment
a person hurts or disappoints them, they
lose hope, which means their hope was misplaced.
This is why there is so much heaviness surrounding
elections—because people are putting all
their hope in a political candidate. Heart
Check.
Is
your hope misplaced? Are there any political,
spiritual, family, academic, or business
leaders that you are putting your hope into?
LIVING
DIFFERENT | Zech. 14:1
The
word behold means to see or observe. In
other words, keep an eye out because this
will happen. It isn’t fiction. Jesus is
returning, and these events will take place.
But
because this word has not been fulfilled
in thousands of years, many still see it
as some far-o£ event and, therefore
don’t live with any sort of urgency. I personally
feel we are closer than ever because my
spirit has never been stirred the way that
it has been in these past two years. But
I also realize there have been many times
throughout history where it felt this way
for many people.
Regardless,
this stirring makes me live my life differently.
What about you? Heart Check.
Would
you live your life differently if you had
the day of the Lord marked on your calendar?
Does it change the way you live today, even
without knowing the exact date?
Deep
Dive
In
what arenas might false prophets rise up
today? How do we discern between true and
false prophets?
How
significant was the power of God over all
nations in the time of this reading? What
about today? How does this reassure you
in today’s political and global climate?
Study
the role of a shepherd. Why did God choose
this imagery to describe both Himself and
leadership?
How
does the knowledge of the return of Jesus
a£ect the way you live your life?
How
can we stand against falsehood while continuing
to please God and refiect His character
in the way we conduct ourselves?
How
do you view Jesus? Where does this depiction
of Him as a warrior who will “fight against
those nations” change or affirm your view?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for the reminder to remain steadfast
in our faith today.
No
matter what we may be facing, whether personal
or even globally, we know that we can seek
your wisdom, strength, and protection in
all things. You are sovereign, you hold
the universe in the palm of your hands,
and you ultimately control every nation
and what will come to pass.
We
already know what has been written, and
while it can seem scary at face value, we
as believers can rejoice as we see prophecy
being fulfilled before our very eyes. So
keep our eyes open so we can remain watchful
of the seasons and make sure we are asking
for what is necessary in every season. I
pray that we will never take the gift of
your Spirit for granted.
And
may we never seek out false or temporary
relief elsewhere. We don’t want to wander
like sheep without a shepherd. We recognize
that there is failed leadership all around
us, so this means we need to be even more
vigilant and wise in every situation. We
need to stay focused on you, for deception
creeps around every corner and on every
platform. Give us wisdom so that we can
discern between truth and falsehood. May
set our hope on you, our True Shepherd,
and not in human leadership, for we know
they will always fail us.
And
if they do, Lord, may we offer the same
grace to them that you have given to us
over and over again. Forgive us for the
times we may have failed to lead others
well. I pray that we will be those who care
for, feed, heal, and seek out the lost and
needy.
Thank
you, Jesus, for being our cornerstone and
firm foundation. With you, we are strong
and stable and can fight from the victory
we have in you. You are our conquering king
who will come to right every wrong and make
everything good and perfect again. Help
us to hold on to that promise, especially
when there is darkness that looms on the
horizon. Your light will break forth as
you come in glory, eliminating every dark
and evil presence and practice.
But
until then, we ask to be filled afresh with
your Spirit today. If we are somehow quenching
the fiow of your anointing oil, or allowing
other things to dwell where your Spirit
should be, please give us the strength and
courage to serve an eviction notice to what
does not belong. We want to walk boldly
in your name and not just merely survive.
Lead us, fill us, and move us into action
today.
We
pray for the continual softening of the
hearts of the people all around us. We know
there will come a day when all will finally
recognize the truth for what it is—that
you are indeed the true Messiah who was
rejected, and that we are all broken and
in need of a Savior.
I
thank you that we don’t need to get it all
together before we can come to you. You
took to the cross for the world to be able
to look on you and receive the free gift
of grace and mercy. This fiows from a fountain
that never runs dry.
We
hear the call to repentance, and we pray
this for the rest of the world too. We pray
for individual, corporate, and global repentance.
Please begin to heal the broken areas of
our lives and within our nations. It is
only by your power that this will happen,
so we plead for it today. We desperately
need a spiritual cleansing in our land.
Banish every source of impurity from our
lives as we embrace this purification.
We
thank you for the reminder that you will
always fight for your people, and this includes
us. If we are righteous in our hearts, we
don’t need to try to fight back or defend
ourselves. Instead, we will trust that you
are protecting us and also providing a way
out, just the same way that you split the
Red Sea and the way that you will split
the Mount of Olives upon your return.
Until
then, may we remain watchful of the times
and live our lives as if you are returning
today. I pray that righteousness and holiness
will be our goal in the way that we carry
out our every day tasks. May every person
we come into contact with experience the
overfiow of your love and joy that comes
from within us. And may we be filled with
gratitude every single day, seeing your
hand in all things and recognizing your
power that is just as magnificent as it
was before and just as wonderful as it will
be in the end. We look forward to the day
that everything will be able to declare
itself as “holy to the Lord.” What a glorious
day of victory it will be. You will change
the game and all the world will finally
know that you are Lord.
King
Ahasuerus holds three royal feasts, one
of them being a feast for the women in the
royal household hosted by his Queen Vashti.
In
drunkenness, the king commands his queen
to come out and display herself before him
and his guests. She refuses, and he becomes
enraged, as he is not accustomed to having
his commands disobeyed, even from his queen.
Vashti is banished from the king's sight
indefinitely, and the king's servants propose
he replace her as queen as punishment so
the other women in the empire may not revolt
against their husbands as well.
The
king's servants propose that virgins in
the kingdom be brought before him, and he
may select the one he finds worthy of being
his next queen. Many beautiful women were
gathered from all over and brought into
the palace under Hegai's custody. Each was
given beauty treatments in preparation for
presenting themselves before the king.
Esther,
a descendant of an Israelite exile and an
orphan, is selected and brought to the palace.
Hegai favors Esther above all the other
women. She is moved to an area in the palace
away from the other women and given special
beauty preparations and seven personal maidservants.
Her guardian, Mordecai, continued to inquire
about fare daily during this time and encouraged
her to keep her ancestry a secret.
After
a year of preparations, each of the young
ladies was presented before the king. Esther
found great favor in the king's eyes and
was crowned as his next queen. Mordecai
uncovers a plot to assassinate King Ahasuerus
and informs Queen Esther. Esther brings
the matter before the king, and after an
inquiry, the guilty men are put to death.
Haman,
King Ahasuerus promotes the Agagite, is
promwerful position by Kin. According to
thehKing's decree, i refuses to pay homage
to Haman accordman finds out of Mordecai's
disrespect, and becomes enraged. He learns
of his Jewish ancestry and with a heardened
heart, plots to eliminate all Jews in the
kingdom.
In
order to gain the king's favor towards his
plot, he informs that the Jews do not follow
all the laws the king has established. The
king agrees they may be put to death if
they do not follow his decrees. Haman is
free to continue in his plan to rid the
land of the Jews, and the king's decree
is sent throughtout the kingdom.
When
Mordecai hears of the edict, he and all
the Jews go into great mourning, weeping,
fasting, and donning sackcloth. Mordecai
brings word to Esther, and she sends one
of her attendants to inquire about the details
of Haman's plan. Her servant returns to
her with the decree in hand and all that
Mordecai reveals to him.
Mordecai
pleads with Esther to go before the king
and intercede on behalf of the children
of Israel. Esther declares she cannot, as
there is a law that no one may go before
the king unless called to do so. Mordecai
tells Esther not to assume she will escape
with her life under the decree and edifies
her with the notion that she may be part
of God's plan to rescue His people.
Esther
agrees to intercede and asks that Mordecai
and all the other Jews fast for 3 days on
her behalf as she prepares her heart to
go before the king. Esther goes before the
king and his golden scepter is held out
to her in mercy as he asks what he may do
for his queen. Esther invites the king and
Haman to a banquet she has planned, and
she will reveal her request.
At
the banquet, the king again asks what request
he might grant to his beloved Esther. She
responds bye inviting them to another banquet,
and promises to then reveal her appeal.
Haman leaves the banquet with great pride
and joy that he for a second time has been
called to another prestigious banquet with
the king and queen. He is brought to rage
again when he sees Mordecai defying him.
He tells his wife of his hatred for Mordecai,
and how his defiance has spoiled his joyous
mood.
Haman's
wife suggests to him that he bring the matter
before the king at the banquet the next
day, and orders that the gallows be constructed
in preparation.
OFFENSE
& PRIDE | Esther 1
We
have an infiated ego here—pride that’s fueled
by wine. The king is surrounded by people
who tell him what he wants to hear. So what
does he do?
He
says, "Let’s make sure everyone knows
that women can’t say no to their husbands,
and certainly not to the king!" This
leads to an edict that can’t be overturned,
stating that Queen Vashti can no longer
come into the king's presence.
Offense,
offense, offense—the king is offended, his
o£icials are o£ended, and because
they’re not using sound judgment or wise
counsel, they make rash decisions.
Are
we like the king sometimes? When we’re o£ended,
do we listen to the wrong voices and make
poor decisions? Is there a situation in
our lives right now where we need to check
our hearts and ask, "Are we letting
offense rule my actions?" Heart Check.
Do
I let my pride dictate my actions, leading
me to make decisions based on ofense rather
than wisdom? How can I cultivate humility
to avoid falling into the trap of pride
and offense?
SANCTIFICATION
& BEAUTY | Esther 2
We
see Esther undergoing 12 months of beautification,
and I thought, "I could use 12 months
to get rid of this post-baby fiabbiness!"
But immediately, the Spirit spoke to me,
saying, "You’re already being beautified—your
heart is being transformed."
Every
day that we spend in God's Word, He is beautifying
us from the inside out. It’s a process called
sanctification. There’s no better fragrance
than the sweet aroma of a heart beautified
by God’s presence and truth.
Am
I allowing God to beautify my heart through
His Word and presence, or am I only focused
on outward appearances? What steps can I
take to experience true spiritual renewal?
HIDDEN
IDENTITY | Esther 2
Esther
compromised her faith by blending in, conforming
to the world around her. She was eating
food she shouldn’t have, wearing things
she wasn’t supposed to. Mordecai and Esther
could have said "no," but they
chose to stay quiet. They compromised in
small ways, and those small compromises
eventually lead to bigger ones. We know
from Scripture that we aren’t to conform
to the world, and Esther’s story is a reminder
of that.
Working
with Kanoe has revealed a lot about my own
heart. If I had started this ministry two
or three years ago, I couldn’t have handled
it. I was easily o£ended, worried
about what people would say, and I would’ve
hidden away—just like Esther hid her identity
as a Jew.
I
was hiding my passion for the Lord, my identity
in Christ. But now, I’m speaking from my
heart because what I’m most passionate about
is sharing the gospel. I’m not ashamed of
God's Word. Heart Check.
Am
I hiding my faith in situations where it
matters most? How can I be bold in living
out my faith without compromising? Are you
compromising your faith in small ways, thinking
it doesn’t matter? Are there areas in your
life where you’ve blended in with the world,
when you should be standing firm in Christ?
