Sunday, September 30, 2012

Zechariah 8-14

Daily Reading
  Zechariah 8-14

Daily Thought

Much of the work of God's prophets is in the proclamation of judgments and the promise of redemption, but sometimes they foretell the future, and Zechariah more than many. It is a future of God's glory reflected in his people, "On that day the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land" (Zechariah 9:16). 

That day speaks of Jesus Christ, and 500 years before God's son rode into Jerusalem, Zechariah saw it coming. "Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9). Just as Zechariah foretold, Luke describes, "Throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it, saying, 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!'" (Luke 19:35, 38).

When Zechariah said, "They weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver" (Zechariah 11:12), is it possible he knew it was the price of betrayal? "Then Judas went to the chief priests and said, 'What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?' And they paid him thirty pieces of silver" (Matthew 26:14-15). Of those thirty pieces, Zechariah prophesied, "'Throw it to the potter'-the lordly price at which I was priced by them" (Zechariah 11:13), and they did, "So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers" (Matthew 27:7). 

While hanging on the cross, God's only son (John 3:16), the firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15), "one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear" (John 19:34); and Zechariah prophesied, "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn" (Zechariah 12:10). 

"This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified" (Acts 2:23). Right on schedule. 

Daily Prayer

All knowing, Almighty God, You are my salvation. You have rescued me from sin, through the blood and the love of Your Son, Jesus Christ. You have brought me into Your family, clothed me in righteousness, and set me apart to be a witness of Your grace.

You have shown me the future, a great future, a future I can be sure of, with Your Son on the throne and all the world subject to Him. In peace He reigns. I will follow You. Thank You for so great a salvation.

Amen

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Zechariah 1-7

Daily Reading
 Zechariah 1-7

Daily Thought

Haggai succeeded in motivating the people to build, and the Temple was well on its way to completion. God then called a younger prophet, Zechariah, to prepare not the Temple, but the new generation of worshipers. The question was asked, "Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?" (Zechariah 7:3). In other words, do we keep doing the same religion? A good question, but not an honest one, because God answered, "Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart" (Zechariah 7:9-10), and they didn't want to. 

The question is often asked if God hears all our prayers. The Israelites discovered when he doesn't, "As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear" (Zechariah 7:13). 

Daily Prayer

God, You have told me that if I truly love You I will obey You. And when I obey You, life works. It's not that I don't have problems, but I have peace. There is still chaos around me, but You are in control. Things don't always go my way, but I am content. Sometimes the wrong people succeed, but I can leave justice in Your hands.

But more than anything, I can talk to You. Nothing is blocking my prayers. My heart is soft and open to Your leading. It is good.

Amen

Friday, September 28, 2012

Haggai 1-2

Daily Reading
 Haggai 1-2

Daily Thought

It was Sunday morning and the Neri family checked in on facebook at Rolling Hills Community Church. "God 1st" read the comment. That afternoon, they checked in again, this time at AT&T Park in San Francisco; "Giants 2nd." I liked that, and they had got it right. Said Jesus, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

Judah had returned from exile in Babylon, commissioned by the Persian king Cyrus to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and its Temple. They half completed the project before they became half-hearted and the work stopped. For almost two decades, the work was ignored, when Haggai stood before the people and berated, "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" (Haggai 1:4). It wasn't that Judah did not have the means to finish the Temple, because they had the means to finish their homes. It was a choice, and it was me first, which is always what we choose when it's not God. 

The irony is, me first serves me least, "Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes" (Haggai 1:5-6). God saves the best for last, and those who put him first feast at his table. This time, the people listened to their God and obeyed, "and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God" (Haggai 1:14). They got it right.

Daily Prayer

My God, I love You with heart, soul, mind, and strength. My life is committed fully to You. May the life I live reflect my devotion to You. Where I work, may I serve You by serving others. In my home, may I build my house on the solid foundation of Your Word. In my neighborhood, may I love my neighbor as myself.

May the things I do bring You praise and glory.

Amen

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Habakkuk 1-3; Zephaniah 1-3

Daily Reading
Habakkuk 1-3; Zephaniah 1-3

Daily Thought

Habakkuk is puzzled that God would use a wicked nation to discipline his people. Judah deserved the punishment, but at the hands of the Chaldeans? "Why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?" (Habakkuk 1:13). 

God responded, they will get what's coming to them; "Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high" (Habakkuk 2:9). God was assuring Habakkuk, and informing the Chaldeans of an eternal truth before an all-knowing God, "Your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23). 

