We've made it to week 15 people!! Thanks again to those of you who are still hanging in here with me. And before I get into our recap, I just want to ask that you keep the people of Boston in your prayers and thoughts tonight and in the coming days as they try to move on and rebuild from the bombing tragedy that occurred earlier today. It's truly evil times that we are living in. Don't take anything or anyone for granted because you never know what's going to happen.
Now, for our recap. What a mighty and awesome God we serve. I'm telling you all that the Israelites were truly blessed. Even after generations of the Israelities proving that they couldn't stay faithful to Him or obey His commandments, God still frees them yet again from enslavement (Ezra 1). As Ezra 3:11 reads, "...For He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel." So, the Israelites set out to rebuild, but the people of Persia did everything in their power to stop them claiming that "this city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces.." (Ezra 4:15). However, God was with them and moved their mountains.
Just the fact that God delivered them again proves how forgiving and loving He is. Many times we sound like Nehemiah 1:11, "O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray,..." Little do we know and did these people know, God is always attentive to our prayers despite our disobedience. No matter how hardheaded we are (with the exception of blasphemy), our God never stops loving us or looking out for us like He did the Israelites.
And sometimes, we are blessed not due in part to anything that we are doing but because of someone else standing in the gap on our behalf. Think about it. God saved the entire generations of Israelites time and time again usually because one person showed fear and righteous so strong that it moved Him to mercy.
Nehemiah 4:14 really stands out today with all that's happened with this Boston Marathon bombing. It's a reminder that "...the Lord, great and awesome,.." will "fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses." Our times are getting more and more evil as bombings, school shootings and civil uproar become more common place not only in the United States but around the world. It's comforting to know that God still has our back in these troubled times.
Week 16 Readings
4/15: Nehemiah 8-10
4/16: Nehemiah 11-13
4/17: Esther 1-4
4/18: Esther 4-6
4/19: Esther 7-10
4/20: Job 1-7
4/21: Job 8-14
"And sometimes, we are blessed not due in part to anything that we are doing but because of someone else standing in the gap on our behalf." <- YES! I know this to be personally true, this is so important especially when it comes to praying for people that don't know Him. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I definitely stand in the gap for quite a few people that I know. Likewise, I know that I have family and friends who do the same for me. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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