TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Ezra 4:24-6:22
1 Corinthians 3:5-23
Psalm 29:1-11
Proverbs 20:26-27
Ezra 5:11 — “Who said you could build this?” Interesting the response back – “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth.” Servants of not just a regional territorial god, but the God of all that is on earth and all that is above the earth!
Ezra 6:7 — The Israelis knew they had:
- authority from God (Ezra 5:11)
- atonement for their fathers (Ezra 5:12), and the
- auspice of Cyrus to build!
God used the researchers of Babylon (Ezra 6:1-2) to find the records and confirm His will!
Darius —
- protected them from interference (Ezra 6:7)
- provided the resources needed, and
- preferred the sacrifices
Was he a devout believer? No! He had enough issues without ticking off whoever this “God of heaven” was!
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 — Just as God was the confidence of the Israelis, He is the giver of increase to the Christian. Our enemy is not Team Apollos or Team Paul, but the world, the flesh, and the devil. Apollos and Paul are “laborers together” (1 Corinthians 3:9).
1 Corinthians 3:13 — The Bema Seat that we read about in Romans 14:10 is discussed here. What will be revealed is what has been done in the Christian life. Christians will be judged, not on the economy and not on the politics of this world, but on what has been built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ! Rewards and losses will be measured out as the fire tests our work.
Psalm 29 — Notice the structure of the Psalm – 2X the expression “Give unto the LORD” is used, 3X the expression “voice of the LORD” is used, there’s a center keynote, then 3X the expression “voice of the LORD” appears, followed by two descriptions of the LORD. A modified chiasm. In vv. 1-2, we give strength to Him; in vv. 10-11, He gives strength to us! What an amazing God we serve!
Proverbs 20:26 — For those wanting to keep religion out of politics, we need some good leaders who will follow the teaching of Proverbs. The good ruler does not let the wicked take over his city. You may not be a ruler of a city, but if you are a leader in your family, do not let the wicked take over your family!
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