I have since childhood rooted for the University of Southern California football team. A few years back, USC had a coach and a running back who together won 34 consecutive games, two National Championships, and a Heisman Trophy. That would be quite a legacy, but it wasn't theirs. They had gotten evil gain for their house, to set their nest on high. They cheated. 

On June 10, 2010, the NCAA announced major sanctions against the Trojans. They were stripped of all victories in games featuring the running back, including a national championship. All titles won must be vacated, the banners draping the ceilings taken down, the trophies on the shelves removed; the Heisman, too. "For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the woodwork respond" (Habakkuk 2:11). This is their legacy.

Daily Prayer

My God, Yours is the Name above all names. There is authority in Your Name, and in Your Name I find life. Your Name is holy and good, righteous and powerful.

As a follower of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I wear Your Name. May the life I live not empty Your Name of glory, may I never take Your Name in vain or make light of it.  In all I do, may He receive glory and praise.

Amen

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Nahum 1-3

Daily Reading
 Nahum 1-3

Daily Thought

Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, a brutish people who had crushed Israel. The city had once repented when warned by Jonah of God's coming wrath, but returned again to evil and worse, "Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder-no end to the prey!" (Nahum 3:1). This time, there would be no warning, but an announcement of doom, and no nation would shed a tear over her demise; rather, "all who hear the news about you clap their hands over you" (Nahum 3:19). 

"The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies" (Nahum 1:2). We struggle with the word "jealous" because sinful people enviously desire to possess what others have; but the jealousy of God is the loving desire to protect the people who belong to him. "Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts" of Nineveh (Nahum 3:5). This was welcome news to Judah, for when her sister Israel had been carted off by Assyria, Judah wondered if she were next.

"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him" (Nahum 1:7). These are not the words of the watchmaker god of the deist who winds up creation and turns her loose to run her course. This is the Lord of heaven and earth, who is an intimate father and passionately protective of his people.

Daily Prayer

Lord God, Maker of the heavens and the earth, God outside of time and space, Creator of time and space, Author of life, the beginning and the end, Eternal Father, Savior and Lord, Yahweh, I Am That I Am.

Thank You for loving me.

Amen

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Micah 1-7

Daily Reading
 Micah 1-7

Daily Thought

Micah stood, like ever-so-many prophets of God before and after him, and called out, "Hear, you people, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it" (Micah 1:2). It was a message of judgment, a message repeated as often as needed, which explains why there are seventeen books of the prophets in the Hebrew Bible. "Hear," cried the prophets; "Do not preach," responded the people. "One should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us" (Micah 2:6). Actually, it will, and it did; Israel in 722 BC, Judah in 586 BC. 

"Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who detest justice and make crooked all that is straight" (Micah 3:9), you had it coming. But in every prophecy of judgment is the prospect of hope, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths" (Micah 4:2). The path made crooked may again be straightened.

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel" (Micah 5:2). In a little over seven centuries, wise men will read these words and say, "Wow! He knew." But a prophet not only foretells, he forth tells, and Micah's main task was immediate, to announce the way of God and prepare the people to meet their future and forever King of kings. "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8). 

Daily Prayer

Lord God, Lest I say to myself, "I have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry," may I never forget that each day is a gift from You. May I store up treasures in Your Kingdom, may I be heavenly minded, may my first love always be You. Then truly will I have life and life to the full. Then truly may I eat, drink, and be glad.

Amen

Monday, September 24, 2012

Obadiah 1; Jonah 1-4

Daily Reading
Obadiah 1; Jonah 1-4

Daily Thought

"When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry" (Jonah 3:10-4:1). We desire a merciful God only for people who deserve it, but doesn't that miss the point? 

Of Ninevah had been written, "Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder-dead bodies without end-who betrays nations with her whorings, and peoples with her charms" (Nahum 3:1, 3-4). Yet God called on Jonah to "arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me" (Jonah 1:2). Jonah knew God is gracious and merciful, "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster" (Jonah 4:2), so he boarded a ship for Tarshish, two thousand miles west. Ninevah was 500 miles east. He would remove God's mercy as far from Ninevah as possible. Author Anne Lamott wrote, "You can tell you have made God in your image when it turns out he hates all the same people you do."