**I
would like to add that even with the small
compromises in her life - GOD still showered
favor upon her because those comprises did
not define her nor does it define us. God
has and will continue to use flawed humans
just like you and me. I am only acknowledging
that to stay hidden in the King’s palace
for so long meant she had to disobey many
of the Jewish laws established in the Torah.
OBEYING
GOD’S CALL | Esther 4
Let's
revisit the famous words from the Book of
Esther: "Have you not come to the kingdom
for such a time as this?" Mordecai’s
question to Esther is incredibly powerful,
and it’s a question we can ask ourselves
today. It challenges us with three key questions:
1. Where
has the Lord placed you?
2. What
has the Lord called you to do?
3. And
will you obey?
These
are deep, heart-check questions that I want
us to pause and refiect on right now. They
are simple, but they are also life-changing.
We often wonder, "What is my purpose?
Why am I here?" And that’s exactly
what Mordecai is pushing Esther to realize.
God had positioned her strategically, and
He’s done the same with us. So, where has
the Lord placed you? Is it in your home,
at your workplace, in a ministry? Maybe
you’ve been placed right in the middle of
an online space like digital ministry—like
I have. God has positioned each of us in
specific places for a reason.
Next,
what is He calling you to do? For Esther,
it was to step into her royal position and
intercede for her people. I know I’ve been
called to this digital ministry—to use technology,
cameras, lighting, editing, and everything
I’m passionate about to spread the Word
of God. It took me time to see that I was
created for this, but it’s become clear.
The same applies to you. What is it that
God is asking you to step into?
Lastly,
will you obey? This is the hardest part
sometimes. It’s easy to recognize where
God has placed us and even to understand
what He’s calling us to do. But obedience—that’s
where the real challenge lies. If you don’t
obey, God can always raise someone else
to fulfill the purpose He’s laid out. Mordecai
told Esther that if she didn’t act, deliverance
would come from somewhere else. But she
had the opportunity to step into her calling
and obey.
So,
my question for you is:
What
has God placed before you "for such
a time as this"? Are you prepared to
say yes, or are you holding back in fear?
HANDLING
OFFENSE | Esther 5
Finally,
we see Haman, listing all the things that
have gone right in his life—his children,
his wife, his promotions, his treasures—and
yet he’s still ready to complain. Isn’t
that just like us? We can have so much going
well, but one small o£ense, one person
cutting us o£ in tra£ic, and
our whole day is ruined!
I’ve
been there. I was sitting at a red light,
holding my phone out (NOT hands-free, of
course) and talking into it. I look over,
and there’s a cop giving me the side-eye.
My heart dropped, y'all!
That
one moment of conviction just sank my spirit.
I was so wrapped up in the fact that I had
been “caught,” that I let it a£ect
the rest of my day. Do you let minor offenses
derail your entire day? Are you allowing
pride or greed to cloud your judgment and
take you down a path that dishonors God?
We
often fall victim to offense, letting it
consume us. But here’s the thing—we’re called
to respond with grace and forgiveness. Two
books that have helped me with this are
Uno£endable and The Bait of Satan.
As someone who wears my heart on my sleeve,
I’ve struggled with being too passionate
or “too much,” but I’ve learned that I need
to be true to what the Lord is teaching
me. Heart Check:
Do
you allow offenses to consume you, or do
you respond with grace and forgiveness?
How can you practice letting go of offenses
quickly and with love?
Deep
Dive
In
Chapter 1, how does King Xerxes' pride and
drunkenness lead to poor decisions? How
does this warn us against letting our emotions
control our actions?
Reflect
on Esther’s time in the palace. How do the
processes of beautification and Esther's
story connect to our spiritual journey of
sanctification?
Mordecai
asks Esther to hide her identity. How does
this relate to the temptation to hide our
faith in di£icult situations? How
should we balance wisdom with boldness?
Haman’s
hatred towards Mordecai leads him to plot
against the entire Jewish people. What can
we learn from this about the dangers of
unresolved pride and prejudice in our own
lives?
In
Esther 4:14, Mordecai challenges Esther
to consider her divine purpose. What moments
in your life might God be calling you to
act for "such a time as this"?
Heavenly
Father, thank you again for your divine
guidance in our lives.
Just
as in the story of Esther, where Your name
is not mentioned yet Your presence is felt,
help us to trust in Your plans for our lives.
We acknowledge that You are always working
behind the scenes, weaving every detail
into a tapestry of redemption and purpose.
Lord,
we confess that, like King Xerxes, we often
allow our pride and emotions to cloud our
judgment.
We
seek Your forgiveness for the times we have
acted out of o£ense, anger, or hurt
pride, rather than seeking Your wisdom and
guidance. Teach us, Lord, to be slow to
take o£ense and quick to seek Your
heart in every situation. Grant us the humility
to release our pride and submit fully to
Your will, knowing that Your ways are higher
than our ways.
Father,
we thank You for the example of Esther and
the process of beautification that she underwent,
both physically and spiritually. Help us
to see that true beauty comes from a heart
that is aligned with You, one that is daily
being transformed by the renewing of our
minds. Sanctify us, Lord, as we dive deeper
into Your Word, allowing it to shape us
from the inside out. May our lives refiect
the beauty of Christ in all that we say
and do.
We
also recognize the challenges that come
with living out our faith in a world that
often opposes Your truth. Give us the boldness
and courage to stand firm in our identity
as Your children, just as Esther eventually
stood up for her people. Help us to discern
when to speak up and when to act with wisdom
and grace.
Strengthen
us, Lord, to never compromise our faith
for the approval of others, but to always
seek to please You above all else.
Finally,
Father, we ask that You open our eyes to
the divine purpose You have placed before
us. Just as Esther was called "for
such a time as this," help us to recognize
the moments You have ordained in our own
lives where You are calling us to step forward
in faith.
May
we be obedient to Your calling, trusting
that You will equip us for every good work.
Lead us in boldness, grace, and wisdom,
as we walk in the victory that is ours in
Christ.
Esther
6, King Ahasuerus wrestles with sleep and
asks for a specific book to read. He learns
of Mordecai saving his life from assassination
and seeks to honor him.
Haman
enters the outer court to bring accusations
against Mordecai so he might hang him on
the gallows. The king inquires of Haman
how he might display his gratefulness and
bring honor to a man of his choosing. Haman
pridefully assumes the king is alluding
to himself and responds with his desires.
The
king instructs Haman to bestow all he has
spoken upon Mordecai. Haman runs to his
wife, mourning the blow to his pride. The
king's eunuchs come to escort Haman to the
queen's banquet.
Esther
7, At Queen Esther's banquet, in the presence
of Haman, the king again inquires about
Esther's desires. Esther responds with an
intercession for her own life and the life
of her people. The king inquires of the
adversary who has threatened her and the
lives of her people. She names Haman as
the adversary.
After
being manipulated, the king retreats angrily
to his palace garden, and Haman begs for
his life before Queen Esther. As the king
enters the banquet room again, he sees Haman
in a compromising position before Esther
and declares his execution. Haman is hung
on the gallows which were meant for Mordecai.
Esther
8, Esther receives the house of Haman, and
Mordecai is rewarded with all of Haman's
accolades.
Esther
begs for the king's mercy on her people
that he might revoke Haman's decree on the
Jewish people in the kingdom. The king employs
Esther and Mordecai to inscribe a new decree
declaring the protection of the Jews and
punishment for all who would attempt to
assault them, and place the king's name
and seal on it.
The
kingdom celebrates Mordecai's new honor
and the protection of the Jews. Seeing the
Lord's protection over His people, many
in the kingdom convert to Judaism.
Esther
9, Reverence for Mordecai's position of
power fell upon all in the kingdom who sought
to harm any Jew. A list of the cities is
provided where Jews saw victory over their
enemies.
The
king consults Esther on what he could further
do to ensure the protection of her people.
Queen Esther requests the execution of Haman's
ten sons and the Jews throw a feast for
their massive victory over the elimination
of all their enemies. A new Jewish holiday
is established, the two day celebration
of Purim.
Esther
10, King Ahasuerus enjoys great success
in his reign with Mordecai as his second
in command over his kingdom. All their successes
are recorded in the Book of Chronicles of
the kings of Media and Persia.
STUMBLING
BLOCK | Esther 6:5-11
Can
you imagine Haman’s face when this happens?
In his mind, he thought, "Who would
the king want to honor more than me?"
His pride and vanity clouded his judgment.
His deep love for himself, his reputation,
and his need for approval from others blinded
him to what was really happening around
him. This obsession with recognition ultimately
led to his downfall.
Reflect
on whether your need for approval or honor
from others is leading you to make decisions
that dishonor God or others around you.
Heart Check.
Is
there an area of your life where your pride
has blinded you to God’s hand at work? Are
you focused on pursuing recognition or status
over God’s purpose for you?
FEAR
& POOR DECISIONS | Esther 7:8
Now,
Haman has been told to honor Mordecai the
Jew, the very man he despised. This shows
us what pride and fear can do. Haman’s lack
of true repentance and overwhelming fear
led him to make impulsive decisions, ultimately
sealing his fate as he desperately tries
to save his life by falling at the feet
of Queen Esther.
It
raises an important question: Are there
places in our lives where fear, lack of
repentance, anxiety, or bitterness are causing
us to make rash decisions? Instead of waiting
patiently on the Lord, do we act out of
desperation, forgetting to approach situations
with grace, love, and humility?
Are
you allowing fear or desperation to dictate
your decisions?
USING
WISDOM IN CHALLENGING TIMES | Esther 8
Esther
and Mordecai used wisdom, laws, and understanding
to save their people. How are you utilizing
the tools God has given you to overcome
the challenges you face? Take time to pray
for discernment in your decision-making
process.
When
you face tough decisions, are you seeking
God’s wisdom, or are you relying on your
own strength?
CELEBRATING
GOD’S DELIVERANCE | Esther 9:20-32
Moving
forward, consider this: Do you take opportunities
to refiect on the great things that God
has done in your life? Do you regularly
take a moment for gratitude? Right now,
let’s do a gratitude check—what are you
thankful for today?
For
me, I thank God for my healthy legs that
allow me to walk from one point to another.
This is significant to me because I have
seen family members who have lost limbs
and lost that freedom. I’ve seen people
whose hearts failed them, and now, I’m grateful
for every heartbeat. I’m thankful for five
healthy pregnancies. Recently, my brother
and his wife went through something horrific,
where she almost lost her life, bringing
new life into the world. This gratitude
reminds me of the Jew’s celebration during
Purim, where they commemorated their national
deliverance and God’s assurance.
Are
you allowing fear or desperation to dictate
your decisions?
HONORING
GOD | Esther 10
Finally,
the story of Esther concludes with Mordecai
being elevated, but the true hero is God,
working through fiawed people like King
Xerxes, Esther, and Mordecai—even Haman
played a part. The story ends with Mordecai
being elevated, yet the real hero is God
working through fiawed people.
