Keep on 'til the End

Ezra 6:14 (MSG)
¹⁴  So the leaders of the Jews continued to build; the work went well under the preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. They completed the rebuilding under orders of the God of Israel and authorization by Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia. 

The finished temple was a long and arduous process. Much pain was taken to follow the Lord's precise instructions, making it perfect in every way. It didn't happen overnight, and it was hard work but now it was finished. Let the festivities begin. Feasting and celebration were fitting now that the temple was completed.

We will often throw a party when we come to the end of a big project or a difficult task. When we are involved in a theatrical play and give up many of the things we like to do, so that we can practice over and over to make the performance flawless, there is usually a cast party after it is finished. A writer might host a book release party when their publication is available to the public.

Many gave hours of their lives for the temple completion. And it all began because of the discovery of a lost paragraph in a pagan library (Life Application Study Bible). (Read Ezra 6:1-12). It was time to party.

Consider how it all began for you. When did your faith begin to take shape? What was happening in your life to cause you to seek God and His Son? This Advent season it is good to remember these things and maybe even share them with someone who doesn't quite get it yet. You might be surprised at the response you receive. After all, we are all waiting for something, aren't we? Maybe our words will reveal that the 'something' is Jesus.

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Ezra 6:13-16

David's Celebration

David is mentioned more times in the Old Testament than any other person. More than 1,100 times. Much more than Moses, than Elijah, than Saul - than any other human. Why is that? David was far from perfect. He sinned against God and man when he had Bathsheba's husband killed so he could claim her for himself. And that's just one example.

He was a fallen, sinful person, guilty of murder, treachery, and corruption. But - and this is a big but - he was a man after God's own heart. (See both 1 Samuel 17 and Acts 13). In today's passages, we see that David returns the Ark of God to a central place in the life of Israel, and he and his followers - 30,000 of Israel's finest young men - have a parade of thanks, of joyfulness, and celebration to honor the ark. David's joy is boundless: "They were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymblals" (2 Samuel 6:5; see also Psalm 150).

And what is in the ark? Is there a graven image of God? Are there priceless relics? No. The Word of God is in the ark. God's word MUST be central to our faith. God speaks truth to us through his word. He guides us, protects us, convicts us, comforts us, through his Word. Have you celebrated God's word lately? Would your celebration look like David's and his men? Or would it be more circumspect?

I confess that a celebration like the one described in 2 Samuel 6 and in Psalm 150 seems more like how we celebrate when the Buckeyes win the National Championship. Oh, Lord, that I would celebrate your word and your power with such joy and abandon! Help us, Lord, to see the centrality of your Word in our lives, and to act with joy and gladness and thanks for your many blessings. Amen.

Celestial celebrations

Very early in my wife’s freshman year of college, her roommate entered the room very upset.  She had lost a contact lens outside.  With a strong penchant for helping people, Peggy said, “Let’s go look for it.”  Her roommate declined the offer – the thought being so preposterous – but upon further urging, she reluctantly agreed.  And Peggy quietly prayed, “Lord, please help us find her lens.  And if we don’t find it, at least let her know she's loved.” 

The lawn was vast, so Peggy asked, “About where were you when you lost your contact?”  In a tone of voice that suggested this is so ridiculous, her roommate said, “Right about here!”  Peggy bent down and separated two blades of grass.  “Is this it?” she asked, spying the glistening lens.  Her roommate bent down, eyes wide and mouth agape.  There it was!  She bent down and picked it up, hugged Peggy and jumped around a bit, for against all odds, the lost had been found! 

God searches intently, far and wide, for something much more valuable than a contact lens.  Us!  The people of his creation and redemption!  Some of us are easier to spot, I suspect, while others of us are improbably found in the most unusual circumstances of life.  But regardless of where we are when God reaches down and lifts us up, there is celebration in heaven.  Great celebration!  Unimaginable celebration!  Speaking as one who’d been there, Jesus said, “I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). 

Have you entrusted your life to the saving power of Jesus Christ?  If so, there was celebration in the heavens over you!  Yes, you!  Individually, you!  Who knows ... maybe it’s still going on! 

So now we get to join God as he continues to look for his missing “lenses,” for he wills to shine his light into their soul as well.  And when God bends down and picks up the “one sinner who repents,” the angelic celebration over another redeemed treasure begins anew!  Hugging and jumping around in celestial proportions.

Lord, please lead us to those who do not know you.  Use us today in whatever capacity you will.  Open their eyes to behold your beauty.  Open their souls to know your love and salvation for them.  And may your angels celebrate new life this day. 

[Click here to see the daily reading in Luke 15:8-10.] 

Faith in the Son - 1 John 5:1-12

Do you know your Baptism date?  The pastor at a church I once attended encouraged his congregation to make a big deal of this date.  He went so far as to say this date was more important to celebrate than our birthday.  At the time I thought this an interesting idea, but never totally bought into it.  

As I get older (maybe wiser too), I recognize the value of this practice for certainly the day we become truly alive - alive in Christ - is a day to party.  Yesterday was my daughter Katie and husband Dave's baptism day.  As I was journaling that point I was struck by the fact that were it not for Dave's baptism I would not have the hope and joy in the knowledge we will be together again.

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12)

Who are you rejoicing about today?  Who do you know that has gone to be with Jesus and you will see again?  Is there someone in your life now who needs this gift?  Let's Build Up God's Community by sharing Jesus' story and His love.

Read the 1 John 5:1-12 text here.

Easter Morning Matthew 28:1-10

Easter morn and He is risen!
Oh Yes, He is risen indeed.

Easter morn and He is risen!
The Father's will, He did heed.

The sun is up let's celebrate,
Oh Yes, He is risen, indeed.

Our sins are gone both small and great.
All of our debts are washed clean.

The sun is up let's celebrate.
Tell me do you know what that means?

Jesus' risen, He reigns supreme!
All of our debts are washed clean.

Our souls for him He did redeem.
The angels proclaim, "He's not here".

Jesus' risen, He reigns supreme!
We no longer have to fear.

Easter morn and He is risen!
The angels proclaim, "He's not here".

Easter morn and He is risen!

Read today's passage at Biblegateway Matthew 28:1-10