We reject God's Son when Jesus challenges our conceit. "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" asked the self-righteous (Matthew 9:11). "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner" (Luke 7:39). Jesus confronts our comfortable pride, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:43-45). It turns out, you can tell God has made you in his image when you love the same people he does.

Daily Prayer

Savior God, You are full of mercy and grace. My love for You is displayed as I love people. In fact, You said it will be apparent that I am Your disciple by my love for others. God, help me improve at love. Teach me Your ways. May I be a servant like Your Son.

Thank You for Your salvation. It has changed my heart. If You can show that kind of love for me, how can I not love others as much.

Amen

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Amos 6-9

Daily Reading
Amos 6-9

Daily Thought

Amos did not ask to be a prophet, especially a prophet to neighboring Israel. "I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel'" (Amos 7:14-15). God said go, Amos obeyed, and Israel should listen, but they refused, "Go," they said to Amos, "flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there, but never again prophesy at Bethel" (Amos 7:12-13). You should be careful what you ask for. 

My dad could lecture, "I've talked to you and talked to you." We knew we had more time. Dad could talk; truly an artist at work. "I've talked to you and talked to you until I'm blue in the face." This was the high point of the lecture. Dad really did turn blue. Still, no worries, as long as he kept talking. "I've talked to you and talked to you until I'm blue in the face, and now I'm done talking to you." 

Uh oh. As long as Dad was talking, he was still trying to straighten us out. There was still hope. When the talking stopped, hope vanished; then came pain. 

"Behold, the days are coming," declares the Lord God, "when I will send a famine on the land-not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord" (Amos 8:11). Chapters 3, 4, and 5 begin with God saying to Israel, "Hear this word." Israel will wish they had. "They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it" (Amos 8:12).

Daily Prayer

Lord God, thank You for Your Word. It guides me in life, leading me down the right path. 

Too often, though, it may appear that I'm not listening to You. Probably because I'm not. I take You for granted, or I follow some silly notion that I have a better idea about life than You do. Please, God, do not give up on me. Thank You for Your patience and endurance. I need Your Word. Keep speaking, and I will develop the heart of Your Son, who said He does not live by bread alone, but by every Word You speak.

Amen

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Amos 1-5

Daily Reading
Amos 1-5

Daily Thought

Amos has a knack for simplicity; he is clear and to the point. "Seek good, and not evil" (Amos 5:14), Amos counsels Israel. "Hate evil, and love good" (Amos 5:15). It is a two-pronged approach, with gusto. The bad must be obliterated, and the body must be strengthened. Good health is not merely the absence of illness, but the presence of wellness. Israel needed a radical remedy. "Take away from me the noise of your songs;
    to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
But let justice roll down like waters,
    and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:23-24).

It was when Mike Pilavachi, pastor of Soul Survivor Church in London, England, realized his church had lost focus, that he fired the band and the band leader, Matt Redman. "We seemed to be going through the motions. Our hearts were far from Him. We were giving the worship team grades on a scale from one to ten. We had made the band the performers of worship and ourselves the audience. We had forgotten that we are ALL the performers of worship and that God is the audience. We needed to take drastic action."

When the music fades,
All is stripped away, and I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart
I'll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself is not what you have required.
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear;
You're looking into my heart.
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about you
All about you Jesus.
~Matt Redman, fired (then rehired) band leader, Soul Survivor Church, London, England

Daily Prayer

My Lord and My God, What amazes me is, You are the Creator of the Universe, the Name above all names, King of kings and Lord of lords, Almighty God, the Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, and I neglect You. 

...and You remember me. Even if it hurts, God, take my heart and make it Yours. 

Amen

Friday, September 21, 2012

Joel 1-3

Daily Reading
Joel 1-3

Daily Thought

"The word of the Lord that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel" (Joel 1:1) introduces all that we know of the prophet. His name means "Jehovah is God," and he appears to prophecy in Judah, for there is no mention of Israel. Most likely, he lived in the early days of the divided kingdom, perhaps at the time of Joash (early 9th century BC), because he speaks of the Philistines, Phoenicians, Edomites, and Egyptians, and not of the Babylonian, Assyrian, or Syrians.  

The greater villains in Joel are locusts, "what the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust left, the destroying locust has eaten" (Joel 1:4); and he recognizes this plague as God's judgment, a call to come back to God, "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning" (Joel 2:12). The Israelites would tear their clothes in distress, but it was symbolism over substance. God prefers repentance above religion; "rend your hearts and not your garments" (Joel 2:13).