Are
you recognizing God’s providence in your
life, even in the moments where things don’t
seem to make sense? How can you cultivate
a heart of humility, knowing that any success
you achieve is because of God’s hand and
timing, not your own abilities or efforts?
Character
Study
DAY
267 | Esther 6-10
Character
Study of Esther: Strengths and Challenges
of Esther's Leadership
This
is a quick synopsis of Esther’s positive
qualities while acknowledging the complexities
and difficulties she faced. It also focuses
on her role as a leader and her impact on
the story, which can make the study feel
deeper and more insightful.
Esther
is one of the most complex and intriguing
figures in the Bible. She plays a pivotal
role in saving the Jewish people, showing
immense bravery and faith. However, her
story also involves some moral and cultural
compromises, giving us a nuanced picture
of her character.
Background:
Esther
was a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin
Mordecai. After the Babylonian captivity,
she lived in exile in Persia and became
queen to King Xerxes (Ahasuerus). Her rise
to power, faith, and courage in a hostile,
pagan environment reveal both her strengths
and weaknesses.
STRENGTHS:
1. Courage
and Boldness:
Esther
demonstrated immense bravery when she approached
the king to plead for the lives of her people,
despite the law stating that anyone approaching
the king without an invitation could be
put to death (Esther 4:16). Her famous words,
“If I perish, I perish,” refiect her willingness
to risk her life for the greater good.
2. Faith
and Dependence on God:
Though
God’s name is never directly mentioned in
the Book of Esther, Esther’s actions refiect
a deep faith. Before going to the king,
she called for a three-day fast for herself,
Mordecai, and all the Jews in Susa (Esther
4:16). Fasting was a sign of humility and
seeking God’s favor.
3. Wisdom
and Strategy:
Esther
was not just bold; she was also wise. Rather
than making her request to the king immediately,
she hosted two banquets for him and Haman.
This
gave her the opportunity to win the king’s
favor further and set the stage for her
eventual request (Esther 5:4-8, Esther 7:2-4).
4. Beauty
and Favor:
Esther's
beauty is mentioned as one of her assets,
and it earned her favor in the king's palace
(Esther 2:7, 9). Beyond physical beauty,
Esther was winsome and well-liked by everyone
who encountered her, from the king’s servants
to the king himself (Esther 2:15, 17). This
favor played a crucial role in her being
chosen as queen.
5. Selfessness
and Devotion to Her People:
Esther
didn’t just think about her own safety;
she put the needs of her people above her
own. She could have remained silent in her
comfortable palace, but she took action
to save the Jews from destruction (Esther
4:13-14). She accepted her God-given responsibility
when Mordecai said, "Who knows but
that you have come to your royal position
for such a time as this?"
---CHALLENGES:
1. Compromise
in Remaining in Persia:
While
Esther was born in Persia and may have considered
it home, it is significant that she (and
Mordecai) remained in a foreign land when
the Jews were given permission to return
to their homeland after 70 years of exile
(as per Jeremiah’s prophecy). Some may view
this as a compromise in fulfilling God’s
promise to restore His people to Israel
(Ezra 1:1-4).
2. Participation
in a Pagan Harem:
Esther
did not resist entering the king’s harem
or becoming part of a system that was at
odds with Jewish values. While it's possible
she didn’t have much choice, the fact remains
that she became queen through a process
that involved compromising sexual purity
according to Jewish law.
3. Her
Hidden Jewish Identity:
When
Esther first entered the palace, Mordecai
advised her to keep her Jewish identity
a secret (Esther 2:10). This may have helped
her rise to power, but it also meant she
wasn’t openly living out her faith at that
time. Some might argue that this was a lack
of boldness early in her life.
4. Use
of Beauty for Political Gain:
Esther’s
beauty and favor helped her rise to power,
but this too is a source of moral tension.
She was part of a beauty contest of sorts,
where women were evaluated on their physical
appearance and ability to please the king.
While she didn’t actively seek this role,
the situation itself presents a challenge
to how one views her moral standing.
5. No
Explicit Mention of Prayer:
Although
Esther fasts for three days before approaching
the king, the book of Esther does not explicitly
mention prayer or direct communication with
God. Some may see this as a subtle lack
in her faith walk, though fasting itself
was often tied to prayer in Jewish practice.
CONCLUSION:
Esther’s
life is a blend of virtue and complexity.
She shines as a courageous, faith-filled,
and selfiess leader, who risked everything
to save her people. Yet, she also navigated
a morally complicated world, sometimes making
compromises that could be questioned. Her
story serves as a powerful reminder of God’s
sovereignty and ability to work through
imperfect people to achieve His perfect
purposes.Heart Check:
How
do we respond when facing difficult decisions
requiring moral compromise? Do we, like
Esther, trust God in seemingly impossible
situations? Are we willing to step out in
faith, even when it may cost us our comfort
or security?
Esther's
story shows that while we may not be perfect,
God can still use us for His glory when
we trust in Him and act with courage.
Deep
Dive
In
Chapter 1, how does King Xerxes' pride and
drunkenness lead to poor decisions?
How
does this warn us against letting our emotions
control our In Chapter 6, how does the King’s
insomnia and the specific scroll that was
read reveal God’s providence?
How
can you see God's hand in what might seem
like random events in your life?
Haman’s
arrogance led him to assume that he would
be honored instead of Mordecai. What does
this say about the dangers of assuming our
own importance, and how can we guard our
hearts from this kind of pride?
When
Esther revealed her identity and Haman’s
plot in Chapter 7, she displayed courage
despite the potential risk. Have there been
moments in your life when God asked you
to step out in faith and reveal something
di£icult? How did you respond?
In
Chapter 8, the Jews were granted the ability
to defend themselves. How do you interpret
God’s justice in allowing self-defense?
How does this passage challenge or a£irm
your understanding of justice in today’s
context?
The
Feast of Purim, introduced in Chapter 9,
commemorates God’s deliverance. What role
do remembrance and celebration play in your
spiritual life? How can you intentionally
mark moments of God’s faithfulness?
Chapter
10 concludes with Mordecai in a place of
authority, but God’s name is never explicitly
mentioned in the entire book of Esther.
How does this challenge or deepen your understanding
of how God works, even when His presence
isn’t immediately obvious?
Heavenly
Father, We
come before You in awe of Your sovereignty
and Your divine orchestration of events,
even when we cannot see Your hand at work.
Heavenly
Father, we stand in awe of Your faithfulness
as we refiect on the incredible story of
Esther. Even though Your name is not mentioned,
Your fingerprints are everywhere—reminding
us that You are always working, even in
the silence. Just as You used divine insomnia,
seemingly random scrolls, and a courageous
queen to bring deliverance to Your people,
we trust that You are orchestrating our
lives for Your glory and our good.
Lord,
we confess that we often struggle with pride,
like Haman, seeking recognition and approval
from others rather than resting in the identity
You’ve given us. Teach us to humble ourselves
before You, recognizing that it is You who
elevates and honors according to Your will.
Help us to release our need for worldly
status and instead seek to glorify You in
all that we do.
Father,
we acknowledge that fear sometimes leads
us to make hasty decisions, just as it did
for Haman. In our moments of panic, when
the future feels uncertain, remind us to
turn to You. You are our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in times of trouble.
Give us the peace that transcends understanding,
and the courage to make choices that refiect
trust in Your sovereign plan.
We
thank You for the wisdom You imparted to
Esther and Mordecai, allowing them to navigate
through a time of great peril with grace
and discernment. Lord, grant us that same
wisdom when we face di£icult situations.
Show us how to use the resources, knowledge,
and understanding You have provided to make
wise and godly decisions, especially when
the stakes are high.
As
we conclude this study of Esther, we are
reminded of Your unfailing deliverance.
Just as the Jews celebrated their survival
through the Feast of Purim, may we also
remember to celebrate the victories You
have given us. You are a God of justice,
and You stand with Your people. We are eternally
grateful for Your love, Your protection,
and the way You fight on our behalf.
Finally,
Lord, we pray that as we move forward in
our lives, we will remain ever aware of
Your presence, trusting that You are with
us, guiding us, even when Your hand is hidden
from plain sight. We surrender our plans
to You, trusting in Your perfect timing
and sovereign will.
Ezra
7, King Artaxerxes permits Ezra, a prophet
and expert scribe, all of his requests in
preparation for his trip to Jerusalem to
educate the people in the commands and statutes
of the Lord. The king sends Ezra with a
signed decree and seven of his counselors
to inspect the rebuilding e£ort in
Jerusalem and Judah and to take with him
all who wish to relocate.
Ezra
is given silver and gold from the king's
treasury for the Temple of the Lord, along
with provisions for sacrifices and o£erings.
The king appoints Ezra to oversee and dictate
all legal matters among the people of Judah.
He is free to instate taxes, tribute money,
or appoint judges.
Ezra
praises the Lord for His faithfulness and
care over His people and for bringing all
to the king's mind.
Ezra
8, A list of all the families who
joined Ezra on his journey to Judah is recorded.
Ezra sends Levites back to Babylon to come
to Jerusalem for service in the Lord's house.
He calls for the people to participate in
fasting and praying for the safety of the
messengers when he is sending them. He places
leaders among the priests in charge of the
precious valuables. Ezra and the people
arrive in Jerusalem and give o£erings
to the Lord for their safe travel. The king's
decree and all he has permitted is spoken
to the people.
Ezra
9, Ezra is disappointed and concerned about
the people's spiritual condition. They have
not separated themselves from the people
of the land and are in danger of repeating
the sins of their ancestors. Ezra is deeply
grieved for his people, and others join
him in his mourning. He prays to the Lord
for their iniquity, remembering the Lord's
past mercies and prays for His mercy to
fall upon them now.
Ezra
10, The people join in with Ezra mourning
their sins and Shechaniah calls the people
to put away their foreign wives and come
into obedience with the Lord. Ezra considers
each situation of marriage individually,
and compiles a list of all the o£enders
who have intermarried and bore children
with those wives.
GODLY
HERITAGE | Ezra 7:1-5
We
could quickly skim over this genealogy,
but I think it’s essential to stop and ask
ourselves why God felt it was so important
to introduce Ezra this way?
For
one, it established his authority as a priest
by tracing his lineage back to Aaron's Levitical
and priestly house. Even when hearing this,
it may still feel very “wah wah wah wah,”
as if it doesn’t apply to us.
But
I bet there were people back then who looked
at Ezra’s lineage and started pointing out
what this grandfather did and how evil that
cousin was, trying to disqualify him. We
can even disqualify ourselves by thinking
that we don’t have the most significant
background, and therefore, we don’t have
a leg up in society or the ranks of heaven.
But
I think God wants us to see that our lineage
is traced back to Him through Jesus. That
is the only heritage we genuinely need to
be concerned about. When we see our lineage
in Christ, we will not only be able to celebrate
if we have amazing people in our families,
but we can also celebrate the mercy of God
on our lives if we have a bunch of deadbeats
who came before us because we are not tied
to that. We are tied to God Almighty! Our
heritage comes from Him through Jesus. Heart
Check.
