THE LORD SPOKE (November 30)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Daniel 3

“Don’t even bother tunin’ the fiddles; we ain’t bowin’.”

The three lads had just seen and heard a miraculous divine intervention (Dan. 2). They were ready for this. When wicked King Nebuchadnezzar (how could he be so blind again already?) started building the infamous statue in the Plain of Dura, it was like deja vu all over again. Steeled by their friend Daniel’s resolve, they were ready to take their stand. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were pre-determined not to bow.

Do you have that kind of resolve? Are you prepared to stay strong when fiery trials come your way? You probably won’t face any furnaces but those people at the office can sure turn up the heat. You may not be bound with ropes but they can sure get you tied up in knots. It may not be as hot as what the three Hebrews faced but they can make your ears burn seven times over. In order to face such a test, you’ll need the same strength that we find here in Daniel 3.

1. Make sure your strength is in the Lord, not in yourself or some other undependable source (“the God we serve is able to save us”, vs. 17). You must begin with that Grip - anything less will slip.
2. Anchor your soul on that and then hold your ground, come hell or high water (“even if He does not...we will not serve your gods”, vs. 18). You can be sure that the prince of hell will do his best to put your resolve to the test. When the Devil comes knocking, resist him in the strength of the Lord.
3. Be prepared for it to get worse (“these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace”, vs. 23). Satan won’t be happy. He won’t give up easily. But he is a defeated foe and you can trust in the victory that God will provide. It will get worse before it gets better.
4. Maintain your walk with the Lord and watch all the troubles fall down dead in their tracks (“four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed”, vs. 25). All the troubles? Yes. They will still be there but God is far bigger than the biggest of them and, riding His shoulders, you are above them too. He gives the grace to overcome.
5. When you come out the other end, be prepared for a greater ministry and greater blessing from the Lord (“so [they] came out of the fire...then the king promoted [them]”, vs. 26,30). If you’ve faced and overcome that trial in the strength of the Lord, He will lift you up and allow you to be used again, and again.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego - three young men a long way from home. It would have been a lot easier to just be quiet and ride the situation through without resistance. But then, we wouldn’t be reading about them 2,600 years later. Do you have a testimony that will last that long?


Psalms 149-150

Though He allowed men in the Old Testament to construct a Temple to represent His presence, God made it clear from the start that He did “not dwell in a house” (II Sam. 7:6). It was instead, “a place of rest for the ark of the covenant” and “the footstool of our God” (I Chron. 28:2). In truth, God’s sanctuary is “his mighty heavens” (Ps. 150:1). This is WHERE God should be praised.

The psalm goes on to tell us WHY God should be praised - “for his acts of power...for his surpassing greatness” (Ps. 150:2). There is none like Him!

The middle of the psalm (Psalm 150:3-5) tells us HOW we should praise God and the whole orchestra is involved. Eight different kinds of musical instruments are mentioned and they include a variety of wind, string, and percussion instruments. Tucked in the middle of the band is “dancing”. Is that alright?

The psalm concludes - in fact, the whole book concludes - with WHO should praise God. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” (Ps. 150:6). That’s pretty inclusive.

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills, in this world and the next!

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
The Son and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God, whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
Martin Rinkart

THE LORD SPOKE (November 29)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Daniel 2

Lessons Learned in Daniel 2

Nebuchadnezzar - You think you’re in control of things? Your money and your power is meaningless. You better find a more solid foundation to build your life on than that. And, you need to pick better friends. Stop listening to all the “yes” men you’ve gathered around you - in fact, get rid of them entirely. Look for a genuine person who walks with God and can give you the kind of advice you need. The test will be that he is willing to confront you and tell you the bad news, so don’t chew his head off when he does.

Arioch, commander of the king’s guard - When you find a person who really hears the voice of God, you’d do well to listen to him. Daniel has led you to truth twice now. Stick with him! Don’t you want to know more about His God? He obviously knows how to discern between right and wrong and he’s demonstrated great courage. You’ve never let anyone get away with such things before but it’s because you’ve never met anyone like Daniel before. This one is for real. Find out some more from him.

“Wise Men” of Babylon - You don’t get it, do you? You can’t fake it forever. Someday your deception will catch up with you and you better know where to go for a reality check. Try Daniel! Instead of hounding him, you need to listen to him and learn from his example. What makes you think you can use spiritual things for personal gain? Have you no fear of God? Do you really think He’s going to let you get away with it? Maybe you can keep Nebuchadnezzar fooled (though even that’s doubtful), but you can’t fool God. You’re lucky to have a second chance. Wise up!

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego - Good choice! That friend of yours is one-of-a-kind. Stand by him. Encourage him. Follow his example yourselves. God has been good to give you each other and such a friend as Daniel in your exile. Times are bad and it looks like they will probably get worse before they get better so learn from this experience and remember it in the future. There are a lot of things worse than dying and not following the Lord is one of them. Be strong and keep your eyes on Him. While you’re at it, don’t let Daniel out of your sight either. He’s a friend worth following.

Daniel - May your tribe increase! You took a huge risk but you did the right thing. Thank you for your courage and example to all of us. It was going to happen to Nebuchadnezzar anyway - he only got what he deserved - but your holy temerity showed us how to handle a situation like this. Thank you for trusting the Lord and not being afraid to speak up even though it could have cost you your life. We need more like you. By the way, thanks for what you’re doing with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego too. They’ve been watching you and may be called upon to take a similar stand some day so your example has been a strength to them. Oh, and don’t worry about those other wise guys. They’re bad but God will take care of them. Just keep doing what’s right and He’ll protect you. It will be worth it all when you get to Glory. Have you every thought about writing down your experiences so others can benefit from them?


Psalms 147-148

“Would you mind choosing someone else for awhile?” said Tevya the milkman. God’s choice of Israel as His special people did bring special privilege but it brought even greater responsibility. The bar was raised for them.

One of the privileges, mentioned here in Psalm 147, was the revelation of the Scriptures to and through them.

He revealed his word to Jacob,
His laws and decrees to Israel.
He has done this for no other nation.... (vs. 19-20)

You have the Bible in your hands right now because of the Jewish people. Every single human author of Scripture was Jewish, and that included both the Old and New Testaments. (The only possible exception was Luke, who was a proselyte and therefore considered Jewish also.) They were careful to preserve it, contrary to the JEDP theorists and the deuteronomistic “historians”. All the evidence is that they faithfully collected and kept it intact. Their over-zealous rabbis led them to add grievously to it but never to change it. It’s still possible to obtain the pure Word of God because He preserved it for us through the Jewish people. “He has done this for no other nation.”

The beginning of the psalm mentions another work of God in relation to the Jewish people:

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers the exiles of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds. (vs. 2-3)

He “builds up Jerusalem”. Teddy Kollek did that. He “gathers the exiles of Israel”. Theodor Herzl did that. But He also “heals the brokenhearted”. Who does that? Who else understands our frame and knows that we are dust? Because we’ve been grafted in, we too delight to do what the psalmist commands, “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God...” (vs. 7).

