Category: Reflections

9 “You looked for much [harvest], and behold, it came to little; and even when you brought that home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because of My house, which lies waste while you yourselves run each man to his own house [eager to build and adorn it].
10 Therefore the heavens above you [for your sake] withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its produce.
11 And I have called for a drought upon the land and the hill country, upon the grain, the fresh wine, the oil, upon what the ground brings forth, upon men and cattle, and upon all the [wearisome] toil of [men’s] hands.” Haggai 1:9-11 (The Amplified Bible)

God judged Israel when they had returned to Israel and Jerusalem from captivity, but were putting their own comfort and ease ahead of rebuilding the temple.
Can I expect God to do anything less to our country when we, and I, as Christians, put our materialism, pride, and self-will above seeking and doing His will?
I must change in His power. I cannot change in my own strength.

A Humble King Riding a Donkey
9“Shout and cheer, Daughter Zion!
Raise the roof, Daughter Jerusalem!
Your king is coming!
a good king who makes all things right,
a humble king riding a donkey,
a mere colt of a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9 (The Message)

My King, our King, the King of Kings, has come as prophesied. Live for Him. Die daily to myself so that I can let the Holy Spirit empower me to live faithfully for Him.

13 “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD ; Be strong and let your heart take courage ; Yes, wait for the LORD.”

(Psalm 27:13/14 NAS)

I believed, prayed, and waited. God answered beyond my imagination in my new job, responsibilities, and pay! It is my responsibility to continue to believe, pray, and wait. God will continue to answer.

Here in this great gathering for worship I have discovered this praise-life. And I’ll do what I promised right here in front of the God-worshipers. Down-and-outers sit at God ’s table and eat their fill. Everyone on the hunt for God is here, praising him. “Live it up, from head to toe. Don’t ever quit!” (Psalm 22:25, 26 MSG)

Praise “it up.” Live it up. Do it every day and every minute of the day.

8 “I hereby give official orders on how you are to help the leaders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that Temple of God: 1. All construction costs are to be paid to these men from the royal bank out of the taxes coming in from the land beyond the Euphrates. And pay them on time, without delays.
9 2. Whatever is required for their worship – young bulls, rams, and lambs for Whole-Burnt-Offerings to the God-of-Heaven; and whatever wheat, salt, wine, and anointing oil the priests of Jerusalem request – is to be given to them daily without delay
10 so that they may make sacrifices to the God-of-Heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
11 I’ve issued an official decree that anyone who violates this order is to be impaled on a timber torn out of his own house, and the house itself made a manure pit.
12 And may the God who put his Name on that place wipe out any king or people who dares to defy this decree and destroy The Temple of God at Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued an official decree. Carry it out precisely and promptly.”

Ezra 6:8-12 (The Message)

I must “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”

Psalm 122:6 KJV

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Psalm 122:6 KJV

1″In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia – this fulfilled the Message of God preached by Jeremiah – God prodded Cyrus king of Persia to make an official announcement throughout his kingdom. He wrote it out as follows:
2 From Cyrus king of Persia, a Proclamation: God, the God of the heavens, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has also assigned me to build him a Temple of worship in Jerusalem, Judah.
3 Who among you belongs to his people? God be with you! Go to Jerusalem which is in Judah and build The Temple of God, the God of Israel, Jerusalem’s God.
4 Those who stay behind, wherever they happen to live, will support them with silver, gold, tools, and pack animals, along with Freewill-Offerings for The Temple of God in Jerusalem.”

Ezra 1:1-4 (The Message)

Believe, pray, and act on God’s promises of blessings or judgement. They will be fulfilled as He says.

5 “Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding! Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!
6 Never walk away from Wisdom – she guards your life; love her – she keeps her eye on you.
7 Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!
8 Throw your arms around her – believe me, you won’t regret it; never let her go – she’ll make your life glorious.
9 She’ll garland your life with grace, she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”

Proverbs 4:5-9 (The Message)

If I have God’s Wisdom and obey Him, nothing in His will is impossible. Trust Him and pray for His Wisdom.

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. (Psalms 14:1 NASB)

Love and pray for fools because they do not admit God exists.