How
would you be introduced? How can you link
your family and heritage back to God? How
does this change your outlook on your own
life?
PREPARATION
| Ezra 7:1-10
Scribes
weren’t just glorified secretaries—they
were experts in the Law and the Word of
the Lord, meaning they were more like lawyers.
They intensely studied, preserved, taught,
and administered the word, so they were
also prophetic in the way they exhorted
and encouraged through the existing word.
But
what I love most about Ezra is that verse
10 says he set his heart to study the Law.
This means he knew he had a purpose and
did something about it. He was prepared
for the job! But guess when he did all that
studying? In exile!
He
decided to use that time wisely and sharpen
his skills instead of pouting and complaining
about what he didn’t have or how things
weren’t going the way he wanted them to.
So
when God finally tapped him on the shoulder
and sent him out, he was ready. Sometimes
we will be in those seasons of exile, where
we feel so far from our end goal, we may
feel like we are lacking the resources or
we don’t have anyone to support or champion
us in our endeavors. You may be experiencing
setbacks at every turn.
But
take heart and do what you can to sharpen
your skills in those seasons, so that when
God says to move out, you will be ready.
In a sense, we are all in exile, awaiting
a new season. There is always something
God is preparing us for. Heart Check.
How
are you preparing for the next journey God
will send you on?
BEAUTIFICATION
| Ezra 7:27
We
have seen a lot of criticism throughout
the years of the grandeur of church buildings
and temples, but here we see that God really
did have a heart to not only build His temple
but also beautify it. Where it becomes a
problem is when the beautification becomes
the focus, not God.
But
when we look at our own lives as holy temples,
it makes me wonder how much we consider
the beautification of our own temples. Many
of us are just trying to keep our heads
above water and are merely surviving.
But
God wants us to live in a temple that truly
exemplifies His beauty and glory. And this
beauty goes well beyond the physical and
is radiated from within. Heart Check.
Does
your temple refect the beauty of God? Do
you feel as though beauty exudes from the
overflow of your heart? What areas may need
some gentle repairs?
EXECUTE
| Ezra 8:23
Many
of us will say we need to fast and we do
deeply desire to do it, but actually getting
ourselves into the headspace and doing it
is a whole di£erent story. But Ezra
and his men knew how incredibly important
it was to doeverything possible to make
sure they were covered, and therefore they
put their resolve to fast into action. Our
problem isn’t goal setting, but rather execution
of the goals. Heart Check.
Is
there anything you have resolved to do that
you need to now execute?
STEWARDSHIP
| Ezra 8:34
Here
we see accountability at play—however the
o£erings weighed in at the beginning
of the journey, they would need to be the
same in the end. In other words, their integrity
was being put to the test.
We
see in the Bible how stewardship of money
and the way we handle it is often indicative
of how we will handle greater responsibility.
We will all give account one day for the
way we handled every gift, both material
and spiritual. Heart Check.
What
has God entrusted you with? How well do
you steward it? Does it refect your ability
to hold greater responsibility?
FORSAKE
| Ezra 10
This
can be a really sad ending, but scholars
believe this list of 114 men comprised of
less than half a percent of the entire population.
And these women were unwilling to forsake
their gods and submit their lives to the
Lord. Therefore, these men of faith were
willing to forsake their families in order
to get right with God. That’s how serious
they were about their relationship with
Him. That could not have been easy! Heart
Check.
What
have you forsaken to make sure you are maintaining
your covenant with God?
Deep
Dive
What
are the characteristics of Ezra, and how
does he inspire you in your daily walk?
How
does the dangerous journey and Ezra’s trust
in God along the way strengthen your faith?
What does their safe arrival say about God’s
character?
Why
was it so important to Ezra to send for
Levites?
How
important is communal fasting and prayer
today?
What
was the issue with interracial marriage?
How can we use this passage to evaluate
interfaith marriages today?
Heavenly
Father, We
thank you that we are a people who are indeed
favored by God.
It
may not always feel like it, but we know
your divine hand of protection is upon us,
your provision is on the way, and your redemptive
and restorative work is at hand. We know
this because the Spirit of God lives within
us, and wherever the Spirit is, the kingdom
comes. We are kingdom kids, a royal priesthood,
children of the Most High. When we are within
the kingdom, we have the favor of the King.
Thank you for that. Help us to see it with
clearer eyes and to perceive all that you
are doing in our midst. We may have gone
through some tough things in our lives,
but the best part of that phrase is that
you brought us through it!
We
don’t have to camp out in it any longer.
We can keep walking, so move our feet today.
I pray that your Word will continually light
the path so we can walk in your footsteps.
Continue
to teach us your Word, and may we respond
in obedience to it. I pray that we will
move beyond storing up knowledge and become
doers of your Word. May we be living examples
of it, and help us to understand that when
we do that, we are teaching others by example!
Not
all of us are called into seminary and into
traditional teaching from a pulpit, but
every one of us are called to teach by the
way we live. Let it be done.
We
know that you are preparing us all for the
next season, so I pray that you will show
us what skills need to be sharpened in this
time. Where can we improve, how can we be
better, and what can we be intentional about
so that we are ready when you tap us on
the shoulder and send us out into new territory?
What an exciting time it is! We want to
be movers and shakers in the kingdom. And
if the journey ahead looks dangerous, we
will simply put on more armor.
We
will set our hearts to study and continue
to sharpen our swords as we stand tall with
courage. And when we come out victorious,
we will continue to bless you for your steadfast
love and favor. There is nothing we can
do apart from you, and we recognize that.
Help
us to see and know the commissioning work
that has been purposed in heaven by you,
for us. I pray that we will never neglect
the work because we are comfortable in our
Babylon. I pray that we never let our purpose
die out for the sake of wallowing in lethargy.
Invigorate us to answer the call. If we
are struggling with doubt or really need
to hone in on our devotion to you, I pray
that you will move our hearts to do a fast.
And in the denial of the physical, we know
that you will begin to stir things up in
the spiritual. Humble our hearts, and show
us how to pray.
We
don’t ever want to treat you like a fast
food drive thru, where we only come when
we get a little hunger pang. But instead,
we want to seek you before we we are famished
so that there is a constant supply of fuel
as we depend on you for our strength.
We
know that as we begin our journey with you,
there will be robbers and bandits along
the way, because that’s the enemy’s whole
purposes—to steal, kill, and destroy. He
wants to pick us o£.
So
we ask again for your divine protection.
Help us to protect and steward well the
gifts that you have entrusted us with as
we make the trek. I pray that we will not
only end up with the same measure, but instead
may we increase the gifts to overfiowing
through good stewardship. I pray that we
will have good integrity in everything we
do and that we will prove ourselves to be
faithful stewards of everything you have
given to us. We truly are a blessed people,
for you have given us far greater than we
could ever deserve.
Thank
you for showing us the importance of prayer
today, especially in response to collective
or communal sin. Instead of pointing fingers
or trying to draw attention to everyone
else’s faults and failures, I pray that
we will instead be a people of prayer, taking
responsibility for our own sin and not trying
to use others’ sin as a mask to hide or
dilute our own.
If
there is anything we need to put away or
forsake in order to get right with you,
please remind us or show us where we may
have compromised. I pray that we will confess
those things to you and to anyone else we
may have hurt in the process, do your will,
and turn and begin moving in the other direction.
That’s what true repentance is. If we don’t
turn from it, our confession will be done
in vain.
Thank
you for the mercy that you continually bestow
upon us, no matter how far we may wander.
Thank you that we can come boldly to the
throne room of grace if we come with sincerity
and humility. I pray that we never take
this for granted. We don’t want to waste
your grace or use it as an excuse to continue
down a path that will ultimately destroy
us. I pray that the moment we feel a conviction
in our spirits, that we will be appalled
and ashamed the way Ezra was. We won’t sit
in this shame but may it move us to repentance.
Thank you for setting us free from the slavery
of sin and giving us footing within your
holy place. The only thing we want to be
a slave to is you. So please forgive us
for anything that has forsaken your Word.
Cleanse us from all impurity and make us
clean once again. I pray that when we stand
up from this prayer today, we will be revived
and renewed so that we can walk away unashamed.
Nehemiah
1, Nehemiah, the cup-bearer of the king
of Persia, is deeply grieved upon receiving
news of Jerusalem's ongoing struggles and
its inability to construct the city walls
for protection.
Nehemiah
mourns, fasts, and prays to the Lord that
He might strengthen him and send him to
help his people. He asks the Lord to remember
His promises to His people and raise them
up when they turn their hearts towards Him.
When he speaks to the king about his desire
to help with the rebuilding e£orts,
he pleads for the Lord to grant him success.
Nehemiah
2, King Artaxerxes recognizes Nehemiah's
sadness, and Nehemiah tells of his aching
heart for his people and their troubles
in Jerusalem. The king inquires about the
details of Nehemiah's journey and the supplies
needed to aid the rebuilding e£ort.
He sends Nehemiah signed letters proving
his commission from the king.
When
Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem, he faces
opposition from the present governors but
wisely does not reveal his assignment to
anyone. He awakes in the night and wanders
around the city quietly, inspecting the
extent of damage the walls have endured.
Nehemiah
3, Nehemiah details the construction of
each section of the wall of Jerusalem as
it is raised. Each of the builders is credited
and their tasked gate they are tasked with
reconstructing.
Nehemiah
4, The governors, Sanballat and Tobiah,
hear of the work being accomplished and
begin to mock and try to discourage the
workers. Nehemiah prays to the Lord for
strength in the midst of adversity and the
workers resolve and e£orts increase.
The
governors conspire with the peoples in the
region to mount a surprise attack on the
workers and cause chaos. As the threat looms
from outside the walls, the determination
of the workers begins to dwindle as the
task is slowly seeming impossible.
Nehemiah
learns of the imminent attack and calls
up for defenses. The Lord protects His people
and work continues on the wall. One half
of the people are tasked with working on
the wall, and the other half are prepared
to defend against future attacks that may
arise.
Nehemiah
5, The Jews cry out in distress to Nehemiah
regarding their lack of resources and food
in the land. Nehemiah rebukes the nobles
who have sought to profit from the misery
and misfortunes of their own people, and
they declare an oath to repent and begin
supporting the people.
The
governors continue to tax the people heavily,
but Nehemiah generously provides food for
the people from the king's provisions allotted
to him.
PRAYER
DRIVEN DREAMS | Neh. 1:4
I
love this. Nehemiah saw the problem, and
instead of going into a headspin and freaking
out, he mourned properly but also fasted
and prayed. He knew he had to do something
about it, but that he couldn’t do it without
the Lord’s help.
David
Guzik from Enduring Word said something
very interesting: “If prayer isn’t absolutely
necessary to accomplish your vision, your
goal isn’t big enough.” I thought to myself,
wow, how many of us are held back simply
because we aren’t dreaming big enough dreams
or seeing a vision that is beyond ourselves?
Heart Check.
How
big are your dreams? Are they big enough
that prayer is absolutely necessary?