Who can cheer the heart like Jesus,
By His presence all divine?
True and tender, pure and precious,
O how blest to call Him mine!

All that thrills my soul is Jesus,
He is more than life to me;
And the fairest of ten thousand
In my blessed Lord I see.

Every need His hand supplying,
Every good in Him I see;
On His strength divine relying,
He is all in all to me.
Thoro Harris

THE LORD SPOKE (November 28)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Daniel 1

To survive in a foreign land, you need...

(1) companions (vs. 6-7) - From day one, God did not make us to stand alone. We function best in groups of two or more. The team concept is well established throughout Scripture (e.g. Jesus and his disciples; Paul and his ministry teams in Acts) and is a principle wisely followed on the mission field. Daniel and his friends were stronger because they had each other.

(2) convictions (vs. 8) - These are an anchor for the soul when “doubts and fears assail”. You better have them before you need them because they’re not easy to acquire on the battlefield. They come from a steady walk with the Lord, grounded in His Word.

(3) courage (vs. 12) - Trials will come; that’s never in question. Will your anchor hold? The courage and will to go on comes from strong convictions and grows in direct proportion to your relationship with the Lord, for He is the only legitimate source of life-sustaining courage.

(4) consistency (vs. 15) - Dependable, persistent, steadfast, undeviating, true, unfailing, responsible, constant, faithful, tried-and-true, stable, trustworthy - sounds like someone you’d want as a friend, doesn’t it? God also is pleased with these character qualities.

(5) confidence in God - Underlying the whole chapter, this is the secret of success! If we trust in man or in ourselves, we will probably fail. Confidence in the Lord will be rewarded every time.

The book of Daniel is not a “missionary text” but it certainly has some applications. Even the qualities which Nebuchadnezzar looked for in choosing the Hebrew servants (1:4) are very similar to any missionary manual you might pick up on the subject of qualifications for foreign service. Thankfully, God does make many notable exceptions at this point and has found ways to use many supposedly unqualified servants. Nevertheless, like Daniel and his companions, a good missionary candidate should have...

• youthful vigor
• good health and physical condition
• a congenial, out-going personality
• a high IQ
• a solid general education
• an ability to learn quickly and to adapt to new circumstances
• specific training for the task at hand
• a grasp of the language and literature (= culture!) of the people he’s working with

In missionary service, perhaps the primary qualification is a willingness to go. Daniel and his friends didn’t volunteer for their “foreign service” but, once in Babylon, they didn’t look back. Sure, they longed for home but they dedicated themselves to the task at hand. Will you?


Psalms 145-146

The hallelujah chorus has started. All the psalms from 146 through 150 begin and end with “Praise the Lord”. Every aspect of creation, using every kind of instrument, at every time and occasion, during every moment of life is called to praise the Lord. Here in Psalm 146, the psalmist proclaims he’ll continue to do so for as long as he lives (Ps. 146:2).

He praises God as CREATOR (vs. 6). The Maker of heaven and earth is steadfast and secure. He is our helper so our home is in Him. Because He “remains faithful forever” we have nothing to fear. Unlike every other prince (vs. 3) or object of trust, His Spirit never departs. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His plans are eternal and unfailing.

He praises the Lord as LIBERATOR (vs. 7). Because God “loves the righteous”, He “upholds”, “sets free”, and “lifts up” those who honor Him and put their trust in Him. He “sets prisoners free”. Whatever it is that binds you - a sin-marred past, a guilty conscience, a debilitating habit - He is able and desiring to liberate you if you’ll but ask Him.

He praises Jehovah as PROVIDER (vs. 8-9). The Lord delights in the weak and the needy - the “oppressed”, “hungry”, “prisoners”, “blind”, “bowed down”, “alien”, “fatherless”, and “widow”. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He will surely care for you.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of thy throne,
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting, thou art God,
To endless years the same.

Isaac Watts

THE LORD SPOKE (November 27)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 46-48

Here’s a hot fishing tip for the Millennium! Get yourself a spot on the NW shore of the Dead Sea.

Ezekiel describes a miraculous river which flows out of Jerusalem, coming from under the threshold of the Temple (47:1). As it flows east it cuts to the south side of the altar and exits the Temple compound south of the closed eastern gate (47:2). After 1500' it is flowing at a depth of 4-5 inches. Without tributaries, the flow increases dramatically as it drops. By 3000' it’s already 20" deep; by 4500' it’s up to 40"; and by 6000' it’s too deep to wade across anymore. The drop in elevation from Jerusalem is dramatic, about 3700' in 15 miles.

Today the course of this river would take it through a barren wasteland for the most part. Except for a some seasonal watercourses and a few small springs, there is little water to be found in the Judean Desert and vegetation is scarce, found in small pockets near the water. But Ezekiel’s river is bordered by “a great number of trees” (47:7). They will be plentiful and will produce a variety of fruit and medicine throughout the year (47:12).

The water of the Dead Sea will “become fresh” whenever it comes in contact with the crystal flow. Today the salt and mineral content of the Dead Sea is such that nothing lives in its waters. But this miraculous stream will heal the salty waters. En Gedi (“spring of the goat”) is a well known oasis on the west shore but En-Eglaim (“spring of the two calves”) is unknown. Its probable location is somewhere on the east shore, such that the whole north end of the lake will become fresh water while the south end (“the swamps and marshes” of vs. 11) will remain salty. P.S. Salt will be needed for the sacrifices at the Temple (43:24).

This river was “seen” by several others in Scripture:

• David in Psalm 36:8 - “your river of delights”
• the sons of Korah in Psalm 46:4 - “there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God”
• Joel in 3:18 - “a fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the Valley of Acacias”
• Zechariah in 13:1 & 14:8 - “living water will flow out from Jerusalem...the river of the water of life”

Now compare this river with John’s vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21-22. He describes a river there which,

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. (Rev. 22:1-2)

Beautiful to imagine! Hard to wait to see it, huh?


Psalms 143-144

...My soul thirsts for you like a parched land. (Ps. 143:6)

Frequently in Scripture, the analogy that is used to express our longing for God is that of thirst. Living, as he did, and tending his flocks in the barren Judean wilderness, David knew something of parched land. No doubt there were many times he longed for some refreshing stream in the baked countryside.

When David brought together the various psalms to compose the Psalter, the first one he chose for Book II was from the sons of Korah and begins with these words: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Where can I go and meet with God?” (Ps. 42:1-2)

David himself wrote: “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Ps. 63:1)

The prophets often picked up on the same theme. Isaiah said: “They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.” (Is. 49:10) and “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters...” (Is. 55:1).

Jesus completed that invitation when He said: “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.... He who believes in me will never be thirsty.... If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (Jn. 4:14; 6:35; 7:37-38)

The promise is repeated with great joy by the hosts of heaven in Revelation 7:15-17 where it says, “never again will they thirst...for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.”

All my life-long I had panted
For a drink from some clear spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.

Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.

Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me. (Clara T. Williams)

THE LORD SPOKE (November 26)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 44-45

Ezekiel 44:23a - They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common....