"When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, 'Let's not tear it'" (John 19:23-24). A seemingly insignificant detail, unless you read Joel.

Daily Prayer

Righteous God, You have given me Your commandments, not as a burden; rather, they are a blessing. They give life and show me the way to live. Even the littlest commandment. Every Word You speak, God, is valuable and true. May I learn Your Word and keep it in my heart, so that it will guide my steps. 

You are a gracious and compassionate God. Thank You for so great a salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Hosea 8-14

Daily Reading
Hosea 8-14

Daily Thought

"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son" (Hosea 11:1). God recalls his love and care for Israel, rescuing them from slavery, feeding them in the wilderness, leading them to a land he specially prepared for them. And yet "when they had grazed, they became full,
    they were filled, and their heart was lifted up;
    therefore they forgot me" (Hosea 13:6). They were fat and happy.

I was pre-med for a year, before I discovered my powerful dislike for biology. I did have fun with rats, though. I learned that if you want to teach a rat something, it better be hungry. It's the "90 percent rule." Feed a rat, weigh it, then diet it down 10 percent. Hungry rats solve mazes faster, click pedals more often to get food and generally behave better than when they are satisfied. If they're not hungry, they're not that eager to learn.

"Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied." ~Luke 6:21

Daily Prayer

Father God, May I be satisfied in Your love, and unsatisfied with anything less. You created me to live in a close relationship with You. May I hunger, starve even, when I neglect to nurture and feed that relationship. God, keep me forever eager to grow in the knowledge and love of You.

Amen

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Hosea 1-7

Daily Reading
Hosea 1-7

Daily Thought

Hosea lived "in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel" (Hosea 1:1). Of the kings of Judah, Uzziah, Jotham, and Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (2Chronicles 26:4; 27:2; 29:2). Ahaz did not (2Chronicles 28:1). Jeroboam, as all the kings of Israel before him, did evil (2Kings 14:24). God would use the example of Israel to warn her brother Judah, "though you play the whore, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty" (Hosea 4:15). 

A prophet need not speak to be heard, and the Lord commanded Hosea to act out the role of God with Israel; "Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord" (Hosea 1:2). There are certain words that jump out at you. God was calling Israel one of them, and he was warning Judah not to be. 

Next, Hosea was commanded to "go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods" (Hosea 3:1). The lady is a tramp, but ultimately the story is not about Israel, nor Judah, but God, who is faithful even while we are faithless. Our sin is less about the whore we become, but the God we betray. 

Daily Prayer

Our Great God, You humbled Yourself in love for my sake. You are my Creator, but how often I pay more attention to your creation than I do to You. All the while, You pay attention to me. You sought me and saved me with an amazing grace and mercy.

May I learn Your grace, may I practice Your mercy, may I display Your love.  May I stretch out of my comfort zone and take Your good news to a world that needs Your salvation. 

Amen

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Daniel 10-12

Daily Reading
Daniel 10-12

Daily Thought

As Daniel prays, God answers and opens his eyes to see things unseen but very real. While our kingdoms battle, heaven wars. An unnamed angel explains to Daniel, "I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come" (Daniel 10:20). These are spiritual princes of darkness behind our fleshly kingdoms, "for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). Daniel engages in the battle when he drops to his knees and prays. 

The kingdoms of earth play king of the hill, Persia and Greece, Syria and Egypt, until one alone stands on top, and that "king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods" (Daniel 11:36). He thinks he is in charge, except God gave Daniel an amazing play-by-play description of world events, amazing because these things haven't happened yet. God knows what will happen ahead of time, because God does as he wills, and we only think we do. 

Daily Prayer

Righteous God, the Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, Who was, Who is, and Who is to come, You are sovereign over all things. How much better I get along each day when I remember this. This is Your world, so I shouldn't be surprised that life works when I live according to Your ways. 

May I confidently live knowing You are on the throne and will be forever; that nothing on earth can touch my eternity in You. May I make choices based on that, choices that reflect Your character, serving others instead of self, loving truth and promoting righteousness, giving grace and forgiving others, and humbly recognizing that You forgave me first and most.

Amen

Monday, September 17, 2012

Daniel 7-9

Daily Reading
Daniel 7-9

Daily Thought

A keen awareness of sin accompanies Daniel's commitment to righteousness, and he makes no excuses, "we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled" (Daniel 9:5). God hates sin, but loves repentance more, and Daniel appeals to God's mercy, "O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name" (Daniel 9:19). Daniel wants to know if there is a future for Israel.