THE
SAKE OF THE CALL | Neh. 1:11
Most
people introduce themselves in the beginning
of their letters or when they first meet
someone. I love how Nehemiah doesn’t mention
his title until the end, as if he is saying,
“Oh, and by the way, I’m a cupbearer.”
To
me, this not only shows an incredible amount
of humility, but it also describes the fact
that Nehemiah had every reason not to do
what he was asking the Lord to do.
Cupbearers,
believe it or not, were in a highly honored
and favored position. Yes, they would taste
the food and drink before the king would
ever set his lips to it, but this also meant
that he was greatly trusted and likely had
intel in both national and personal a£airs
of the king. He was at the king’s beckon
call as a personal bodyguard and was therefore
a busy guy!
Yet
the amazing thing is that even in his busyness,
he still took the time to study the Word
and to pray. Why in the world would he leave
the palace for this problem? Heart Check.
Would
you forsake all comfort and prominence for
the sake of the call of the Lord on your
life? Do you make the time now to seek out
what that call is?
PLANNING
| Neh. 2:6-8
Here
we see the favor of God upon Nehemiah but
in the context of his good leadership qualities.
Within these first 1.5 chapters, we have
already seen that Nehemiah is a visionary,
he’s compassionate, selfiess, prayerful,
wise, respectful, he sees a need, he makes
a plan, and he takes action. We talk a lot
about stepping out in faith, but there’s
also a lot to be said for having a plan
and not doing things haphazardly. We should
never think that faith replaces planning.
Even when we don’t have a plan, God does,
and even if we fail to plan, He will work
His out through us.
But
I believe that He ultimately wants us to
be planners as well, because he is a God
of order and not chaos. Proverbs 21:5 says,
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to
abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes
only to poverty.” Heart Check.
Do
you plan your life out? Or are you living
haphazardly? How have you balanced faith
and planning?
CONSIDER
YOUR WORDS | Neh. 2:12
Here
is another wonderful quality of Nehemiah.
He was wise with his words and was discerning
of God’s timing in which to speak them.
Most of us, when we hear some juicy gossip
or even when we get some great idea, the
first thing we want to do is tell someone.
It’s human nature!
But
sometimes, the best thing to do is to commit
our plans to the Lord and let others find
out through our actions rather than our
words. We should really consider before
dispelling everything to everyone why we
are saying it—is it to make ourselves look
good or someone else look bad? Heart Check.
Do
you consider your words, their purpose,
and their timing?
AUTHORITY
| Neh. 2:19-20
Anytime
you purpose your heart to do God’s will
and take the steps to begin the process,
there will be opposition.
A
few years ago, my husband and I were exhibitors
at a huge fishing convention. My husband’s
fishing products were on display, and people
came by and ignorantly commented on the
products because they had no idea what they
were and how they worked, nor did they want
to know.
One
of our friends, who happens to be a federal
marshal with a very dry sense of humor,
began saying in the background, “Nothing
to see here. Move along,” as if it were
a crime scene.
And
I love Nehemiah’s response and the way he
also said, “I have authority from God and
that’s all I need.” He knew his purpose,
and he knew the authority by which it came,
so he was able to tell these men that they
were not going to stop him.
Sometimes
this is all it takes for us to be able to
shoo the devil o£ of our shoulders
and to silence his lies. Sometimes we don’t
need to say anything at all, because God’s
silent authority is louder than the devil’s
lies. Heart Check.
Do
you know where your authority comes from?
Are you able to allow that to silence the
enemy’s opposition?
KINGDOM
BUILDING | Neh. 3
In
the end, we see that everyone who was there
and willing played a role in the rebuilding.
It didn’t matter what their career, gender,
or socioeconomic status was—everyone pitched
in.
We
all have a role to play in our communities
and in kingdom building. We are the fellow
workers of God (1Cor 3:9), meaning we labor
right alongside with Him. Heart Check.
What
role are you playing in the building of
God’s kingdom and your community?
TRUTH
IN CRITICISM | Neh. 4:2
Since
the mocking couldn’t stop Nehemiah, now
Sanballat and Tobiah have turned to intimidation.
They’re trying to discourage the rebuilding
through criticism. But what’s interesting
is that there is usually some truth in critical
remarks, and we will typically allow the
enemy to infiame those remarks with his
lies. For example, if someone says, “Kanoe
you talk too fast,” which is true.
But
then the enemy comes in and says, “You’re
doing a terrible job. No one appreciates
your work. You’re not cut out for this.
You should just quit.” This is where we,
as believers need to be able to decipher
the truth and allow it to rise above the
lie. Heart Check.
Are
you able to be sensitive to truth in the
midst of criticism?
SELFLESS
FIGHT | Neh. 4
Here
again, we see more leadership qualities
in Nehemiah.
He
didn’t even give the enemy the time of day
but instead prayed when they tried to intimidate
the people using fear tactics. And when
the people became weary, he gathers the
people to pray together instead of going
o£ in his corner and sulking. He knows
the power of community and he uses it to
their advantage. He knew that they had more
to fight for than just themselves, and he
made sure to remind the people of this—God
was on their side. He would fight for them
and their families, but it would require
them to do the same.
And
Nehemiah led by example, willing to lay
his life down for the people he loved. Heart
Check.
What
are you fighting for? Does it go beyond yourself?
Are you willing to sacrifice your wants and
desires for the sake of others?
MONEY
SCALE | Neh. 5
We
end this section with the topic of money.
Nehemiah clearly modeled that he wasn’t
about the gold but all about God. He was
generous and selfiess, unwilling to take
what was rightfully his, and this was his
personal choice, not an obligation. He had
a personal conviction and he acted upon
it. This all stemmed from the way that he
feared the Lord and wasn’t looking for the
praise of man. Incredible. Heart Check.
Where
do you fall on the money scale? Are you
heavier on the gold side or the God side?
Deep
Dive
How
can we relate the condition of Jerusalem
to the state of our nations today? How does
Nehemiah’s reaction inspire your response
to it?
What
does Nehemiah’s understanding of God’s character
teach us about the heartbeat of God?
How
can we model our prayers after Nehemiah’s
prayer?
How
does the rebuilding work display the importance
of unity in accomplishing a goal?
How
does the rebuilding refiect the importance
of spiritual rebuilding and how might each
gate refiect the di£erent areas of
our spiritual walk?
Heavenly
Father, O
Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome
God who keeps His covenant and steadfast
love with those who love Him, hear our prayer
today.
May
we have a heart like Nehemiah. We see how
much love he had for his nation and his
people. We don’t need to be cupbearers and
in places of honor to be this way. So mold
our hearts into this likeness, for we know
that when we have this type of compassion,
it models and refiects your heart.
We
know that we have all fallen short of the
glory of God, so we confess our sins to
you. Thank you for redeeming us from a life
of slavery to sin and placing us, by your
great power and by your strong hand, into
a glorious place of servanthood to you.
It delights us to fear your great name.
So
hear every cry and every plea, and grant
your servants success today in everything
they put their hearts and minds to, especially
when they are in alignment with your will.
May
we be a people of great vision and dreams
that are beyond what we could ever imagine,
and I pray that when we see these things,
we will immediately seek your guidance.
So many of us shy away from leadership,
but you have called us to lead in some area
of our lives, so I pray that we will fearlessly
and boldly lead with you ultimately at the
helm. It’s that simple idea of follow the
leader.
If
we are following you, we will be leading
others in the right direction. We may say
we don’t know how to lead, but if we stay
rooted in your Word, and listen for your
prompting in our Spirit, we will know where
to go and what to do. This may require us
to forsake some comfort in our lives, but
you will not forsake us in the process.
In fact, you promise to return the blessing
and to honor those who serve.
We
know that you are a God of order and always
have a plan, so may we be the same in the
way we live our lives. I pray that faith
will never be a substitute for planning.
But most of all, may we allow your Spirit
to guide us, for we know that you order
the steps of the righteous and if we diligently
follow your steps, we are ultimately following
in your plan.
I
pray that we will all take inventory of
the broken down places in our lives so that
we will know what is in need of repair.
And the moment we see where we are vulnerable,
may we submit it to you for a prognosis
and treatment plan. You are the Great Physician
and the Restorer. We know and trust that
your hand is upon us as we seek that restoration.
Help us to rise up and begin building.
When
we face opposition, I pray that we will
remain faithful to the call. Sometimes the
opposition will come from those closest
to us, which hurts all the more. So I pray
that we will be fueled by grace and not
offense.
Help
us to stand firm in the foundation of your
promise and authority in our lives. If you
have called us to it, you will be faithful
to complete it, whether we do the work or
not. But we don’t want to leave any kingdom
business unfinished. So thank you for equipping
us and strengthening us for the job. I pray
that we will understand our role, the people
and resources that you are o£ering
to help, and that we will not hesitate when
the devil tries to thwart your plans. He
will not win, but sometimes he can delay
the project by getting some of sidetracked.
So may your voice of truth ring louder than
his lies and give us discernment in deciphering
between the two.
Our
hearts desire to do your work, but sometimes
in the doing, we get sidetracked or discouraged
by what someone else may be doing. I pray
that we will stay focused on what we are
called to do and not worry about everyone
else. Let our focus be on our homes and
families first before we try to go outside
of our own walls. We know we have been uniquely
designed and gifted for a unique role in
the kingdom, so I pray that we will focus
on that.
But
may we also be champions for unity, knowing
that when we work together with others,
we are much more e£ective. May we
be the type of people who build up instead
of tear down. I pray that we will strengthen
and encourage instead of finding weaknesses.
We know that every single person matters,
so let us see each person through your lenses
and help them rise in their purpose as well.
Let us, as believers, be of one mind, one
accord, one purpose, for your glory always.
So
may our faith be unshakeable and may we
be resilient when we are weathering a storm.
Give us the strength and determination we
need to face our adversity with courage.
Show us what we can do practically to make
sure our families are protected, as we bear
the spiritual armor of your Word. May it
never leave our side and always be ready
when the enemy pounces. We know that you
are fighting for us and anywhere your foot
treads, fear must leave.
So
as long as we are standing in your territory,
we have home field advantage, and we will
not the let the sneers of the enemy win.
Greater is He who is in me than he who is
in the world! Help us to remain vigilant
and protect our faith and family first and
foremost, and in doing so, we can strengthen
the church from within as we ward o£
the spiritual darkness in prayer and unity.
And
I pray that we all practice what we preach
in the way that we live our lives by the
standard of your Word. I pray that we will
never be a people who sit and condemn others,
but instead, if we do find weaknesses that
may be hurting others, may we be like Nehemiah
in the way that we speak truth in love.
But more than anything, I pray that we will
be the first to lead by example.
May
our words match our actions as they ultimately
align with your goodness, kindness and love.
I pray that everything we do and everything
we have be used for the advancement of the
gospel and never for pure selfish gain.
May our hearts be generous in the way that
we give unto others and seek to advance
the gospel. For in blessing others, we will
also bless you.