The requirements sound like a resumé of the laws found elsewhere (Ex. 19-24; Lev. 11-15; Deut. 4-11), just slightly notched up. True, the priests were held to a different standard (Ezek. 44) but nearly all the individual requirements are found elsewhere and applied to every Israelite. The substance of God’s righteous expectations didn’t vary greatly between priest and people. There were a few items which set the priests apart but the moral principles were applicable across the board.

In a very similar sense, the New Testament requirements for a pastor/bishop/elder in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are found scattered in many other texts with application to all believers. It seems to be the qualifying nature of the combined list that sets it apart. Some will quibble over the terminology of “requirements”, “qualifications”, or “characteristics” but that seems to miss the point. Because of their role as spiritual leaders, God holds them to a higher standard.

Both the priest in the Old Testament and the pastor in the New are held accountable for the spiritual state of others. “They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common” (Ezek. 44:23a). James warns us, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly (Jas. 3:1). Teaching others means you better know it first yourself.

Because, by their example, they could so easily lead others astray, God required the priests to be different. It’s not that certain sins are excusable for laymen. It’s that they were unacceptable for spiritual leaders. You’ve heard it said, “like father, like son”? Well, it’s also true, “like priest, like people”. Of the wicked sons of Eli (I Sam. 2:12-17) it was said, “they had no regard for the Lord” (I Sam. 2:12). The result is that people concerned with righteousness will be discouraged and may grow disheartened in their pursuit of God. Those unconcerned with righteousness will grow colder yet or be confirmed in their godless living. For the spiritual leader it means double-jeopardy - for his own sin and for those he encourages others to commit by his poor example.

God’s spiritual leaders must teach His people the difference between the holy and the common.


Psalms 141-142

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Ps. 141:3)

Someone has said:

If your lips you would keep from slips,
Five things observe with care:
To whom you speak, of whom you speak,
And how and when and where.

But there might be some danger in thinking you can do it alone. For success in this endeavor, be sure to do this:

If your tongue you’d keep from wrong,
One thing be sure to do:
Commit your way to God above,
His grace will see you through.

Here are some selected Proverbs that might help you in your use of the tongue:

10:18-19 - He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

11:9,12-13 - With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor.... A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

12:19,22 - Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.... The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.

13:3 - He who guards his lips guards his soul, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

15:1,4 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.... The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

16:23-24,28 - A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.... A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.

17:27-28 - A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

18:2,6-7,13 - A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.... A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.... He who answers before listening - that is his folly and his shame.

20:19 - A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

THE LORD SPOKE (November 25)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 42-43

What good is a temple without the presence of God? Ezekiel saw the glory of God departing to the east (11:2) and now, in vision and audition, he sees it return (43:4). God’s glory is always on the move in Ezekiel (3:23; 9:3; 10:4,18; 44:4). Its sound is “like the roar of rushing waves” (43:2; compare Rev. 1:15; 14:2; 19:6). The temple plan, so intricately described in chapters 40-42, is blessed now by the return of the Shekinah with a radiance like that of a rainbow (see 1:28).

But as beautiful as was the building, the architectural focus is on the altar (43:13-27). Over 20' tall, it took a pyramidal shape with three stacked layers of decreasing size. The top level is called the “altar hearth” (43:15; literally, “the mountain of God”, harel). From its surface (called “the lion of God”, ariel, in 43:15,16) projected four horns. These offer asylum for the accused person (Ex. 21:12-14) and are where the blood of the sacrifices will be sprinkled. Unlike previous altars, this one will have stairs leading to its top (40:17; compare Ex. 20:26).

No ark or mercy-seat is mentioned in this temple because propitiation for sins has been accomplished once-and-for-all at the death of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29). The reason for the altar and the sacrifices that will be carried out on it is not to take away sin (Heb. 10:4 tells us they could never do that) but to look back at the supreme Sacrifice which solved the sin problem once and forever. They will serve as a memorial of His death and the solution for sin which God accepted on our behalf.

Alas! and did my Savior bleed,
And did my Sovereign die!
Would he devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Was it for crimes that I have done,
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut its glories in,
When God, the mighty maker, died
For his own creature's sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While his dear cross appears;
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt mine eyes to tears.

But drops of tears can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe.
Here, Lord, I give myself away;
'Tis all that I can do.

Isaac Watts


Psalms 139-140

You’d think a king would be able to hide away if need be. Surely a sovereign could obtain secrecy. But David knew from experience that his sin could not be hidden. He’d found out the hard way the truth of Moses’ words: “you may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).

But David’s relationship with the Lord was such that he invited God’s scrutiny and asked Him to reveal even his unperceived sin. The purpose was that he might then walk “in the way everlasting”. Like bookends, Psalm 139 has this thought at the beginning and at the close:

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.... Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps. 139:1-2,23-24)

It takes a genuine relationship with the Lord and a strong desire to please Him to pray such a prayer. Those words inspired J. Edwin Orr to write the words to the well-known song, Cleanse Me. Think through each stanza carefully and then sing it as your own prayer to God.

Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word and make me pure within.
Fill me with fire where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.

Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender Lord - in me abide.

O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival, start the work in me.
Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

THE LORD SPOKE (November 24)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 40-41

The millennial temple. No, it’s the Millennial Temple. This was not just another building that Ezekiel was describing. It will be a magnificent structure that all the saints of the Old Testament will see and experience!

The Bible doesn’t tell us specifically when those saints will be resurrected. Some place it at the end of time, relating it to the destruction of the earth by fire and its restoration in the New Heavens and New Earth. They will populate eternity. That’s possible but their resurrection before the millennium makes better sense. Otherwise, they miss out on all the promises of the Old Testament - promises made to them. The promise of their return to the Land, of the restoration of that Land, of a kingdom, of David back on his throne in Jerusalem, of the Messiah present and governing that kingdom, of life the way it was meant to be under God’s sovereign rule.

So when Ezekiel describes that future Temple, he has stars in his eyes. Though it has many similarities with the Temple of Solomon from Ezekiel’s time, it is more magnificent by far in dimensions. In fact, it won’t fit topographically on Jerusalem’s historic hills and valleys. Mount Moriah, the “Temple Mount”, won’t contain it. But that’s not a problem because Isaiah has already told us that “every valley shall be exalted and the mountains made low” (Is. 40:4) so the necessary space will be there.

Does a Temple and sacrifices in Jerusalem during the millennium bother you? If we understand properly what they meant and what they accomplished we will better understand what they will mean and their purpose in the future Temple. The writer of Hebrews tells us that “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Heb. 10:4). Though they were God’s solution for the sin problem at the time, those sacrifices looked forward to the Lamb of God that would “take away the sins of the world” (Jn. 1:29).

The sacrifices of the Old Testament looked forward to the efficient Sacrifice that would be the only sufficient solution to the sin problem. Just as our New Testament communion service looks back to that same Sacrifice as a symbolic memorial, so too will the sacrifices during the millennium point to the One and only solution for sin.

If the Old Testament saints are, in fact, resurrected before the millennium you may be sure that every one of them will make every effort to see that magnificent Temple that Ezekiel saw only in vision. Will we be there? If you know Christ as your personal savior today you will return with Him as the army dressed in white linen described in Revelation 19:14. That will be in time for the 1000-year reign (Rev. 20:1-6) so, yes, you may expect to see that Temple too.