Wild visions of future events inform Daniel that Babylon will not be Israel's end. The course of history is contained in dismaying images, such as "a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet" (Daniel 7:7). Future empires will rise and fall, except one, "Behold, with the clouds of heaven
    there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
    and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
    and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
    should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
    that shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:13-14).

And that's the point.

Daily Prayer

God, full of righteousness and grace, justice and mercy. It is a wonder that I can approach You. It's wonderful that You listen. My life does not warrant Your attention, but through the goodness of Your Son and the righteousness He gives me through His death, I can speak with You. I can even speak confidently. I have Your promises, written in Your Word, and I trust You completely.

So, God, I bring You praise, and I also bring the needs and concerns that surround me. I lay them at Your feet, and I pray in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Your will be done.

Amen

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Daniel 4-6

Daily Reading
Daniel 4-6

Daily Thought

Early on, Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself (Daniel 1:8), and his consistent character was evident through several generations of kings, always to God's glory. Nebuchadnezzar said of Daniel, "the spirit of the holy gods is in you" (Daniel 4:18); then came to know there is no gods but God, "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven" (Daniel 4:37). Belshazzar saw the writing on the wall, but did not know it spelled his doom until Daniel spoke, "God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end" (Daniel 5:26). Finally, Darius observed that "Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom" (Daniel 6:3). 

Jealousy ensued. Those around Daniel sought grounds to discredit him, and concluded, "We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God" (Daniel 6:5). The high officials convinced King Darius to establish a silly injunction, "For thirty days, no one can pray to any god or man except the king." Then they sat by Daniel's window and waited for Daniel to show up, because three times a day Daniel prayed. Sure enough, he did. Predictable godliness was Daniel's offense.

Daily Prayer

My Savior, my God, my Friend. Yes, You called me friend. I love You so much. How can I not speak of You?

I thank You so much for Your care for me. You gave me parents and friends, a neighborhood and teachers, many people have had an incredible influence on me. But You, most of all. If I talk of my friends and family, how much more shall I shout Your Name. You are the One who gives meaning and purpose, who fills me with love and compassion, who teaches me about life. You are my God, my Father in Heaven, my Savior and Lord.

Amen

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Daniel 1-3

Daily Reading
Daniel 1-3

Daily Thought

When the Babylonians sacked Judah, they took the best of the best; "they took away the pots and the shovels and the snuffers and the dishes for incense and all the vessels of bronze used in the temple service, the fire pans also and the bowls. What was of gold the captain of the guard took away as gold, and what was of silver, as silver" (2Kings 25:14-15). They also took the best of the people, "youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom" (Daniel 1:4). These young men would be molded in the ways of Babylonian royalty, the language and manners and philosophy; even the food they ate. Among these men were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, to whom were given new names, Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, respectively (Daniel 1:6-7). Babylonian names, in effect saying, "I own you now."

To be holy means to be set apart, and Daniel and his friends were holy toward God. They could be owned by no other. They must remain distinct to God, while loyal to Nebuchadnezzar, so Daniel began small, not with the king, but with the king's chief and with the chief's steward. "Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food" (Daniel 1:8), so he requested of the steward an alternative diet and invited a comparison; "test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink," (Daniel 1:12) then compare our health to the others. They stood strong in the little matters, preparing them for the greater.

The greater came when Nebuchadnezzar made a towering image of gold and commanded all to bow and worship before it; and Daniel's friends would not. "Bow or be cast into the burning fiery furnace," roared the king; and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, "O Nebuchadnezzar, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king." A bold declaration, yet three words more defiant followed, "but if not" (Daniel 3:16-18). They would remain holy to God, even if it did not appear in their best interest--even if God did not save them. And they were tossed in the furnace.

Now God would make his presence known. Peering into the flames, Nebuchadnezzar saw the three standing unharmed, but with a fourth, "I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods" (Daniel 3:25). They would stand for God, and God would stand with them. 

Daily Prayer

My God, I offer myself as a living sacrifice, which means my life is Yours. I give it to You, so it is no longer mine to lose, but Yours to save. I pray, O God, that my faith will be bold, that when I face that which is impossible for me to do, I will trust in my God, who can do all things. I pray that I will act not because I am secure in the outcome, but because I am secure in You. My God stands with those who stand with him.