Nehemiah
6, The walls of Jerusalem have been wholly
rebuilt and filled in, only the massive
gates at every entrance remain to be hung.In
a last-ditch effort to prevent Jerusalem
from being secure from her surrounding enemies,
Sanballat and Geshem send Nehemiah to meet
with them. Nehemiah discerns their ill intentions
and sends a messenger in his place.
They
devise another plan to discredit Nehemiah
and threaten to send word to the king of
Persia that Nehemiah's true intention is
to proclaim himself king of Judah. Nehemiah
prays to the Lord for strength over his
enemies' verbal attacks.
Shemaiah
is sent to claim he means to protect Nehemiah
falsely, and he attempts to deceive him
by hiding within the temple and provoking
doubt among the people of Nehemiah's faith
in the Lord to protect.
The
walls are declared complete and solid, and
Tobiah continues to threaten and discredit
Nehemiah.
Nehemiah
7, Nehemiah appoints guards at all stations
of the wall. The Lord places on his heart
to register all the people, by genealogy,
who had returned to the land of their fathers
and completed this great work.
DISCERNMENT
| Neh. 6:2
If
Nehemiah ever needed discernment, it was
now. We throw this word around a lot in
Christian circles, to the point that some
even use it as a substitute to judge or
condemn people.
However,
discernment is not a means of condemnation
but rather the ability to judge a matter
based on God’s view and not outward appearance.
So, our hearts need to be in the right place
as well because God always looks at the
heart of the matter and at the heart of
people, and He will always be able to see
the good or the bad when others may not
necessarily spot it. That’s what discernment
is. Nehemiah could see the bad in this situation
and, therefore, steer clear of it. Heart
Check.
How’s
your discernment? Are you able to spot the
good or bad in matters when others can’t?
GREAT
WORK | Neh. 6:3
Nehemiah’s
discernment got him focused on the work
he was doing, and he knew he had no time
for distractions. And what I love is that
he was able to boldly say, “I am doing a
great work.”
This
was not him boasting about how great of
a job he was doing. He was saying that the
work he was doing for the glory of God and
for the purpose of others was great.
God’s
name was on this project as the general
contractor, and the protection of His people
was at stake if it didn’t get finished.
That’s what made it great. No matter what
job we do, whether you’re a teacher in the
classroom, a stay-at-home mom, a barber,
an accountant, or a bus driver… as long
as you are able to do it for the glory of
the Lord, it is great work. God’s name is
also on our walls of work, so we bear the
responsibility of doing it with excellence.
Heart Check.
Are
you doing a great work?
LIVING
TESTIMONY | Neh. 6:16
This
victory of finishing the temple had just
become their living testimony. Their faith
and steadfastness were witnessed by the
nations surrounding them, and this is exactly
how our lives should be.
Recently,
I had a senator from Hawaii contact me asking
if I knew anyone like me who could be their
communications director. And I kind of chuckled
and said, “Like me?” because my mind immediately
went to introvert nerd. But he was referring
to a person of faith who has media experience.
And I thought, wow, I’m living in another
state, and my faith is still bearing witness
back at home.
All
glory to God!
But
many of us will live our lives as Christians
in our hearts, yet no one takes notice.
I remember a time when I had just become
a fiight attendant at the ripe old age of
nineteen. I was reading my Bible on the
plane, and one of the fiight attendants
said, “I didn’t know you were a church girl.”
From that day forward, I vowed that I would
live my life in such a way that people knew
I loved Jesus. Heart Check.
Is
your life a living testimony to others around
you? Do people know that you are different
from the rest of the world?
Deep
Dive
What
leadership qualities does Nehemiah display
in these chapters?
How
does his response to the opposition refiect
His trust and faith in God?
What
evidence points to Nehemiah’s knowledge
of God’s law? Why was this important?
How
does Nehemiah inspire you to be persistent
and finish the work?
How
does the recording of the di£erent
roles and families display the value of
each person in today’s church?
What
lessons can we learn in today’s reading
about the victory and what comes after it?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for being such a faithful God.
You
have given us every reason throughout the
generations to trust you. Your provision,
your grace, your mercy, your kindness are
just a few of the things that have been
proven time and again, and we see it here
in the life of Nehemiah. Because he saw
you and knew you, he was able to persevere
in times of hardship and weariness, he was
able to stand firm when he faced opposition
and accusation, and he maintained his integrity
through it all as he relied on you. What
an incredible testimony of unwavering faith
and courage. I pray that you will bolster
our faith in the same way as we trust in
you.
Help
us to continually take inventory of our
own walls, gates, and bars, looking for
areas where we may be weak or vulnerable
so that the enemy cannot find an easy breach
in which he can attack. We know he doesn’t
stop until he gets us to quit, and we refuse
to give up or give in. So we may be fighting
a spiritual battle until the day you take
us home, but we aren’t fighting alone. You
are with us, fighting for us, so we need
not fear. We will sink our feet in the ground
and continue doing a great work.
Thank
you for the place you have called us to
be in this season. I pray that we will not
forsake it but rather see it for the blessing
that it is, whether it is praising you for
being with us in the hard times or praising
you for the blessing. Either way, we trust
that we are here for a purpose, and we will
choose to see you in it. Let us not be distracted
by any ploys of the enemy. We know that
his distractions don’t always come wrapped
in devil horns and pitchforks. They will
often be disguised in glitter and gold,
so increase our discernment in all matters.
Allow our hearts to filter out the good
and bad so that we can respond properly.
Show us what to do as we depend on your
Holy Spirit’s guidance. We commit ourselves
to continue to know your Word and to grow
in spiritual maturity so that we can steward
that gift of discernment well. Let us tune
out the lies and only listen for your truth.
We know we can’t stop people from talking
bad about us, but we can control the way
we react to it. Instead of cowering to intimidation
or fear, help us to stand up, to stand firm,
and to stay rooted in righteousness as we
persevere in the good work.
As
we do that, may our lives be a witness to
others around us. We are called to live
holy lives that are set apart from the world.
We are the minority and we should therefore
appear to be di£erent in the best
way. And the only opinion in the matter
that we care about is yours. If what we
do pleases you, it will ultimately please
the right people who have the right heart
anyway. All other opinions will be stamped
invalid.
We
pray for our leaders today, knowing what
kind of tremendous pressure they must be
under. Leaders of the home, leaders in business,
leaders in our community and leaders of
our nations—they all endure things that
many of us know not of. So will you strengthen
them today. Give them wisdom and discernment
in all decisions they have to make. We pray
for more Godly infiuence in their lives
and decisions. Do not let them cave to fear
or intimidation but instead remain steadfast
in their calling and responsibility. We
know it can feel very lonely at the top,
but let them know that they are not alone.
Give them strength to withstand any personal
attacks or temptation and the courage to
overcome any obstacles that stand in their
way.
Thank
you for every person who hears my voice
today. I pray that they hear your gentle
whisper calling their name and may they
feel a sense of peace, knowing that no matter
what is going on around them, it is only
temporary, and we are able to hold on to
the promise of our name being called during
the heavenly roll call one day. That is
ultimately what matters. On that day, we
will be able to hit the biggest thumbs up
button when the Lamb’s Book of Life is opened,
knowing that we have a place in it, written
in permanent ink. We thank you, Jesus, for
making it possible and for showing us how
valued we are in the kingdom.
Nehemiah
8, All of Judah gathers at the Water Gate,
and Ezra reads the Book of the Law, which
Moses had written for the children of Israel.
The people show great reverence as the book
is read aloud, joyfully worship, and bow
their heads to the Lord God.
The
Levites explain the laws to the people so
they might understand and obey. The people
begin to mourn over the sins committed against
the Lord. Nehemiah tells them to go out
rejoicing for the Lord is working on their
behalf. The people begin to thirst for more
hearing of the words of the Lord, and they
celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
Nehemiah
9, The children of Israel mourn with fasting,
sackcloth and dust on their heads in a great
national gathering. They separated themselves
from the pagan foreigners among them. The
Book of the Law is read again as the people
continue to confess their sins and worship
the Lord.
Praises
are declared to the Lord as Creator, Deliverer,
and Provider. Thankfulness is proclaimed
as they remember the covenant the Lord made
with Abraham and how He has been gracious
to their ancestors despite their rebellion
towards Him. They pray for God's intervention
in their lives, and vow a new covenant to
the Lord.
Nehemiah
10, Nehemiah along with the priests sign
the newly declared covenant they have made
with the Lord. A listing of all who signed
the document are recorded.
The
people make an oath before God to walk in
His ways, or su£er under another curse
from the Lord. They vowed to follow all
of God's commands when they consider marriage,
as they celebrate the Sabbath and honor
the year of Jubiliee, and as they follow
the Lord's ordinances and serve Him.
ATTENTIVE
LISTENING | Nehemiah 8:3
There’s
so much to unpack in these first few verses.
We see that the people are actively seeking
God’s Word. Every person who could understand,
including children, was present, and they
were demanding to hear it. The last part
of verse 3 struck me deeply: “And the ears
of all the people were attentive to the
book of the law.”
What
does “attentive” mean here? It’s not just
hearing the Word, but actively listening.
This isn’t about walking out the door after
church and forgetting everything until the
next Sunday. No, this is about being a hearer
and a doer of the Word. So, here’s the heart
check:
Is
listening to the Word of God an active tradition
in your family, one that includes truly
hearing and applying the Word?
REVERENCE
| Nehemiah 8:6
We
also see here that the people physically
moved in worship. It wasn’t just lip service
like saying “Amen!” or “Hallelujah.” They
stood up, praised God, and then prostrated
themselves on the ground, showing true submission
and reverence. They honored God with their
whole being, not just their words.Heart
Check.
Do
you, like the Israelites, have a heart that
shows reverence for God's Word? How do you
express your awe of His presence?
CLARITY
| Nehemiah 8:8
In
this passage, we see a significant shift
in how God's Word is presented. Nehemiah
and the priests are moving away from the
old temple rituals, focusing instead on
teaching and explaining the Word of God.
Verse 8 shows how the people had to understand
the Word, not just hear it. Back then, the
people spoke Aramaic, but the scriptures
were still in Hebrew. So, it was essential
to make God's Word plain and clear for everyone.
This
reminds me of how we approach translations
today. We have so many versions of the Bible—the
ESV, KJV, NIV, NLT, and others—and while
people may argue about which is better,
the most important thing is that it’s understandable
and relatable. God’s Word needs to pierce
the heart, and if the language gets in the
way, that won’t happen.
For
me, I often think about the people in my
life with learning disabilities, like ADHD.
I know I’m likely undiagnosed with ADHD,
and that explains how I jump from idea to
idea. Reading the ESV or even the King James
can be challenging for people like me or
my family. I’ve seen how hard it can be
for them to grasp certain concepts because
the language is too complex or not in their
vernacular. That’s why I often suggest simpler
translations, like the NLT, which make the
text clearer without losing the meaning.
It’s
the same reason why I simplify things when
I’m teaching or explaining Scripture—whether
it's to my kids or in this podcast. I’m
using the language and context I grew up
with, and that’s okay! God’s Word should
be alive, relevant, and accessible. It’s
not about holding one translation or tradition
as superior but about ensuring that people
understand the core message. Heart Check.
