Today’s Reading:
Ezra 3:1-6 (2)
"Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel and his brethren arose and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God." (v. 2 NKJV)
At one time or the other, we all have had to assemble new items. And we all have different approach to fixing, organising, rearranging or putting things together, especially when it comes to packaged fittings, electronics, furniture and so on. Even when some are not technicians or mechanics, they are good at it. Some will have to read manuals while other attempt it with success. But when what we are trying to fix involves lives that reflects the image, wisdom and goodness of God, we cannot afford trial and error, or to ignore the directions God has given us in his divine daily companion - THE BIBLE!
When in the seventh month of the first year, the returnees from exile gathered themselves together, in the same month as our September/October; they reverted to the written Law of Moses the man of God to rebuild an altar unto God, on the former site, and to re-establish their worship, regular daily burnt offerings for each day, and in keeping the Feasts and festivals (vv. 1-5). Even when they were afraid of the people of other countries around them, they continued with the instructions of God from the hand of Moses.
The Israelites went back to seek the old pathway. They knew they were complete only when they live in community with each other and seek the old pathway of God. The temple, its worship activities and the Feasts were clearly their focal point with God (Lev. 23:33-43). Though they went first to their own cities (2:70), they still returned to accomplish the purpose for which they came back to Jerusalem, that is, to the rebuild of the temple. When they successfully laid the foundation of the new temple, their joys know no bound, both men and women, old and young all were mixed with jubilation and weeping, probably by the old among them who witnessed the old Solomon's temple (v. 13).
The key lesson for us today is that for our joy to be complete, we need to hold on exactly to God's direction in the Bible. We need to tread the path of our forefathers in the faith. We need overhauling, we need genuine repentance, and we need revival. We need to honestly shake off the things that are abomination unto God that we are attached to (Obad.1:17). There is no secured cow with God. We can deceive others and ourselves, but we cannot deceive God.
Christ our Passover also gave new commandments which encompasses the Law of Moses, the man of God. And this is that: Those called by His name should love God with all our hearts, with all our souls and with all our minds. And also, that we should love our neighbours as ourselves (Matt. 22:37, 39). By this, when we believe in him and come to him, then He will show us the way to live. If we want God to lead us, we must be willing to surrender to the lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him. He created us, He knows the path He had set for each and every one of us (Jn. 1:1-5). We are the works of His hands, we have been fearfully and wonderfully made, and so He loves us. He can do exceedingly more than we can think of or imagine, and so He will not lead us astray nor abandon us in the midst of challenges and chaos. The good works he had started in us, He will surely complete successfully, in His own way and at his time. All we need to do when we walk with Jesus is to be patient, be overflowing with love, be able to repay hatred with love, trust, obey, put on God's complete armour (Eph. 6:10-18), and follow Him. May God help us, in Jesus name.
Olufunmilayo Titilola Adekusibe
Prayer:
Father thank you for the grace to see another day in good health. Remind me Lord that you have map out my path for each day. Empower me to read your word with understanding, follow and live your command and the directions you have graciously provided for each day, in Jesus name.
Father start your revival in my life, my family and my environment, in Jesus name.
Holy Ghost vomit you fire and power in my life and purge my life from inherited and acquired filth and evil deposit, and sanctify me to the glory of God, in Jesus name.
Glory of the Living God locate my life and family, and overshadow us, in Jesus name.
Whether the enemy likes it or not I (mention your name) shall be rapturable in Jesus name.
Father, uproot everything you have not planted in your church, revive your Pentecostal power and fire and reposition your church to suit your purpose, in Jesus name.
Father, thank you for sustaining the nation with your mighty presence. Bulldoze and destroy strongholds of wickedness and revive your work. Let there be love, peace, harmony of purpose and progress in Jesus name. Amen.