Latest Thoughts of the Day

Esther 4:16

2/22/2020

"Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

This fasting was an outward expression of the intense spiritual exercise of prayer. And the project that Esther had in mind was undergirded by this intense prayer. She herself went to prayer, along with those she enlisted as prayer-partners. Lord, You have connected Your healing our land with this kind of prayer. Will You work in us to will and to do of Your good pleasure, gathering prayer warriors to besiege Your throne? Raise us up to seek Your face. Use us and our prayers to accomplish great things for Jesus.

Nehemiah 4:6

2/21/2020

So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

There was a surge of activity and the accomplishment of a goal because the people worked with all their heart. Teamwork is always a blessing . Those times when the endeavor “clicks” and the spirit and attitude carry you through to victory are wonderful time which every team is always hoping for. We long to see it is the building we are doing in the church of Christ. O that the people of God would labor with all their hearts! Lord, work in our hearts not only to will but to do of Your good pleasure. Draw each of us close to Yourself, that we may be bound together in the service of one another. Make this happen for the glory of Your dear Son, even Jesus.

Ezra 8:22

2/20/2020

I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The good hand of our God is on everyone who looks to Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.."

We are glad to have occasion to trust God for something, but we are more comfortable if we also have in place a back-up. Ezra had spoken so confidently of the Lord’s presence and help that the thought of asking for military support embarrassed him. They would have to trust God, and if God did not come through, they would have to bear the shame and loss. We are all in such a position with regard to our salvation. If He does not save us, we are lost. We have no back-up plan. Our confidence is in You, Lord Jesus.

Ezra 8:22

2/20/2020

I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The good hand of our God is on everyone who looks to Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.."

We are glad to have occasion to trust God for something, but we are more comfortable if we also have in place a back-up. Ezra had spoke so confidently of the lord’s presence and help that the thought of asking for military support embarrassed him. They would have to trust God, and if God did not come through, they would have to bear the shame and loss. We are all in such a position with regard to our salvation. If He does not save us, we are lost. We have no back-up plan. Our confidence is in You, Lord Jesus.

2 Chronicles 30:9

2/19/2020

If you return to the Lord, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not tun His face fom you if you return to Him

If the people of God got themselves into a jam politically, it may take time to sort it out, but God can change immediately the attitude of their captors. Wheels can be set in motion that will bring about eventual deliverance. And God can do the same for us. We may not be able to alter the immediate consequences of our sin, but an inward change of heart can make us better able to bear the trial, and set in motion complete deliverance at the proper time. We need to draw near in repentance and faith to Jesus.

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I Chronicles 16:34

2/18/2020

Give thanks to the lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

“Endure” means more than “continue:. Endurance involve a holding on in the midst of opposition, difficulty, resistance, discouragement. And such has been the continuance of God’s love to us. We have not always been lovely. We have often resisted His kindness. We have frequently misunderstood His ways. We have been slow to comply with His desires. We have thought ill of his motives, and been resentful, even when we have complied. Yet His love has endured! “Having loved His own, He loved them to the end” And so it will always be! He will not fail us nor forsake us. He will be with us always. His love will endure forever. The Eternal God became man, lived a perfect life for us and committed His love to us. Your love is forever, Lord Jesus.

2 Kings 22:19

2/17/2020

Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself when you heard what I have spoken against that place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have head you, declares the Lord.

No king before or after Josiah responded as he did to the revelation of God’s word. Josiah brought about a top to bottom revamping of the religion of Judah, cleansing it from overwhelming pollution and re-setting its entire religious direction. God commended Josiah and rewarded him by taking him home to heaven before the threatened curses fell. All his reforms fell apart after his death. The country reverted, and renewed the curse. Lord, cause the impact we have had on our families to last. Work righteousness in our progeny for the glory of our Lord Jesus.

I Kings 3:9

2/16/2020

"So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

There were tense moments as God’s purpose for Solomon’s kingship in Israel was being worked out, politically. Crucial moves had to be made and internal enemies had to be removed. But in it all, Solomon could see the hand of God granting him the crown, and he was humbled before God at the magnitude of the task. Solomon began very well. He would continue well, too, for a long time, and would make decisions and write proverbs and explore philosophies that would make him a truly great king. Nevertheless, his heart would be turned away from God. Lord, we see our need of You to empower our labors. Help us never to stray from our relationship with Jesus.

2 Samuel 22:2

2/15/2020

He said, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer."

This great Psalm is included as Psalm 18. David is conscious at the end of his life that the reason for his stability has been the foundation provided by his relationship with God. He remembers times of fear fleeing before his enemies and finding God to be a strong tower guarding and keeping him. He remembers special rescue that brought him forth safe, despite all. God Himself was David’s rock, fortress and deliverer. Is it not God Himself who gives us the stability to stand when all around our soul gives way, who shields us from the wrath of our enemies? Has He not been our deliverer from one trouble after another? David tells of God’s faithfulness to himself, and displays all our experience as well. All of us blessed, kept and delivered by Jesus.