When
you read God's Word, do you seek to make
it clear and simple for yourself and others,
ensuring that it is understood in a way
that leads to action?
JOY
| Nehemiah 8:9-10
The
people were told not to weep - yet. It was
a joyous occasion to celebrate the provision
of God—a return to festivals in remembrance.
Heart Check.
In
times of conviction, do you also remember
to rejoice in the grace of God and celebrate
the joy that comes from His forgiveness?
REPENTANCE
| Nehemiah 9:1-2
In
these verses, we see a return to weeping
and repentance. The people were previously
instructed not to mourn during the celebration,
but now the time has come for them to release
their grief and turn their hearts back to
God.
Sometimes,
life presses us to keep going, and we carry
deep grief or burdens without knowing how
or when to express them. I know I’ve experienced
moments where I had to press through, pushing
down my grief because it wasn’t the right
time to mourn. But when I finally found
a quiet moment with God, I released it all
in His presence.
The
Israelites were at a point where it was
no longer time to hold it in—they came together
in fasting, with sackcloth and dirt on their
heads, showing true repentance and humility
before God. It was a communal return to
God, a collective acknowledgment that they
had strayed and now needed to lay their
burdens, sins, and grief before Him.Heart
Check.
Is
there something heavy in your life you need
to grieve over or release to God in repentance?
Is it time to mourn and lay your burdens
before Him?
COVENANT
| Nehemiah 10:28-29
The
people separated themselves from the non-Jews,
but this wasn’t about race—it was about
holiness. This was about people willing
to leave behind pagan practices and idolatry
to follow God’s ways. Heart
Check.
Are you willing to separate yourself
from things that lead you away from God
and renew your commitment to holiness and
faithfulness to His covenant?
Deep
Dive
How
does listening attentively to God's Word
(like the Israelites in Nehemiah 8:3) impact
your daily life and decision-making?
What
does showing reverence for God's Word look
like in your life? How do you demonstrate
honor for the Scriptures in practical ways?
How
do you handle the balance between understanding
God's Word and applying it to your life?
Do you make time to both read and refiect
on how it applies to you?
When
you experience conviction, how do you move
from sorrow to joy, as Nehemiah instructs?
What role does grace play in your response?
In
what areas of your life do you need to practice
true repentance? How can you cultivate a
heart that is soft enough to recognize the
need for repentance and change?
How
committed are you to living out your faith
in a covenant relationship with God? Are
there any aspects of your life where you
feel "unequally yoked" and need
to make a change?
Heavenly
Father, we
come before You with hearts that are open
and willing to be molded by Your Word.
Just
as the Israelites gathered to hear Your
Law and experienced revival, we ask that
You awaken a hunger within us to actively
listen, understand, and apply Your truths
in our lives. Lord, help us to honor You
with reverence and awe, and may we never
take lightly the privilege of hearing Your
Word.
We
ask for clarity as we study the Scriptures,
that You would make Your wisdom plain and
simple for us to grasp. Guide us to live
in joy, even in times of correction, knowing
that Your grace abounds and that Your joy
is our strength. Lord, for those of us who
are carrying burdens of unconfessed sin,
grief, or struggles, we ask for the courage
to release them to You. Let this be a season
of true repentance, where we lay our hearts
bare before You and allow Your healing touch
to restore us.
We
commit ourselves to holiness, just as the
people of Nehemiah’s time did, separating
ourselves from anything that leads us away
from You. Strengthen us in our covenant
relationship with You, that we would live
in obedience and faithfulness. May our lives
refiect Your glory, and may our families,
communities, and churches be places where
Your Word is honored and Your name is lifted
high.
Nehemiah
11, The city walls of Jerusalem are built,
and the people of Israel need to decide
who will live inside the city and who will
be dispersed throughout the rest of the
land. The leaders of Israel are established
within the city, and lots are drawn among
the people for a place in Jerusalem.
A
record of all the names of the leaders living
in Jerusalem is recorded, and Nehemiah provides
a listing of villages that were settled
by the rest of the returned exiles.
Nehemiah
12, Nehemiah records the names of the priests
and Levites who came back to Judah during
Zerubabbel's reign. He also records the
priests during Joiakim's reign and Darius's
reign.
The
people celebrate the dedication of the newly
repaired wall and gates, and the priests
and children of Israel are purified before
the Lord. All who were in Jerusalem enjoyed
a grand celebration, and the priests began
their daily service to the Lord and all
o£erings made to Him.
Nehemiah
13, The people of Israel collectively hear
the Book of the Law again read to them and,
in repentance, follow God's commands to
separate themselves from those under the
Lord's covenant.
Nehemiah,
who had returned to the king's service in
Persia, is granted leave once more to inquire
about the welfare of the people and Jerusalem.
He finds the high priest Eliashib lacks
reverence for the Lord, no portion is given
to the Levites, and the people are not observing
the Sabbath. He was also greatly distressed
to hear of the people continuing to marry
foreign women, and their o£spring
were not taught the Jewish language but
spoke the language of their mothers. Nehemiah
attempts to correct the people's disobedience
and asks the Lord to remember his e£orts
even if the people stray from obedience
again.
Psalm
126, The psalmist remembers the return to
Jerusalem as a dream come true. He remembers
how they all greatly rejoiced and celebrated.
The psalmist asks the Lord for continued
restoration, knowing there is more work
to be done. Although there is rejoicing
currently, hard times will surely come their
way. After all their laboring, the end will
produce much joy for all.
MARKED
WITH GLADNESS | Neh. 12:27
The
wall's dedication was very similar to the
dedication of the temple in Ezra 6, in the
way that they were throwing a party for
what God had completed and doing so with
gladness.
Gladness
should be one of the marks of every believer
because our God is a God of gladness! Jesus’
first miracle was turning water into wine,
which means He desires to bring gladness
to the mundane. Heart Check.
Is
your life marked with gladness?
OVERFLOWING
JOY | Neh. 12:43
Can
you imagine this? Their joy could be heard
for miles! In other words, their joy was
a testimony to those who surrounded them.
When
it says that He made them rejoice with great
joy, this doesn’t mean He had to twist their
arm or coerce them into being joyful. This
joy was out of the overfiow of their worship.
Worship
should make us joyful because when we worship,
we are coming into the presence of God,
so if we are walking away from the same
old dud that we were when we went in, something
isn’t right in our hearts. Remember, the
people used to purify themselves before
they ever came into His presence.
But
we don’t have to do that anymore. We come
into His presence, and a cleansing takes
place. But if that isn’t happening, we somehow
resist the bath, and our joy won’t be heard
far away. Heart Check.
Does
joy overflow out of your worship? Can others
hear that joy? Is your worship a part of
your testimony?
GREAT
THINGS | Psalm 126:3
The
people are overfiowing with joy here. They
are looking around at their lives and are
simply in awe of the great things that God
has done for them. This isn’t some fake
hype but true gladness that wells from within.
It’s
merely impossible to have a heart of gratitude
and not be glad. This doesn’t mean you won’t
have sorrow in life, but there will be a
filling of the joy reserves that you will
eventually need to tap into when the going
gets tough. So let’s take inventory. Heart
Check.
What
great things has God done in your life?
Take a look around. What are you grateful
for?
TEACHABLE
| Neh. 13:3
What
we are seeing here is that the Word of God
is confronting the people in the areas where
they had long ignored the Spirit. The Holy
Spirit is a perfect gentleman, meaning He
will not force us to conform to holiness.
He will nudge us gently, sometimes so softly
that we brush it o£ thinking it must
not matter that much.
But
if we keep pressing, we know that when we
come to the Word, it punches straight in
the face, which is exactly what is happening
here. Up to this point, they didn’t even
realize they were in the wrong for marrying
people who hadn’t committed their lives
to God. We know this because of their response.
Once they were confronted with sin, they
changed their ways. They had a teachable
spirit and were ready to conform to holiness.
Heart Check.
Are
you teachable? When the Holy Spirit nudges
you or the Word punches you, do you change
your ways?
REMEMBER
ME | Neh. 13
In
the end, we see that Nehemiah was a fighter
for the overall good. He was passionate,
he was zealous, and he was a man of not
only faith but also of action. He didn’t
sit by and let things fall apart. He didn’t
camp out in his mess and whine and complain.
He took the steps to get out of the funk
they were in. And because so, he was able
to say, “Lord remember me for the good that
I’ve done.” Heart Check.
What
would you be remembered by? Are you fighting
for good?
Deep
Dive
How
does chapter 11 refiect God’s view of community?
What role does community play in your life?
What
relationship can be seen between purification
and worship? How does it apply today?
What
does the dedication of the wall symbolize
spiritually? What would be the modern equivalent
of this?
What
might a virtual Ammonite look like in today’s
church?
What
are the greatest lessons you have learned
through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah?
Thank
you for our families, our churches, the
places in which we live, and even this very
Bible study family.We see how significant
togetherness is in the viability and strength
of any purpose. I pray that we will all
be able to take a look around and see the
value in those who surround us. Help us
to link arms with others so we can be a
part of something greater. In doing this,
it may require a little bit of sacrifice,
particularly in giving up the comfy life.
But we also know that in the end, it will
all be worth it, for two is always better
than one.
May
we be a people who always strive for the
collective good rather than selfish serving
betterment. And when we see an opportunity
arise, I pray that we will be bold in stepping
up to meet the need or help out where necessary.
We don’t want to have to be asked to serve—we
want to embody a Christlike spirit, the
greatest servant of all. So may we be the
ones who lead by example and show others
what it truly means to be a servant of Christ.
As
we continue to grow in community, we will
inevitably grow in unity as well, and we
know that where unity is, you command a
blessing. This is even more reason to continue
a life of celebration and thanksgiving!
But
let it start with us. I pray that as we
worship, we will please your heart, and
in turn, you will infuse that joy right
back into us. I pray that we will not shy
away from publicly declaring our faith or
acknowledging you in all things.
May
our worship be a testimony to others, as
joy overfiows out of it. We want to show
others how hope and faith in a God who rebuilds
things from ruins can do the same for them.
We want to be able to celebrate with them
when they begin to consecrate their own
lives for the sake of your glory. So let
us be the trailblazers for them in finding
that place of surrender and holiness.
And
may our thanksgiving be shown in the way
that we pour out with generosity. This doesn’t
mean we are emptying our bank accounts into
the storehouses of churches or ministries,
but it means that we are living in such
a way that proves our gratitude. When we
are grateful, it won’t pain us to give back
to you and to others. And there are so many
ways to give. Show us how we can be a blessing
unto you, unto the church, and unto our
community.
And
if we haven’t already done so, I pray that
we will all dedicate our lives in service
to you. If that sounds dreadful, we may
be looking at it the wrong way. Jesus, you
embodied the heart of a servant like no
other, and yet you were the greatest man
who ever walked the earth. It pleased you
to please the Father. Oh, God, give us a
heart like that, because the spirit is willing,
but the fiesh is ever so weak. But we do
want to please you, so show us how to begin
doing so. As we commit ourselves to living
for you, you will open heaven and begin
to do things that are greater than anything
we could ever ask for, think, or imagine.