Psalms 137-138

“You can take the boy out of the mountains, but you can’t take the mountains out of the boy.”

That’s about the closest parallel to what is found here in Psalm 137. Deep in the heart of every Jewish person is a longing for Jerusalem. The love of Zion was a dull ache for centuries. The seventy-year captivity in Babylon, which provides the context for this psalm, was protracted since the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 AD. For nearly 2000 years, Jews the world over “sang the songs of Zion” and hoped for her restoration and their restoration to her.

Things began to change in the late 1800's. Though there had always been a Jewish presence in Jerusalem (usually a majority!), there were times when it wasn’t much more than a sleepy village languishing in the backwaters. The arrival of many Europeans with thoughts of empire expansion brought swift change to Jerusalem, and culminated in the First World War. First the railroad and then a paved road linked her to the coast and the rest of the world. Early on, Bible-believers beat a pilgrim’s path to her gates. The “London Society for the Propagation of Christianity Amongst the Jews” held on to the belief that the Jews would one day return to the Land, even when such a belief wasn’t very popular. Major change came with the advent of modern Zionism.

David Ben-Gurion tenaciously held on to Jerusalem even when it wasn’t militarily the best decision. When the dust settled after Israel’s War of Independence in 1948, she held west Jerusalem but not the Old City. “Reunification” didn’t come until 19 years later. The Six-Day War in 1967 once again gave Jews access to all of Jerusalem, “never to leave again”.

If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget its skill.
May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
if I do not remember you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.
Psalm 137:5-6

Nowhere in Scripture does it say, “If I forget thee, O New York... or O Paris... or O Tokyo.” But it does say, “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem....” The city of God’s delight and choosing has held a place in the heart of every Bible-believer since he first read of David’s conquest of the city. Jerusalem is not only the object of our historical attention, it is the dream of our eschatological longing. It’s where Jesus died and rose again, leaving an empty tomb! But it’s also where all the nations of the earth will go up to honor Him. It’s where we will see Him, once again upon this earth.

There is no forgetting Jerusalem!

THE LORD SPOKE (November 23)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 39

Don’t you wonder sometimes if maybe it has already all happened? If maybe the biblical prophecies about Israel were already fulfilled at some time in the past?

The first question, of course, would be when. There is no point in the historical record when it could be said that the prophecies of Ezekiel 39 have taken place. Apart from the difficulty of understanding exactly who is Gog (vs. 1) and where is Magog (vs. 6), there is no candidate in time that matches the descriptions of the aftermath of war in Israel in terms of weapon collection (vs. 9-10) and grave-digging (vs. 11-16). For sure, there was never a Temple like Ezekiel describes in chapter 40.

There are three possible approaches to this: (1) None of it has ever happened and it never will. At best, the Bible is just a good story and this is part of the fairytale. (2) It has not happened yet but it will because the Bible is to be interpreted literally. (3) It has happened in some allegorical or mystical sense. We just need to “interpret” it spiritually.

That has driven some to spiritualize the very concept of Israel and these future events. Many today see the Church as the fulfillment of the prophecies made concerning Israel. Israel was “the church in the Old Testament” and the Church today is “the Israel of God”. Covenant Theology, across the board, has bought into this and takes these clear biblical statements in some mystical or spiritual sense. It’s a handy-dandy hermeneutic that deftly applies all the curses to Israel and all the blessings to the Church. It amounts to a bankrupt system that doesn’t explain Scripture!

Taken literally, the Bible demands a future for ethnic Israel. If “Israel” means Israel and if God is not a liar, how can we not conclude that there is yet to be a restoration of Israel that matches these words from Ezekiel 39:22-29?

From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God. And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offenses, and I hid my face from them. “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will now bring Jacob back from captivity and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name. They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid. When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will show myself holy through them in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. 29 I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.” (emphasis added)

If “Israel” means Israel and if God is not a liar, we may yet look forward to the fulfillment of this prophecy. As Jewish people commonly say, “May it be speedily and in our days!”


Psalms 135-136

Framed with “hallelujahs”, Psalm 135 is part of “the Great Hallel”. Along with and coming just after the 15 “Songs of Ascent” (Ps. 121-134) it was especially intended for the Temple liturgy. It would have been fantastic to hear it recited in its original setting but it still speaks to us today.

It speaks of a gracious God who is an integral part of His creation. He is “in the heavens and on the earth” (vs. 6). He is in control of things like clouds and rain, lightning and storms (vs. 7), but He has “compassion on his servants” (vs. 14). He is greater than all other gods (vs. 5) for He really does speak and see and hear (vs. 16-17).

His love for Israel is notorious. He chose Jacob (vs. 4) and, when the time came, He led Jacob’s sons out of Egypt and to the Land of Promise. In doing so He “struck down many nations” (vs. 10) and gave their land as an inheritance to the people of Israel (vs. 12).

In this process, God chose a particular place for Himself to dwell among his people. This has been a recurring theme in the last several psalms:

132:13-14 - For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling: “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it....”

133:3 - ...on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

134:3 - May the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth bless you from Zion.

135:21 - Praise to the Lord from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.

The theme of Mount Zion becomes a picture for heaven in the New Testament (see Heb. 11:10, 13-16; 12: 22-24;13:14. And so we sing also...

Come, we that love the Lord,
and let our joys be known;
join in a song with sweet accord,
join in a song with sweet accord
and thus surround the throne,
and thus surround the throne.

We're marching to Zion,
beautiful, beautiful Zion;
we're marching upward to Zion,
the beautiful city of God.

Then let our songs abound,
and every tear be dry;
we're marching through Emmanuel's ground,
we're marching through Emmanuel's ground,
to fairer worlds on high,
to fairer worlds on high.
Isaac Watts

THE LORD SPOKE (November 22)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 37-38

Same song; stanza two. The tune is definitely the same and the chorus is repeated. Both chapter 36 and chapter 37 give melody to the restoration of the People of Israel to the Land of Israel. Both repeat the refrain, “Then they will know that I am the Lord” (36:38 and 37:6). Both bring in the harmonic theme: “I will put my Spirit in them” (36:27 and 37:14).

The new variation that is introduced in chapter 37 is the resurrection of David as their king (vs. 24). But in that same paragraph (vs. 24-28) the dominant chords of Old Testament biblical theology are all struck:

POSSESSION/LAND (vs. 25) - “they will live in the land”
PRINCE (vs. 25) - “David my servant will be their prince forever”
PROMISE (vs. 25) - “I will make a covenant of peace with them”
PRESERVATION (vs. 25) - “I will establish them”
PEOPLE (vs. 25) - “I will be their god and they will be my people”

And did you notice? Five times in four verses it’s repeated that this is everlasting and forever!

What we have seen in Israel in the last 60+ years is exactly what we should have expected from this prophecy. First, dry (and often smelly) bones coming together (vs. 1-3). Then flesh and tendons appearing; some skin spreading (vs. 4-6). More flesh appearing as the bones came together and began to stand erect (vs. 7-8). What hasn’t happened yet is the Spirit of God breathing true Life into those bones (vs. 9-10) but, by the order of the prophecy, that day must be close!

