Isaiah 4

I spent about 6 minutes reading this chapter. In verse 10 God's speaks about the special relationship between his people (Israel during the time of Isaiah and Christians today) and himself. God chose his people to be a witness for him and his ways. However, when God's people respond to his plan they not only learn THAT he is God almighty believers will also learn WHO God is. By living through faith we will be given the opportunity to better grasp the nature of God in more than just his creative power and divine greatness. (Romans 1:20) in getting to know God we will also have the opportunity to love God more deeply.
Stuart

Nahum

It took me about 20 minutes to read through the words that God moves Nahum to speak to Judah and Nineveh. The words to Judah are words of healing and encouragement. The message to Nineveh is regarding the sure punishment from God for all of those who reject him. Nahum's words speak to us today on the same two topics of obedience and rebellion. God will always pour his favor on those who seek him and he will always strive to drive those in rebellion back to him. If the rebellious continue to reject God they will ultimately face his judgement.
Stuart

Psalm 42

It took me about 6 minutes to read this chapter. I had always considered the call to God's people to shine as a beacon to the world was new with Jesus' words in Matthew. Here Isaiah introduces the concept to the beleivers struggeling in Judah. His call in verse 7 may have been exclusively to Isaiah, and also to Jesus years in the future. But they carry the same weight as when Jesus spoke the to the large gathering on the mountain. Go let you light shine before all men.
Stuart

2 Thessalonians

It took me about 15 minutes to read this letter. Paul briefly addresses a few topics to warn and encourage the young believers in Thessaloniki. The topic he addresses first is for that issue which must have been foremost on the mind of Paul; enduring injustice. What are we to do as we face unjust treatment in this life? The answer goes against our "better senses." But that is one of the greatest expressions of faith. When we depend upon God to provide for all of our needs we've got to recognize that needed justice is also in God's hand. That is the point that God makes in chapter 1 verses 5-10. That is the lesson that we need to live out in every area of our life.
Stuart

Isaiah 41

It took me about 3 minutes to read this passage. In verse 13 God is making a promise to the people of Judah that the threats of their enemies are meaninglessness. In the midst of pending danger God says not to panic. If he were speaking from a distance his words might not offer much comfort. But our God is neither distant or nor disconnected from our lives; he is right with us all the time. When we hurt he is there in the pain. working out his will in the depths of our pain.
Stuart

Micah 6-7

It took me about 7 minutes to read this passage. The last 3 verses of Micah's writtings present a wonderful summary of how our God desires to deal with all people and how he does treat those who are following him. Micah speaks of mercy and forgiveness as two of God's most obvious traits. And he mentions how God is faithful to the promises that he made to Jacob and Abraham. The promises that God made to them are now bearing fruit in the lives of Christians 21 centuries after Jesus' ministry in the flesh. Our God also keeps his promises to forgive and show mercy; two of the gifts we need most.
Stuart

Isaiah 40

I spent about 6 minutes reading this chapter. Why is it that some people reject God? I suppose some don't like what his word says, others don't want to surrender to anyone. But there are others who have felt like God abandoned them or that he was unable to protect or deliever them from certain difficulties. Isaiah explains that our God isn't crafted by the imaginations of men. It was mankind whom God created. And God is just as powerful today as he was while Isaiah spoke to Judah.
Stuart

Micah 4-5

It took me about 5 minutes to read through this passage. Toward the beginning of chapter 4 Gosd reveals to Micah the coming power of the Gospel; "Nations will quit fighting each other, quit learning how to kill one another." I saw the fruit of this on a trip to a Christian mission in Austria. It is a place and time when people belonging to former political enemies joined together to worship God and grow in service to each other, and study of God's word. A place where Russians and American hugged one another. A time when people raised under conflicting worldviews join together to celebrate what they havew in common. The key event was the gathering together of believers from 14 countries to worship together and share the one load and one cup of the one body of our one Lord and Savior; Jesus Christ.
Stuart

Psalm 150

Where? Why? How? Who? The unnamed psalmist who claims last place in order provides the answers to the four questions about worshipping God. I spent about a minute reading this psalm, but quite a few more pondering the writers thoughts. Was the writter listening to critics who voiced numerous excuses for not worshipping God? Why doesn't the psalm address when to worship God? Since the bulk of the psalm dealing with musical instruments was the writter one of the levitical musicians? Was this psalm the fruit of a long time battle with sorrow or a flash of inspired writing? Whatever the circumstances surrounding its origin I'm thankful that God led someone to include it in the text.
Stuart

Micah 1-3

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. Micah lived in a day when "justice" was for sale. Leaders held on to their power at all costs; especially whatever price they could get out of the vulnerable. What is God's responce to perverted justice? Micah 3:4 says that God turns his back on such leaders in their day of need. When they have no where to turn God will NOT be near for them.
Stuart