Let it be done.
May
we always have a teachable spirit. I pray
that we will be sensitive to the gentle
nudging of your Spirit so that we can continually
reform our lives to your holiness. We thank
you for the Word that sometimes punches
us in the face where we may have ignored
you. Thank you for loving us so much that
you relentlessly pursue as. Show us where
we may have compromised in any way so that
we can ensure that our temples remain pure
and holy. Forgive us if we have profaned
your dwelling place in any way, for we want
to honor you in everything we do.
Thank
you for the life of Nehemiah and the way
he displayed such courageous leadership.
I pray that we will envelop these same qualities
as we lead others. Help us to know our purpose
and stick to it. I pray that we will be
honest and transparent in everything we
do and say as we live our lives above reproach.
We know that if we want to succeed, there
will be risks, failure, and opposition that
come with the territory of doing your work,
but the reward that comes with it is far
greater than that risk. So may we value
hard work as we continue to trust you and
submit everything we do to you always.
Remember
us, O God, for our good.
And
we thank you that the end of our story is
one that is like a harvest of joy. This
reminder helps us to get through the tough
seasons of sorrow. This life is not the
end, so we will continue to hold on to hope—that
is you—in the middle of the struggle. Just
as you miraculously delivered and rebuilt
Jerusalem, so you will with us. So we will
keep planting seeds of faith along the way,
trusting in your goodness, knowing that
one day we will see that the planting was
not done in vain.
Malachi
1, The Lord declares His love and faithfulness
for His people through Malachi as He answers
rhetorical questions the people have regarding
how He has shown them love, how they have
despised His name, and how they have defiled
His altar.
God
desires His people to worship Him. If they
continue to despise Him, He will find others
willing to praise Him and His goodness,
even if they are found among the Gentiles.
God will not stand false worship and has
promised to curse those who continue on
their contempt for Him.
Malachi
2, The Lord warns His priests to turn from
their complacency in their worship, and
obey all of His statutes and commands as
they offer sacrifices to Him.
He
reminds them of the character of a godly
priest and His expectation of being a shepherd
to the people. The Lord condemns the priests
for ungodly marriages and their lack of
respect for the sanctity of marriage, as
they are so quick to divorce their wives
without a second thought. They question
where God's justice is when they are cursed,
and others seem to prosper.
Malachi
3, The Lord proclaims the coming of His
messenger. His task will be to prepare the
hearts and minds of the people for the coming
of the Lord. A second Messenger is also
proclaimed who will purify the priesthood
and refine them. He will provide a pleasing
sacrifice to the Lord. The Lord rebukes
their unfaithfulness to Him and calls the
people to repentance. The Lord curses the
people for robbing Him of what rightfully
belongs to Him.
The
people question God's priorities but are
reminded that He keeps record of all who
revere Him, and they will be rewarded.
Malachi
4, A promise from the Lord is spoken that
a day is coming when the righteous will
defeat the wicked, and all evil will be
burned up. The people are commanded to remember
the Law of Moses and expect the coming of
Elijah the prophet, before the great and
terrible day of the Lord. He will come to
turn their hearts back to the faith of their
fathers.
MEASURING
TAPE | Malachi 1:1-2
Before
God corrects the people, He assures them
of His love for them. But their response
is full of doubt in the way that they say,
“Show us how you have loved us.” In other
words, they wanted Him to prove it beyond
what He already had. They doubted His love
for them because they were using the wrong
measuring tape.
They
were basing His love on their corrupt government
and poor economy, concluding that He didn’t
care about them. Sometimes, we can find
ourselves in this position where things
aren’t going as planned, or our prayers
aren’t being answered how we want them to.
But material blessings should never indicate
God’s love and care for us. Our measuring
tape of God’s love is based upon what He
has done and His willingness to send His
one and only begotten Son to die on the
cross for our sins. Heart Check.
What
measuring tape do you use to measure God’s
love and care for you? Do you believe that
He truly loves you the way He says He does?
LEAD
BY EXAMPLE | Malachi 1:6
The
priests were supposed to lead by example
in the way they upheld the sacrificial system,
but they weren’t. We may think this doesn’t
apply to us as mere sheep, but remember,
we as believers are a royal priesthood,
meaning we are now the ones who are called
to live by example for the unbelieving world.
If we casually dismiss sin or on the fiip
side, constantly condemn, then we are like
the priests who were misrepresenting Him
and despising His name or character. Heart
Check.
Are
you leading by example? What attitudes or
actions do others see in you? Do they reflect
the heart, name, and character of God?
CONVENIENT
STORE OFFERINGS | Malachi 1:6-8
The
priests are taken by surprise when the Lord
says they have dishonored Him.
This
indicates a slow drift—they had, little
by little, compromised in the way they were
making service a whole lot more convenient
for people, and now they’re so far gone
that they don’t even realize they have done
wrong in o£ering blind sacrifices
or defiled food.
We
can still do this in the way that we worship
God while continuing to turn a blind eye
to blatant sin.
Or
if we, as living sacrifices, give God our
leftovers instead of the best of our time,
gifts, and energy, then we, too, are bringing
a convenient store version of half-hearted
o£erings. Heart Check.
Does
God get the best of your time, your gifts,
and your energy? Or are you bringing Him
convenient but half-hearted gifts?
GIVING
| Malachi 3:6-12
The
thing we need to understand about tithes
and o£erings is that God isn’t just
holding a constant fundraiser. He’s not
raising money, He’s raising His kids. We
are, by sin nature, selfish, greedy, and
untrusting. But when we give back to God
just a small portion of what He was blessed
us with, we are saying, “God I see that
every good gift comes from you, and I am
giving back just a tiny bit in trust and
gratitude.” When we do that, we let go of
worry and doubt that He will provide, and
we become more generous and more faithful.
We essentially become more like Him! And
that’s what He wants—He wants our hearts.
Heart Check.
Does
your giving reflect His heart?
HEARTBEAT
OF GOD | Malachi 1-4
With
this final warning that is spoken, we finish
out the Old Testament. We could easily miss
that if we just glossed over this book to
quickly finish. But we have learned throughout
the di£icult readings how to find
the heartbeat of God. And here in this book,
He displays so much hope for the hopeless.
He has just laid the foundation for the
Savior of the world to come. He is giving
us a promise for our own future, that one
day we will run free with abandon, perfected
in righteousness. What a glorious hope that
is! So as we close, Heart Check.
How
have you seen God’s heartbeat revealed throughout
the Old Testament?
Deep
Dive
What
does it mean to be chosen by God? Why is
this significant or important for us to
understand?
Is
God’s demand for pure worship righteous?
How might the church still offer “blind
sacrifices” or “defiled food” today?
What
evidence can be seen of God’s sovereign
love and grace in your life?
What
is the significance of the tithe then and
now?
Look
at the characteristics of God that you have
learned throughout the Old Testament. How
is His unchanging nature on display today?
What
a profound declaration of your love, that
you would choose someone like us. This just
proves how incredibly wide, long, high,
and deep your love truly is—that it would
reach across the universe to someone like
me and it would extend to the heavens.
There’s
no height too high that would keep you from
showing your love and there’s nothing we
could do that could ever stoop so low to
keep that love from us. This is enough for
us to choose and love you back. We don’t
need you to prove it, for you already have
in the way that you sent us Jesus. Thank
you for this reassurance today.
Please
forgive us if we have, in any way, treated
worship as something that is casual. Forgive
us if we have brought you half-hearted or
convenient store o£erings. You don’t
look for perfection or performance—you just
want the fullness of our hearts.
You
desire sincerity and purity, so I pray that
we will give you our very best rather than
what’s convenient. May we be an example
of what it means to be true worshippers.
We have the honor of being a royal priesthood,
so I pray that we will display that in everything
we do. God forbid we ever get to the end
and have to ask, “What do you mean, ‘You
knew me not’?” We want to know and to be
known by you. So may we take heed to our
spirits and guard our hearts so that we
do not become apathetic in any way.
I
pray that we will always hold your name
in reverence as we continually grow in our
knowledge of your Word and your character.
Draw us closer to you each day as we pursue
your truth. And as we grow in this knowledge
and wisdom, may our character refiect that
in the words that we speak and in the way
that we walk with peace and uprightness.
May we be carriers of truth and justice.
In turn, I pray that others will follow
as they turn from their iniquity and follow
you.
We
know how much you care about the holy institution
of marriage, so I lift up all marriages
to you today and place them on the altar.
For those who are struggling through brokenness,
hurt, or mistrust, we ask that you bring
healing and restoration.
There
is nothing that is beyond repair, especially
where you have brought something together,
for there is no man who can separate that.
So let us rise above our own feelings and
work to honor you in the way that we honor
the earthly covenants we have made. Help
us to be the best spouses we can possibly
be, for in honoring and respecting them,
we are honoring you. Bless our spouses today,
and I pray that we will both be able to
see each other through your eyes. Where
hearts have hardened, or where feelings
or connections feel lost, I pray for revival.
May
your love radiate in every home today as
we remember that marriage is a covenant
and not merely based on feelings or emotions.
Let us remember how important even earthly
vows are in your eyes, and may we recall
the very words that we spoke on that day
of commitment and stay true to them. May
we show love the way you do—not just when
we’re good, successful, or sweet—you love
us always, through the good and the bad.
Help us to do the same. May every commitment
we make be one that is met with integrity
of heart.
Refiner’s
fire, thank you for purifying and cleansing
us. The refining process isn’t always a
pleasant one, but it is so necessary if
we do want to refiect your heart. So we
say today, have your way. Burn away the
dross that has infected our hearts.
Take
away any impurities that are dulling our
witness. Thank you, Jesus, for taking away
the brutal sting of death that we so deserved.
We are no longer subject to wrath but just
some small adjustments that need to be made
to correct us to holiness. This isn’t anything
new, for you never change. Your holiness,
mercy, love, and grace is all still unwavering
and just as evident today as it was then.
As we become more and more like you, mold
our hearts to become more generous and less
controlling. I pray that we will be faithful
and trusting in every aspect of our lives,
never neglecting the call to be generous
and cheerful in our giving. And in return,
we know you will open the windows of heaven
and pour out a blessing until there is no
need.
Thank
you for remembering us when we honor your
holy name. We know this will never be glossed
over, as we will one day stand before you
in account of all that we have done. How
we look forward to that day, for it means
that all will be made right in the world.
All
the pride and evil will be burnt to a cha£,
and the sun of righteousness will bring
forth healing in its wings. We will run
free in wide open pastures without ever
becoming faint or weary again. How we look
forward to this great Day of the Lord.
As
we close this last book of the Old Testament,
we do so with so much gratitude in the way
that you have taught us so much about you
and your love, patience, grace, and mercy.
You have allowed us to hear your precious
heartbeat. We feel it beating within us.
And as we look forward to the beautiful
gospel that will be unveiled in the next
few weeks, we walk into it with fullness
of heart already. We walk into it with praise
and thanksgiving. We walk into it with hope.