With Paul we cry out:

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they might be saved. (Romans 10:1)

Check out the context of that verse and see how it is to happen in Romans 10:14-15.


Psalms 133-134

May the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.
Psalm 134:3

How is it possible to be blessed from Zion? Isn’t that place just all messed up and about to be blown up? Aren’t they all just killing each other over there?

No! That’s the warped view you’ll get from the media but it’s not an accurate description of Israel today. Here are some suggestions for how you can experience the Lord’s “blessing from Zion”.

1. Inform yourself of the Jewish believers in Israel today. Over 80 messianic congregations are actively preaching the Gospel. Many of them would put us to shame by what they’re doing in terms of evangelism. They’ll bless and challenge you!
2. Visit Israel and see for yourself. It’s a thriving democracy (the only one in the Middle East!) And experiencing growth in almost every sector. Thousands of new immigrants continue to pour in every year. It is arguably the most dynamic society anywhere on earth.
3. Study the history of modern Israel. (Graduate from the Zion Chronicles to the real thing.) It’s a story of real heroes and amazing exploits. At many points you’ll have to shake your head and say “only God”. You’ll be blessed from Zion when you know the historical accounts of what’s happened in our generation.
4. Learn some Hebrew so you can read the biblical text in the original language. It will open up many new vistas and you’ll be “blessed from Zion” again and again when you see the links to the Land, the culture, and the people of Israel.

We know it must be done,
For God hath spoke the word.
And all Israel shall their Savior own,
To their first state restored;
Rebuilt by His command,
Jerusalem shall rise;
Her temple on Moriah stand
Again and touch the skies.

Send then Thy servants forth,
To call the Hebrews home.
From East and West and South and North,
Let all the wanderers come.
Wherever in lands unknown,
The fugitives remain,
Bid every creature help them on,
Thy holy mount to gain.

(from John Wesley’s unpublished “Zionist Hymn”)

THE LORD SPOKE (November 21)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 35-36

It starts out with a prophecy “to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and deserted towns” (Ezek. 36:4). Not your usual prophecy! But it is God’s promise to the Promised Land. To be sure, after the plunder and ravages of war, even the scorched land needed to be restored and so the two come together - the restoration of the land to make ready for the restoration of the people to the Land:

But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. I am concerned for you [the land!] and will look on you with favor.... (Ezek. 36:8,9)

Because of their sin, God dispersed the Israelites and scattered them among the nations (Ezek. 36:19). The description “wandering Jew” became a byword as the world recognized (sometimes with glee) God’s judgment upon them in their Dispersion. They were driven from their Land (Ezek. 36:20).

But the same prophecies that foretold this dispersion and judgment always included the promise of God’s eventual restoration of His People. For His own sake (Ezek. 36:22, 32) He has obligated Himself in this regard and says:

For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. (Ezek. 36:24)

Then, echoing the promises of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31, He promises them a cleansing and a new heart (Ezek. 36:25-26) and, finally, the indwelling Spirit (Ezek. 36:27). The result? Then (Ezek. 36:31, 38a) they will know beyond any possible doubt that God is Jehovah, the Sovereign Lord!


Psalms 131-132

Spurgeon said that Psalm 131 was “one of the shortest psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn”. How sadly true that is. Coming as it does right after Psalm 130, it is a reminder that we really have no basis for pride. All our potentially “great” deeds are quickly knocked down to size by our ugly sin. It’s a good thing that God doesn’t keep a record of sin (Ps. 130:3).

We so easily allow our personal achievements to cloud our vision. We have such an exalted view of our own heroic exploits. We try to make our own way in the world and this pride and haughtiness is our destruction. Scripture tells us that God resists the proud. Look at what happened to Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4). Consider these verses:

• Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. (Ps. 94:2)
• Those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (Dan. 4:34)
• The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled. (Isa. 2:17)
• God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (Prov. 3:34; quoted in Jas. 4:6 and I Pet. 5:5)

Is that really the direction you want to go? If not, then “humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up” (Jas. 4:10, KJV). To do that, you need to follow David’s example here in Psalm 131.

I have stilled and quieted my soul. (Ps. 131:2)

How do you do that?

1. Sit down and be physically still for a few minutes.
2. Talk to God, asking Him to calm you down.
3. Purge your mind of all its agitations by concentrating your thoughts on the Lord.
4. Confess your sin as things come to mind and the Holy Spirit begins to work in your heart.
5. Read Scripture. It will help with that purging process. James or I Peter would be good places to start.

In doing so, you will be weaned away from worldly concerns. That’s the meaning of Psalm 131:2! You’ll find that your soul will be “stilled and quieted”. Proud thoughts will vanish one by one. Your “hope in the Lord” will be strengthened. You’ll be well on the way towards learning Psalm 131 instead of just reading it.

THE LORD SPOKE (November 20)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 33-34

The “shepherds” referred to in this passage are not spiritual leaders - prophets or priests - but rulers who sought in their government their own selfish ends, not the good of the people ruled. David, the first king of Israel is cited (Ezek. 34:23, 24) as a good example of how the job was intended to be done. God took him from the sheepfold to the palace in this capacity (II Sam. 5:2; Ps. 78:70, 71). Consequently, the job of a shepherd and his responsibility for a flock became an appropriate metaphor for biblical leadership. The office of ruler, like that of a shepherd for his flock, is to guard and to provide for the well-being of his people. Some are false and some are faithful in their job.

I. THE FALSE SHEPHERDS (34:1-6)
1. They feed and water themselves and ignore their flocks (vs. 1–3).
2. They refuse to care for the weak, sick, and injured sheep (vs. 4).
3. They allow the sheep to wander (vs. 4-6).
4. They let the wild animals devour the sheep (vs. 5).

II. THE FAITHFUL SHEPHERD (34:7-16)
1. His relationship with the false shepherds:
a. He removes them and holds them responsible (vs. 10).
b. He judges them (vs. 20-21).
2. His relationship with the sheep:
a. He rescues and regathers them (vs. 11-12, 22).
b. He feeds them (34:13).
c. He gives them good pasture (34:14-15, 26-27).
d. He binds up the injured and strengthens the weak (vs. 16).
e. He protects them (vs. 25, 28).
f. He adopts them as his own (vs. 29-31).

III. THE FUTURE OF THE FLOCK (34:17-31)
1. His relationship with the rams and goats (vs. 17).
2. His relationship with the naughty sheep (vs. 18-21).
3. His relationship with the under-shepherd (vs. 23-24).
4. His commitment to the flock (vs. 25-31)

We can find several applications to our day and our situation. (1) God still has the same standard for government leaders today. (2) He has established this model for local churches and gives them pastors/shepherds to guard and guide the flock. (3) Corporations and organizations at almost every level function best when they are set up on just this sort of paradigm. (4) A father’s role with his wife and children has many analogies.

In this way, God has provided for the weak, the naive, the indefensible, the errant ones, etc. It is His purpose that we each be part of some greater flock - for our own protection and productivity and for His glory.


