Malachi brought words from God of punishment that was coming for some. “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” (Malachi 4:1) But those who feared God were promised something much better. “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing…
Many of the Psalms make statements that are very fitting for us to repeat even today. One is found in Psalms 126:3 “The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad.” (NKJV) These words should be on our mind and lips continually as we count our blessings and remember that every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). Today’s reading: Nehemiah 11-13; Psalm 126
Nehemiah was working to straighten out some wrongs that the people had been doing. One of these wrongs was who they were marrying. “Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?” (Nehemiah 13:27) God had given strict commands about who they could marry and why. “You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your…
God’s people began showing an attitude of gratefulness to Him and listing some of the great things He had done. “You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.” (Nehemiah 9:6) Their attitude at this time also included humbleness and acknowledgement of the wrong…
As the Jews were rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, some opposition arose against them. “And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.” (Nehemiah 4:8) In the next verse we read of the two things the Jews did as soon as they found out about the opposition to their work. “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” (Nehemiah 4:9) This is a great example to…
As we learn God’s Word, we should be like Ezra and have a zeal to share with others. “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10) In his letter to the Colossians, Paul talks about the change in us that happens as we put off the old man and become Christians. Having a desire to teach others like Ezra did is…
Mordecai became honored and loved because he unselfishly used what he had to help all Jews. “For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.” (Esther 10:3) Paul tells us to also live unselfishly and strive to be like the greatest Servant that man has ever known. “Do nothing from selfish…
Esther was about to risk her life and go before the king to beg for safety of the Jews. She gave Mordecai orders on what to do first. “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and…
We have a proverb that reminds us where we can find protection. “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Proverbs 30:5) There is a psalm that makes a very similar statement. “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” (Psalms 18:30) Jesus tells us that for that true and perfect word of God to be of any benefit…
The prophecy that Zechariah shared with the people included a promise from God of saving. “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) There was another prophecy that also brought us a promise of saving. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this…