Amen

Friday, September 14, 2012

Ezekiel 46-48

Daily Reading
Ezekiel 46-48

Daily Thought

Ezekiel's last vision summons all the tribes by name and positions them in the Promised Land; "I will be your God, and you shall be my people," the relationship will be restored and established forever. Ezekiel's final word: "And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There" (Ezekiel 48:35). 

The challenge was made by the Soviet Union. 1963. "Why should you clutch at God?" asked Nikita Khrushchev, "We have flown into space and saw no God."

Christmas Eve, 1968, Apollo 8 enters lunar orbit on the first manned mission to the Moon.

Astronaut William Anders, "We are now approaching lunar sunrise and, for all the people back on Earth, the crew of Apollo 8 has a message that we would like to send to you. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."

Astronaut Jim Lovell, "And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day."

Astronaut Frank Borman, "And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas - and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth."

Seven months later, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin step onto the surface of the moon. "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou has ordained," read Aldrin from Psalm 8, "What is man that thou art mindful of him? And the Son of Man, that thou visitest Him?"

The Lord is There.
~Ezekiel 48:35

"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." ~Romans 1:20

Daily Prayer

God of Heavens, Your glory shines in all that I see. The whole world speaks of You. Your majesty is seen in the depth of sea and the breadth of space. The world is in Your palm, and You breathe life into me. It makes sense that my thoughts turn to You, but I am amazed that Your thoughts turn to me. Who am I? And yet You delight in me.

God, may I find my pleasure and purpose in following You.

Amen

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Ezekiel 43-45

Daily Reading
Ezekiel 43-45

Daily Thought

As God works restoration into the heart of his people, a burden of judgment remains on the Levites, "but the Levites who went far from me, going astray from me after their idols when Israel went astray, shall bear their punishment" (Ezekiel 44:10). Priests are called to a higher standard, and because they were faithless, they share the guilt of all. One family, however, stood strong, and Ezekiel singles them out, "the sons of Zadok, who kept the charge of my sanctuary when the people of Israel went astray from me" (Ezekiel 44:15). Zadok had been appointed chief priest during Solomon's reign, because he faithfully supported Solomon, and faithfulness traced its way through his children's children.

The choice is always idolatry or faith, trusting God with nothing or everything. "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:24-25). Idolatry was the ongoing offense of Israel, choosing something other than God; faithfulness chooses God over everything. God said to the sons of Zadok, "this shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession" (Ezekiel 44:28).  This was all they needed, for it was everything their hearts desired.  

Daily Prayer

Lord God, You are the Sovereign Lord. You are my King, and You have invited me into Your Kingdom. "Follow me," you offered (and could have commanded). You gave me the choice, to put my life in the hands of this world, or in the world to come. I will give up all, and place my life in Your hands. I am Yours.

Amen

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Ezekiel 37-39

Daily Reading
Ezekiel 37-39

Daily Thought

The united nation of Israel became divided under poor leadership following the successful reign of Solomon. We fall quickly and are always one generation removed from glory or failure. Godly leadership is essential, and Israel was found lacking, splitting the nation in 931 BC. God, however, remains true, and in him should be our allegiance and trust. Israel will someday learn this; God is not finished with them. 

Ezekiel has a vision looking forward to the final restoration of Israel. Judgment was akin to death, but God will breathe new life into their dry old bones, "Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live" (Ezekiel 37:9). On Friday, May 14, 1948, the Israeli Declaration of Independence announced that the State of Israel has been formally established on land where, in antiquity, the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah had once been.

This, however, is not the final chapter. Ezekiel sees another vision of the evil king Gog, born in the land of Magog, ruler over Meshach and Tubal, who will lead an army from the four corners of the earth against Israel (Ezekiel 38:1-6). Gog represents all of Israel's enemies attempting to crush God's people; but God is greater than Gog, "On that day, the day that Gog shall come against the land of Israel, declares the Lord God, my wrath will be roused in my anger. I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord" (Ezekiel 38:18, 23). More importantly, Israel will know it.

"And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel" (Ezekiel 39:7). In God we trust.

Daily Prayer

My God, You are the giver of life, both the first time, and then again. You bring us out of the grave, for we are to You the aroma of Christ, the fragrance of life. We have His righteousness.

Thank You for breathing life back in me through Your Holy Spirit. This second time, You are in control, You are on the throne, You are my Lord and Savior. I live my life now in Christ for Your glory and pleasure, taking off the grave clothes and clothing myself in Your love and holiness.