Psalms 129-130

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
therefore, you are feared.
Psalm 130:3-4

Did you ever keep one of those little black books? Did you have a notebook or some place where you wrote everything down? Did you make annotations on all the nasty things other people did?

Did it ever do you any good? Did it make you a better person or sweeten your disposition in any way? Did it ever come to be truly useful for any positive outcome? If you ever shared it with anyone else (or they snooped and found it on their own), did it improve their character too?

Do you have one of those little black books now? Do you have a file folder of someone’s faults? Are you keeping those old e-mails just in case they might come in handy some day?

Instead of doing any good, they sour your spirit every time you see them. You don’t even have to open the book and read anything. Its mere appearance before you is enough to bring it all up again in your mind. It’s a vile regurgitation. It can mess up your whole day just remembering it.

Aren’t you glad God doesn’t do that? He has forgiven and blotted out all our sins. He has removed them, deleted them, and forgotten them by means of the cleansing blood of His dear Son.

• As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Ps. 103:12)
• Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him.... (Ps. 32:1-2; quoted in Rom. 4:7-8)
• You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. (Ps. 85:2)

Rejoice in the cleansing forgiveness of a great God. And, please, get rid of that little black book. It is a liberating act of forgiveness.

THE LORD SPOKE (November 19)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 31-32

Let it be clearly understood - this chapter is not about vegetation. The opening verses of Ezekiel 31 indicate that it is directed to Pharaoh, king of Egypt. But the metaphor of a beautiful tree in the forest does remind us of the beauty of God’s creation. Bible-believers have the greatest of all motivations to be environmentalists. Not the “hug-a-tree” kind, but biblical environmentalists. On the opening pages of Genesis, God gave man the responsibility to “tend the garden”, to use (not abuse) the creation of His hand which was made, in part, for man’s enjoyment. After the flood (Gen. 9:1-3), every living thing was given to man for his needs and enjoyment. We have been commissioned to take care of the earth and its fullness.

Back to Ezekiel 31, the prophet compares Egypt to the once mighty Assyria. In doing so, he uses the cedar of Lebanon as a metaphor. The reader is invited to consider that loftiest of all trees. Cedar is considered one of the choicest of woods because of its fragrance and durability. The cedar of Lebanon is often used in Scripture as a picture of majesty (vs. 2b) and beauty (vs. 7). Because it grew so tall it over-shadowed the other trees of the forest (vs. 3,5). The strong branches spread wide (vs. 5,7) and gave shelter for many birds and wild animals (vs. 6). Though filled with every imaginable beauty, the Garden of Eden could offer nothing better than the magnificent cedar tree (vs. 9).

Long ago, Joyce Kilmer wrote:

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

and Henry Ward Beecher (Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit, 1870) contributed:

Of all man's works of art, a cathedral is the greatest.
But a vast and majestic tree is greater than all that.

Walking in the woods, admiring mountain grandeur, smelling the trees and resting in their protection, listening to the babbling brook - it doesn’t take one very long in that cathedral to recognize the mighty hand of the Creator. He has said that the heavens portray His craft and power (Ps. 19:1; Rom. 1:19-20). They draw us to Him and demonstrate that He exists and is sovereign over all.

And He has given it to us to enjoy and care for. How are we doing? How are you doing personally? Whenever you clean up, pick up, trim up, rake up, till up, or plow up - you are pleasing your Creator. When you seed, sow, set out, spray and then you conserve, cultivate, compost, and cover - you are doing His will. When you plant, propagate, pollinate and then feed and fertilize, manage and mulch and in other ways enrich the soil - you are fulfilling His purpose for you. Makes you want to get outside and do something, doesn’t it?


Psalms 127-128

He grants sleep to those he loves. (Ps. 127:2b)

Sleep is a daily reminder of our frailty. Physical tiredness often results in low resistance to both sin and sickness. It is of utmost importance that each individual should determine his own optimal amount of sleep and then get into the habit of maintaining that level as closely as possible. It’s equally bad both to sleep more than needed and to sleep less than needed on a regular basis. Consistency and balance are very important in this matter. Anything less will inevitably result in sickness - either physical or spiritual or, most likely, both. Take a look at Proverbs 6:1-11. You’ll find there two times when it’s wrong to sleep: (1) when you have an unresolved conflict (vs 4), and (2) when you should be getting your work done (vs 9). Back-up for that can be found in Proverbs 10:5, 20:13, and 24:33-34.

Sleep is a daily gift from God. God gives us sleep. It’s given every day - to restore our strength, to refresh our mind, and to repair our body. It is a time that allows us peace even in the midst of turmoil. David said, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.” (Ps. 3:5-6). You might be saying, “Oh, but you don’t know the problems I’m facing. I just can’t sleep.” Oh, really? Your problems are greater than David faced? It’s doubtful that you’ve ever had to face anything greater than David did but maybe the problems are of your own making. Wise Solomon tells us, “Preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” (Prov. 3:21-24).

Sleep is a daily opportunity to examine our hearts before God. Just before falling asleep is the perfect time for a short review of the day. It may be a good time to start a plan for tomorrow. It certainly is an excellent time to speak to God.

I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

THE LORD SPOKE (November 18)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 29-30

It wasn’t very p.c. In fact, you could have been executed for it if anyone found out. Speaking against the Pharaoh carried a death penalty. To even imply that God wasn’t on his side was akin to blasphemy. According to Pharaoh, he was God!

It didn’t stop Ezekiel. When “the word fo the Lord came to him” (Ezek. 29:1) he didn’t look back once. He proclaimed loud and clear just what the Lord said:

I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, you great monster.... (29:3)

At the risk of his own neck, he declared the word of the Lord. And God didn’t pull any punches. The kid gloves were definitely off when He challenged Pharaoh:

• “what you say is yours - is really mine” (29:3b)
• “your people think you’re God - they’ll soon know I am” (29:6)
• “you thought you could eat up my people - I’ll eat up yours” (29:7-8)
• “you think your country is so great - I’ll make it a wasteland” (29:10)
• “you think your people are so united - I’ll scatter them to the four winds” (29:12)
• “you think you’re such a strong nation - I’ll wipe you out” (29:15)

Guess what? It happened! Egypt, for the last 2500 years has been a nothing country. For a brief moment, the Suez Canal made it a strategic hinge point but even then it was totally dominated by foreign nations (29:15). Nasser tried and failed. Sadat’s moment in the sun was only significant because Israel had dominated - again.

The following chapter (Ezekiel 30) is a lament for Egypt. Her downfall is the ruination of others around her. Cush, Put, Lydia, Arabia, and Libya are mentioned specifically (30:5). The reference to “the people of the covenant land” has intrigued the commentators. That “the covenant land” (i.e. “the Promised Land”) is Israel leaves little doubt. But who are “the people” of this land? Jews living in Egypt? Maybe. Arabs/Egyptians living in Israel? Probably!

Today “Palestinians comprise about a quarter of the population of Israel and they are largely Arabs from the surrounding countries, a large percentage of which are from Egypt. Yasser Arafat himself was born in Cairo and started attending the University of Cairo before there was a State of Israel.