Psalm 149

It took me a little more than 1 minute to read this psalm. The psalmist says that God deserves a new song. Throw together a new stanza of notes and words that declare the greatness of our God. In verse 8 he asks why? Why all of this festive celebration? It is not a rhetorical question but instead is a leading question. The psalmist has an answer burning in his heart. Apparently no one else would ask the question that is answer is begging to be voiced. The answer to why is salvation. But not "skin-of-the-teeth" salvation. Not "just-squeaking-through" salvation. The salvation that God bestowes on his people could be described as "niagric", "titanic", "stellar", or even "galaxtic." God lavishly pours out his salvation and his love on the people whom he claims as his own. And that is a wonderful picture of his overflowing grace.
Stuart

Joel

It took me about 14 minutes to read the words of Joel.  Joel wrote to Israel in a time when they were suffering the consequences of the persistent disobedience to God and rejection of his covenant.  “Locust are coming” was the warning God sent through Joel at the beginning and end of the message.  Then right in the middle of the word God gave a message of hope.  In 2:12-14 God said that repentance is the way to God’s heart.  Dying to self, changing the focus of our hearts from self to God is what he still wants in the lives of all people.  Some may argue that to do so would be to ignore the needy in the world.  However, when we put our focus on God he will direct us to the needs of the people.  He will move us to heal the sick, protect the rejected, strengthen the weak, and speak out for those locked in silence.  God’s message of repentance is the same today as it was when Joel spoke.

Stuart

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Paul of Tarsus

Psalm 148

It took me almost 2 minutes to read this psalm. The psalmist points out in verse 14 that because of his greatness God desided to build a monument. When men of power and influence choose to build a memoments they select stone and build them tall. They cover them with precious metals and fill them with pictures of themselves. Yet when God planned a monuments he passed over the durable materials of this world and instead chose the most precious part of creation - people. With the skillful hand of an artisan he is building a monument that will last longer than Mount Rushmore.
Stuart

Psalm 147

It took me about 2 minutes to read this psalm of praise. There I times when I feel all alone. When it seems like everyone around me is either ignoring me or attacking me. I'm quite sure I'm not the only person to feel that way. It may be safe to assume that everybody feels that way at least ome time in theier life. It is during these times of vulernability that God shows himself as the psalmist describes in verse 6; "He puts the fallen on their feet again" when we are at our weakest that is the time that God chooses to come beside us to offer help. If we accept his help by faith then we will open the door for him to work wonders in our lives.
Stuart

1 Thessalonians

I had the opportunity to read all of Paul's letter today. It took me about 20 minutes. Paul spent a good deal of the beginning of the letter encouraging the believers from the report that Timothy had returned to Paul. Then at the beginning of chapter 4 Paul offers one more word of encouragement; keep living to please God. The Message contrast that kind of life with these words; "..not in a dogged religios plod, but in a living, spirited dance." God has set before all Christians a life defined by his presence. Living in a way that acknowledges his presence and power will become a source of endless joy. When we face difficulties in life, God will be with us to raise our eyes above the troubles. When we loose connection with a loved one through the seperation of miles or death we can know that God will be the one who encourages and comforts us until we find peace. That is a wonderful life.
Stuart

Psalm 146

It only took about a minute to read this psalm.  The psalmist mention a number of God attributes that focus on the needs of those ignored or rejected by society. God's eyes are always focused on the outsider. God takes up the cause of the weak, and those who have lost their familial foundation, whether parents or husbands. God sees the weakness of those who are indeed without strength, and he knows they are the people who are living most dependant upon him. God is their advocate. And it will always be God who advances his plans exactly on his timetable. There has never been a deviation in his plans and there never will be. God is in charge - always.
Stuart

Daniel 10-12

I spent about 13 minutes reading this passage. The message of Daniel's vision is confusing and troubling. Yet what God passes on in 12:113 are the words of greatest importance: be faithful, without concern, and trust in God. There is a reward in store for those who live that way before God. Until God opens our hearts to the meaning of this revelation/riddle we must trust him to be in control of our lives and the future of humanity. Are all of the event Daniel heard about in our past? I don't know. What I do know, by faith, is that the God who revealed these things to Daniel sent his one and only Son to die for the sins of mankind. He is just as trustworthy as he is gracious and forgiving. That is where we need to place our hope.
Stuart

Psalm 145

It took me about 2 minutes to read this psalm. After a quick review I counted 13 attributes of God's nature that David calls out in this psalm. God is:
Magnificent
Awesome
Beautiful
Greatness
Merciful & gracious
Good
Faithful
Merciful
Generous
Righteous
Listening
Active
Persistent
We can use these traits that David recounted to remind us how God is working in our lives. He will always show himself to us in ways that we can understand; the same way that he showed David all these things in his nature.
Stuart

Psalm 144

It took me about 3 minutes to read this psalm. David mentions a number of points that detail God's loving nature. Then he ends the psalm with the fulcrum point of the entire psalm; we will be blessed when the God of Israel is the center of our worship. There are many people in this life whom we are tempted to worship, but all of them will fall from favor or die. There are numerous activities to which we can devote our life's energies, but they will always seek to enslave us. There are a multitude of things that tempt our appitites, but none of them will satisfy us if we are seeking our own satisfaction.  Only a relationship with the God of creation will fulfill all of our desires and enable us to love those people who are special to us. Only God.
Stuart

Daniel 7-9

It took me about 18 minutes to read this passage.  Daniel’s prayer of confession and repentance is very moving to me.  Know that God was moved by that prayer teaches that Daniel’s example of how we should pray is just as true today and it was over 2,000 years ago.  After admitting his own sins and the sins of the leaders Daniel called on God to display his compassion on his people(vss9, 18).    I believe that God is just as compassionate today as he was when Daniel offered up his prayer.  We can be just as confident of God acting in his loving compassion on behalf of his people.