Amen

Monday, September 10, 2012

Ezekiel 34-36

Daily Reading
Ezekiel 34-36

Daily Thought

My son came home with a current events assignment: write about something important going on in the world today. The teacher included one caveat, it could not pertain to the upcoming election. The divisiveness of our current political climate was to be avoided. The words of Ezekiel could be spoken today, "Thus says the Lord God: 'Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?'" (Ezekiel 34:2).There is nothing new under the sun, and since time began, shepherds have neglected the sheep in pursuit of their own profit. 

Ezekiel has been prophetic in the short term; Israel would wander off and be scattered, and were easy prey to the villainous savages surrounding them. Now he speaks of a distant event, "I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd" (Ezekiel 34:23). David, the King, is dead and gone, so Ezekiel could only be speaking of one to come, a son of David. "And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, and when he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:35-36). 

The people are the sheep, and to Israel who knew well the pasture, this was an unflattering comparison. Sheep are dumb, wander off, follow whomever, and get lost often. "My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them" (Ezekiel 34:6). If these words sound familiar, it is because Jesus makes them his own, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). Turns out, Ezekiel was writing about current events. 

Daily Prayer

Oh Lord, You are my Shepherd, the good Shepherd who rescues me from the slaughter of my own making. I am prone to wander, and You are forever watchful. You prod me and nudge me, and sometimes You just have to pick me up and set me aright. Thank You for caring for me more than I care for myself. 

God, may I learn Your ways. May I pick up Your staff, as well, and guide others toward the good Shepherd. May I be ever watchful and care enough to sacrifice myself for the sake of Your sheep. 

Amen

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Ezekiel 31-33

Daily Reading
Ezekiel 31-33

Daily Thought

"If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned..." (Ezekiel 33:6); Ezekiel was that watchman for the house of Israel, with the duty to speak what God has spoken. They have the duty to hear and act. "And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain" (Ezekiel 33:31). 

It was Rickey's first time in Big Church. He watched everything his dad did and copied him. When Dad stood, he stood. When Dad sang, he sang. When Dad put a bill in the offering, he put in the change he'd brought from his bank. When Dad opened the Bible, he pulled his out of his pocket. The service ended, at last, and now for the weekly review driving home in the family van. "Sermon was pretty good today. Got lost in the middle." "Music was okay, except for the last song. That was bad." "I liked the solo."

"Behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it" (Ezekiel 33:32).

"All in all," chimed in Rickey, "you gotta admit, it was a pretty good show for a dollar." He'd watched everything. 

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, everyday You give me a gift. A new day. May I open it each morning with anticipation, use it with joy, and thank You when I lay down at the end. May my life be a wonderful offering to You.

I pray that Sundays will not be a day of worship, but the celebration of 7 days of worship

Amen

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Ezekiel 28-30

Daily Reading
Ezekiel 28-30

Daily Thought

Sin shades humanity from fathoming the full splendor of God. Our depravity is exposed when confronted with creation, "The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world" (Psalm 19:1-4).

Creation is dazzling and delightful, grand and good. Moreover, it loudly and clearly trumpets the sovereignty of God; and we miss it. We worship idols, which is really an excuse to worship ourselves. We are presented with the concert of creation declaring the majesty of the Creator, and we pick up a mirror to admire ourselves instead. "Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor," accuses Ezekiel (Ezekiel 28:17). That was the sin of Tyre; it is the ruin of all who exchange the Creator for the created. Our sin is our self obsession.

At the core of judgment is a clash of the gods. The nations worship idols, but ultimately themselves, "Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord God: 'Because your heart is proud,
    and you have said, 'I am a god,
I sit in the seat of the gods,
    in the heart of the seas,'
yet you are but a man, and no god'" (Ezekiel 28:1).

God's purpose is clear, he repeats it over and over, "Then they will know that I am the Lord" (Ezekiel 28:23, 24, 26; 29:9, 16, 21; 30:8, 19, 26). God judges the nations because once should have been enough, "In the beginning God..." (Genesis 1:1).

Daily Prayer

God, I love You and praise You, and my praise comes first from hearing it in Your creation. The beauty and majesty, the order and truth that is seen in the heavens and the earth make known that there is God. It is You who deserves my allegiance, my trust, my life. 

May my life display sacrifice and love toward You. My actions will sing Your praise before my voice does. You are my God; may I live a life that backs it up.

Amen