What message is there in this for us today? God is involved in the affairs of nations. Paul told the men of Athens gathered at the Areopagus:

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth.... From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.... Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone - an image made by man’s design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead. Acts 17:24-31

Psalms 125-126

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. (Psalm 125:1-2)

The writer to the Hebrews also had something to say about Mount Zion. In his case, it clearly represented heaven (see Heb. 11:10, 13-16; 13:14 for proof of that). He says:

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Heb. 12:22-24).

The reason that Mount Zion is so fantastic is that...

• It is God’s house - the heavenly Jerusalem.

Being a “city” speaks of orderliness, community, provisions, and security. It is, in fact, where we “come to God” - the highest delight.

• It is the abode of angels - a joyful assembly.

Some translations have “festal assembly”. The apostle John saw it up close and described it this way: Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" (Rev. 5:11-13)

• It is the home of the church - a congregation of the redeemed.

The term “firstborn” here is plural. Seven of the nine times it occurs in the New Testament it is singular and clearly refers to Jesus. But the plural here refers to the church saints who are made joint heirs with Christ and have the position of “firstborns”.

• It is the location of Old Testament saints - righteous men made perfect.

These saints are awaiting the resurrection of their bodies and participation in the earthly millennial kingdom. All those promises of the Old Testament will yet be fulfilled to them!

• It is the residence of Jesus - the Lamb who purchased our salvation by His own blood.

The “blood of Abel” cried out for vengeance (see Gen. 4:10). Jesus’ blood cries out for forgiveness and His blood is speaking to us.

Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God;
God, whose word cannot be broken, formed thee for his own abode.
On the Rock of Ages founded, what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded, thou mayst smile at all thy foes.

Blest inhabitants of Zion, washed in our Redeemer's blood;
Jesus, whom our souls rely on, makes us monarchs, priests to God.
Us, by his great love, he raises, rulers over self to reign,
and as priests his solemn praises we for thankful offering bring. (Isaac Watts)

THE LORD SPOKE (November 17)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 27-28

Ezekiel 28:24-26 - No longer will the people of Israel have malicious neighbors who are painful briers and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord”. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will show myself holy among them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.

The promise goes back to Jacob! Clear back at Bethel (Gen. 28:13) God told him, “I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.” On a return visit to Bethel (35:12) the promise was repeated. Both times the link was made with Abraham and Isaac who were also told that this promise would be forever (Gen. 13:15), to all their generations.

Ezekiel repeats the promise several times in the course of his writings, with the emphasis on God’s covenant to “gather them from the nations and bring them back to their own land” (Ezek. 11:17; 20:34,41-42; 34:13; 36:24; 37:21; 38:8-9; 39:28). Did you notice? Ezekiel repeats the promise several times!

A hundred years ago it still looked impossible. Today it’s an established fact, much to the consternation of some. God did not forget or forsake His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, made 4000 years ago. We call it “the Promised Land” not because it was a particularly promising land - it’s not. It is the Land that was promised by God to Abraham’s descendants forever. Lest we get into another form of this controversy, please note that it was promised to Abraham’s descendants through Isaac and Jacob, not through Ishmael.

It can’t be said yet that the promise has been fulfilled (past tense) but it certainly can be said with confidence that it is being fulfilled today before our very eyes. Because there is no single census available and because the definition of “who is a Jew” is so complicated (figures range from 13.2 to 25.2 million), it is difficult to obtain an accurate number for the world Jewish population. Assuming that it is in the neighborhood of 18 million, and considering that the Jewish population in Israel today is approaching 6 million, we can say that the prophecy is around 30% completed. But this is the point - it is being fulfilled.

By the time we get to chapter 37 we will see several other details about this prophecy. The very idea of dry bones being gathered, knocking together, rising up, and being dressed with living flesh is a description of just what is happening. We long for the day when God’s Spirit will be poured out (37:14) for it is only then that Israel and all the other nations will see God’s hand in it and will “know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it”.


Psalms 123-124

These psalms of ascent were not only applied in a literal sense, being sung during the final climb up the steps to the Temple. They also have a metaphorical application in the advancing maturity of a life lived upward toward God.

In living that way, one often looks back in review. Upward progress is all the more sweet when we recognize how far we’ve come. When, from above, you see the place you were not so very long ago, you’re encouraged to press on. You’re also apt to say with the psalmist in Psalm 124:

If the Lord had not been on our side...we would have been swept away.

The stumbling blocks in your path may look different than those that Israel faced (vs. 2-5) but we all inevitably face our own. The Devil will ensure that we do. How appropriate is the metaphor of a bird escaping the fowler’s snare. We sometimes are entrapped by our foul enemy but God is always able to break the snare and give us a way to escape. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (I Cor. 10:13).

So let us periodically take stock. Let us look back and take note of the progress. Let us recognize how very much God has helped us. Indeed, “our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Ps. 124:8).

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting, thou art God,
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages, in thy sight,
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night,
Before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all who breathe away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come;
Be thou our guide while life shall last,
And our eternal home.

Isaac Watts

THE LORD SPOKE (November 16)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 25-26

It’s Genesis 12:3 at work! Those strong words of the Abrahamic Covenant have been the downfall of many a nation ever since. Better said: many a nation has brought itself down because it didn’t heed those words.

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.

Five of them in these two chapters! Three to the east of Israel - Ammon (25:1-7), Moab (25:8-11), and Edom (25:12-14). One to the west - Philistia (25:15-17) - and one to the north - Tyre (26:1 - 28:16). If you peek ahead there’s still the big one to the south - Egypt (29:1 - 32:32).

While you’re peeking, take a closer look at the promise to Israel in Ezekiel 28:24.

No longer will the people of Israel have malicious neighbors who are painful briers and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

That day hasn’t come yet. Israel is still surrounded by the same kind of ugly neighbors. In part because of her own sin, she continues to suffer. But Genesis 12:1-3 is an unconditional promise and the final fulfillment will come. True, there are no longer any Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Philistines, or Tyrians gloating (23:3), jeering (23:8), and revenging (25:12,15) over Israel. But God has allowed others to take their place because the last part of Ezekiel 28:24 still hasn’t happened; Israel still has not acknowledged God as her sovereign lord. We’re soon to come up to Ezekiel 36 and 37 where it tells us more about when this will take place. Both chapters speak of a time when God will pour out His Spirit on Israel (36:27 and 37:14a) and both chapters say, then Israel will recognize and revere Him (36:31 and 37:14b).

Is there not a lesson - several of them - here for us?

1. Bless the nation of Israel today and always. Take care how you touch the apple of God’s eye (Zech. 2:8).
2. Look to your own faults and make sure that you acknowledge God as your Sovereign Lord. Learn from a bad example.
3. Anticipate that great awakening of the Jewish people. Look forward to the day of the Lord’s return, Israel’s restoration, and your redemption. They are all connected.
4. In the mean time, pray for the peace of Israel (Ps. 122:6; Rom. 10:1).

Psalms 120-122

Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. (Ps. 122:6)

In Hebrew it even sounds peaceful. But praying for the peace of Jerusalem is not always peaceful business. As the psalmist himself said, “I am a man of peace, but when I speak, they are for war.” (Ps. 120:7).

