a swarm of lumberjacks

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

106_0602Psalm 74

Jerusalem has been sacked, the temple destroyed – all the meeting places of the congregation in the land have been destroyed.  Meanwhile God seems to have wandered off a bit.  He stands off with his hands in his pockets, not doing anything while his enemies lay waste to his city like a swarm of lumberjacks clearing a forest.  The psalmist knows that God has done mighty wonders in the past, delivering his people from great powers.  They cannot see why God stands off, doing nothing.  It’s bad enough that the enemy has done this, but they keep flaunting their evil deed.  Wake up, God! Show them what you can do!

LORD,  help us to trust you, even when we do not understand your actions, or seeming lack thereof. 

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three months trial

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

106_0601Ezra 10

The sin that had been committed was not simply the marrying of foreign wives.  It was the the marrying women and fathering children who did not put their faith in the LORD.  That was the crime which took three months to sort out in the courts.  Each family had to be tested to see whether they had truly converted and were faithful to the LORD.  Those who would not prove allegiance to the God of Israel could not be allowed to settle in restored Jerusalem.  Similarly, a judgment will take place before the new heavens and new earth will be occupied. Those whose names are not found in the book of life will not be allowed to enter the new Jerusalem, and they will not be allowed to partake of the tree of life and live forever.

LORD, purge us of our hypocrisy and capriciousness.  Make of us genuine people, fit for eternity.

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the last chapter

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

031_31Psalm 73

Asaph was bitter about the wealth and health of all the wicked who flaunt their rebellion.  Then he went into the sanctuary and remembered that God reigns.  He read the last chapter of the book and remembered what the eternal fate of the wicked will be.  They will perish. God will put an end to them.  

LORD, when we are tempted to envy those without you, remind us of their end.

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none can stand

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0609Ezra 9

God had granted his people a little reviving, and that had served to highlight the faithlessness of the people.  They had intermarried with the idolatrous nations around them – something that the LORD told them not to do.  It would have been a visible reminder of their disqualification. 

LORD, forgive us for failing to live up to our promises to you.  Allow us to deal radically with our own failures, so that we can represent you to a world that needs you.

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shore to shore

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0608Psalm 72

This psalm is a prayer for a righteous and prosperous reign of the king in Jerusalem.  The prayer was partially fulfilled by the amazing life and reign of Solomon, but it looks to a greater fulfillment in the Messiah’s reign.   Isaac Watts penned a famous version of this psalm which includes these words:

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

LORD, give us the blessing of being part of your reign of righteousness and peace.

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an act of faith

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0607Ezra 8

This wave of returnees to Jerusalem was gathered at the river, but Ezra discovered that he had no Levites with him.  It was important to bring members of this group because they would be able to assist the priests in the worship practices of the restored temple.  Ezra is thinking ahead to the reality of a future in which the temple is restored to full function as a symbol of God’s presence among them, and favor to them.  Acquiring these Levites was an act of faith.  He could have said “we are just a small group, and we don’t know if we can support ourselves.”  Instead, he dared to trust that the LORD who gave them their mission would provide for all those servants necessary to accomplish it.

LORD, help us to act in faith, as Ezra did.

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in the time of old age

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0606Psalm 71

This is a song of an aging man, who has known much trouble but can testify that God has been his refuge all the way.  It is a plea for the LORD to keep supporting and comforting his servant, so that the next generation can see and hear and know that God is real.  The longer one lives as a believer, the more he feels fear that some terrible wrong may interfere with his life and testimony.  After committing to the LORD, the last thing we want is to fail him, and ruin our chance to bring others into his kingdom.

LORD, preserve us, so that we can declare your praise to the coming generations.

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such a thing as this

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0605Ezra 7

Ezra finally shows up in the book with his name on it.  He thanks God for putting “such a thing as this” in the heart of king Artaxerxes.  Was it simply benevolence that God put on the king’s heart?  Probably it was fear as well.  The phrase “lest his wrath be against the realm of the king and his sons” may indicate that.  While we are praying for our rulers, as the Scriptures command us, we should not forget to pray that God instill in them a healthy fear of himself.

LORD, teach our leaders to respect you.

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do not delay

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0604Psalm 70

Perhaps the enemies have just discovered a weakness they think might just be the undoing of the faithful servant.  It seems like they have just discovered the angle that will lead them to finally bring God’s man down.  All that the believer can do is pray, and ask God to deliver him, and hurry!  We know that God is never too late, but sometimes he chooses not to do what we expect when we expect it.  There’s nothing wrong with a prayer of desperation when we are fresh out of deliverers.

LORD, help us today, and do not delay!

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surprise!

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0601Ezra 6

King Darius of the Medo-Persian empire now issues an even stronger edict to ensure that the remnant of Israel is helped and the temple is reconstructed.  They celebrated because “the LORD had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them” (22).  Of course, Darius was not king of the old empire of Assyria.  He was king over the land that had once been occupied by Assyria.  Ezra’s statement demonstrates the irony of the event.  The Assyrians had been the first to conquer and exile God’s people.  Now, the king from that land is helping them to return.  Never underestimate  the power of God to change people.

LORD, surprise us again.

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