Insights
for Victorious Christian Living - #2 of 5
From cong. readings in Ezra & Nehemiah, Aug 17,
1 – God works in the midst of opposition
Ezra 4:23-24 As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes
was read
to Rehum and Shimshai the
secretary and their associates, they went
immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.
Thus the work on the house of God in
Ezra 5:17 Now if it pleases the king, let a search be made in the royal
archives of Babylon to see if King Cyrus did in fact issue a decree to
rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. Then…they searched in the archives.
Ezra 6:3-14 Let the temple be rebuilt…Do not interfere with the work on this
this house of God on its site… The expenses of these men are to be fully
paid out of the royal treasury…so that the work will not stop. Whatever is
needed…must be given them daily without fail…Furthermore, I decree that if
anyone changes this edict, a beam is to be pulled from his house and he is
to be lifted up and impaled on it…So the elders of the Jews continued to
build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai…They finished building the
temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of
Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.
Rom 8:28 We know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love
him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2 - God works through people who love and practice His word
Ezra 7:10 Ezra had prepared (set, determined) his heart to seek the law of
the Lord, and to do it (obey it), and to teach in
judgments.
Ezra 7:21,25 I, King Artaxerxes,
order all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates
to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of
the God of heaven, may ask of you…And you, Ezra, in accordance with the
wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to
administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates — all who know the
laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them.
James 1:23-25 If you listen to the word and don't
obey, it is like glancing
at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you
look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you
free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God
will bless you for doing it.
Josh 1:8-9 Constantly remind the people about these
laws, and you yourself
must think about them every day and every night so that you will be sure to
obey all of them. For only then will you succeed.TLB
Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light
for my path.
3 - God works to convict people of sin
Ezra 9:1-3 The leaders came to me and said, "The people of Israel,
including
the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the
neighboring peoples with their detestable practices…They have taken some of
their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the
holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have
led the way in this unfaithfulness." When I heard this, I tore my
tunic and
cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled. Then
everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me
because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles.
Ezra 10:1-2 While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing
himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites — men,
women and children — gathered around him. They too wept bitterly. Then
Shecaniah…said to Ezra, "We have been unfaithful
to our God.
2 Cor 6:17 Come out from among unbelievers, and
separate yourselves from
them, says the Lord. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome
you.
Rom 12:2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this
world, but let God
transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
John 16:8 When [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of sin,
righteousness, and judgment-
A past sermon is on TV at 2:30 today: #6 (Comcast Cable), #51 (Non-cable)
DAILY BIBLE READINGS: This week read Neh 1-5, Ps
63-64