Assuming that Jerusalem in this context represents the entire land and people of Israel, how can/should we “pray for Jerusalem?

Unfortunately, even that assumption is not without its problems. Not one nation on earth recognizes Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel. This has been the case ever since the UN decision on November 29, 1947 which “established” Jerusalem as an international city under UN auspices. Never mind that the UN never did anything to follow through on its own decision. It stood by and did nothing to step in when seven Arab nations crossed the borders and attacked the fledgling Jewish nation the day after it declared statehood. Though the UN created the Partition Plan which provided for two states, it did absolutely nothing to bring it to reality or to enforce its successful operation in the Middle East. Even today its feeble attempts are entirely one-sided; take, for example the 160 resolutions condemning Israel over the past 40 years.

All of that recent history has a definite affect on the answer to our question, “How should we pray for the peace of Jerusalem?”

• Pray for the government of Israel. Pray that her political leaders would enact just and equitable laws that would reflect biblical principles. Pray that democracy would remain strong.
• Pray for the educational system in Israel. Pray that a new generation would be taught well and that biblical principles of right and wrong would be the foundation of her education
• Pray for the families in Israel. Pray that fathers would provide leadership and that moms and dads would truly nurture their children and give them godly examples to follow.
• Pray for the economy of Israel. Pray that her productivity would continue to grow and that she would use righteous principles of finance in both national and international affairs.
• Pray for the soldiers and police of Israel. Pray that they would be alert at all times and do their job of defending and protecting the country well. Pray that they would maintain their high standards of justice.
• Pray for the people of Israel. Pray for their physical safety from enemies who continuously threaten their very existence. Pray that they would be encouraged in their struggle. Pray that they would recognize Jesus as their Messiah.
• Pray for the Lord’s return. Ultimately, that is a prayer for the restoration of Jerusalem and the Jewish people. “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”

THE LORD SPOKE (November 15)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 23-24

Ezekiel 24:15-27

Ezekiel must have questioned the Lord on this one. He wasn’t allowed to mourn (vs. 16). On the very same day (August 14, 586 BC) that the Temple was destroyed, Ezekiel’s wife died. He lost “the delight of his eyes” (vs. 16) but God did not allow him to “lament or weep or shed any tears” (vs. 17).

It’s easy to say, “God did this as an object lesson to teach Israel.” Sure He did. But when Ezekiel went home that night the house was still empty. His best friend wasn’t there to talk over the events of the day. The next morning, he had to fix his own bowl of oatmeal and the cup of Earl Grey didn’t have the same taste when his partner wasn’t sitting across from him at the table. That afternoon he put his own clothes in the washer and slept in a lonely bed again that night.

How could he do it? How could he face the next day? How could he go on ministering to hard-hearted people who didn’t really give a rip. The clue is found in the opening line of this section (vs. 15), “the word of the Lord came to me”. Ezekiel was absolutely sure that God had spoken to him. Apart from that certainty, he couldn’t have done it. When the people questioned him (vs. 19) he came back with those same words, “the word of the Lord came to me” (vs. 20). In fact, sixty-five times in the book he uses that or similar phrases like “this is what the sovereign Lord says” or, quoting God, “I the Lord have spoken”.

There’s more. Six times he says “the hand of the Lord was upon me” (1:3; 3:14,22; 8:1; 33:22; 37:1; 40:1). One of those times he qualifies it by saying “the strong hand of the Lord [was] upon me” (3:14). And on another occasion (2:1) he says “the Spirit came into me”. With that assurance, Ezekiel was able to carry on.

Where are you right now? Are you wondering if it’s worth going on? Are you tempted to give up. Go to the Scriptures and get a sure word from the Lord. Keep it in context, make sure you interpret it carefully, don’t misapply something. But make sure you are seeking the mind of the Lord before you give up or make any rash decisions.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.... “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted....” The Lord Almighty is with us.... Psalm 46:1-2,10-11

Psalm 119

Just take a look at all the personal action verbs (“I will...”) in relation to the Word of God used in Psalm 119:

believe in (vs. 66), choose (vs. 30,173), consider (vs. 6,15,128), delight (vs. 16,24,35,47,70,77,92,143,174), do (vs. 121), faint with longing for (vs. 81), fear [in a positive sense!] (vs. 38,63,74,120), find comfort in (vs. 52), follow (vs. 33,63,106,166), give thanks (vs. 62), hide in heart (vs. 11), hold fast (vs. 31), hope (vs. 43,74,81,114,147), keep (vs. 22,33,34,55,69,101,112,115,146), learn (vs. 7,71,152), lift hands to (vs. 48), live according to (vs. 9), long for (vs. 20,40,131,174), look for (vs. 123), love (vs. 47,48,97,113,119,127,140,159,163,165,167), meditate (vs. 15,23,29,48,78,97,99,148), obey (vs. 5,8,17,34,44,56,57,60,67,88,100,101,129,134,145,158,167,168), ponder (vs. 95), practice (vs. 56), praise (vs. 7,108,164,171,175), recount (vs. 13), regard (vs. 117), rejoice (vs. 14,162), remember (vs. 52,55), run in the path (vs. 32), see (vs. 18), seek (vs. 10,45,58,94,155), set heart on (vs. 30), sing (vs. 54,172), speak of (vs. 46), stand in awe of (vs. 120), take counsel (vs. 24), tremble (vs. 161), trust (vs. 42), turn my steps toward (vs. 59), understand (vs. 27), walk in (vs. 3,173).

Then, consider all the “I will not...” verbs:

not be put to shame (vs. 6,31,46,80), not depart from (vs. 102), not do wrong (vs. 3), not forget (vs. 61,83,93,109,141,153,176), not forsake (vs. 53,87), not ignore (vs. 139), not neglect (vs. 16), not sin (vs. 11,133), not stray (vs. 10,21,110,118), not turn from (vs. 51,157).

Greater yet, look at the verbs that describe what the Word of God is or will do for us:

afflict [for our good!] (vs. 67,71,75), comfort (vs. 50,76,82), counsel (vs. 24), deliver (vs. 117,170), direct (vs. 35,133), do good (vs. 17,65), fulfill promise (vs. 38,76), give discernment (vs. 125), give grace (vs. 29,58), give hope (vs. 49,116), give insight (vs. 99), give light (vs. 105,130), give mercy (vs. 132), give peace (vs. 165), give understanding (vs. 34,73,104,125,130,144,169), help (vs. 86,134), joy (vs. 111), keep pure (vs. 9,29), make wise (vs. 98), open eyes (vs. 18), preserve life (vs. 25,37,40,50,88,93,107,149,154,156,159), rebuke (vs. 21), redeem (vs. 134,154), refuge (vs. 114), remind (vs. 49), remove contempt (vs. 22), save (vs. 94,146), strengthen (vs. 28), sustain (vs. 116,175), take away my disgrace (vs. 39), teach (vs. 12,26,33,64,66,68,102,108,124,135,171), turn my heart (vs. 36), turn my eyes (vs. 37), uphold (vs. 117).

Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Psalm 119:89