Stuart

Psalm 143

It took me about 3 minutes to read this psalm. David points out one of the attributes of God that distinguishes him from all the false dieties; he answers the request of his people. Idol worshippers pray to the false gods that they set in vain. There is no way that an inanimate object of stone or metal can respond to a personal request. But the living God of Israel; he's in a league all by himself. He can actually hear the words. It doesn't matter what language in which they're spoken because God understands all languages. God sees the attitudes and desires of each heart. It is to those request that are aligned with his will that God give his uniquely wonderful gift; an answer.
Stuart

Daniel 4-6

I spent about 15 minutes in two sittings to read this passage. (My job got in the way of my reading) There are three different kings mentioned in this passage. They share a few things in common: God's handiwork is very evident in their life, God singles out Daniel as his choosen vessel in which to display his handiwork, and they all receive a message about God's position of power and authority.
Stuart

Daniel 1-3

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.  This part of Daniel’s book gives us a sampling of the lives of four young Hebrew captives; Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.  Just by looking at their names we see that their parents honored the God of Israel.  When we examine their early lives it is apparent that their parents succeeded in impressing a reverence and respect of the Lord Almighty on their young minds.  These four young men supported one another as they entered an adventure into the realm of Babylonian language and mysticism.  In spite of the attempts to indoctrinate them they would not surrender their commitment to God’s covenant.  Though they had no control over the circumstances they did have control how they reacted to their plight.  When they were removed from their inheritance they resolved to be true to God.  When they were taken from the place of God’s temple they made their lives a reflection of his law for God’s glory.  In chapter 1 verse 8 Daniel recognized that the food they were being served was not acceptable to God.  So he refused to eat it.  The four didn’t need to seek God’s guidance; they knew God’s standards for food.  Within the kings provisions they found the answer to their dilemma was to eat only the vegetables the king provided.  After a test to show God faithful to their steward they lived in obedience to God first.  Chapter 3 is another example of their resolve to honor God first.  They knew the first and second commandments, and to honor the king by worshiping an image he created was to dishonor God.  They didn’t have to pray for God to guide them on this topic.  He nature had not changed.

I see this lesson for Christians today: We don’t need to seek God’s guidance on topics that he has already made very clear in his word.

Stuart

Psalm 142

It only took me 1 minute to read this psalm. David wrote how God's omniscience reveals the truth about our individual lives. Just as God knows all the details of our thoughts he also understands the smallest part of our circumstances.  Because of this knowlegde we can go to him with the expectation that he also knows the best way to deal with our difficulties. And we can be sure that when we put our trust in him God will guide us through the painful maze of life's ugly situations. What response does he want from us when he had helped us through a path of pain or suffering? That we publicly give him thanks for his power and salvation.
Stuart

John 19-21

It took me over 15 minutes to read the end of John's gospel. Pilate faced a terrible choice; convict an innocent man to death or risk the Jews starting a revolt. Surely he had the troops on alert, ready for anything that the Jews might attempt. But their rabbid hatred toward Jesus must have been unsettleing. Surely Pilate wanted to find some justification for sentencing Jesus to death, but Jesus would offer nothing that Pilate could use to support such a wrong choice. In the end Pilate made the more politically correct choice; at least fromhis perspective.
Stuart

Psalm 141

It took me about 2 minutes to read this psalm. David looks to God alone for his guidance; that is what he says in verse 5. It is God's justice that will lead us correctly, not the sweet talking lies of the ones who hates God and us. David sought to avoid their influence. Instead he sought out the godly; anyone whom God would bring in his path and help him on his chase after God.
Stuart

Psalm 140

It took me about 2 minutes to read this psalm. There is no note of the circumstances David faced when he composed this psalm. But from his prespective he was facing a number of detractors. They were attacking his character and pushing an evil agenda. This type of attack may have been more difficult then facing Goliath. It's possible that these "enemies" were fellow Israelites; members of his family. As was his trademark behavior many times before he deferred judgement to God. We need to remember to do the same.
Stuart

John 16-18

It took me about 18 minutes to read this passage in two sittings.  In chapter 16 Jesus was explaining to those close followers that very soon they would have a time of great grief followed by a time of great joy.  This all centered around him leaving them for a while then after a while being back with them.  The record of the time between Jesus’ arrest and resurrection prove that they did experience great sorrow followed by great joy.  In verses 21 and 22 Jesus compares the time the disciples were about the experience with the time of birth of a baby.  A time of intense pain and then while the pain is still fresh a wonderful time of joy for the new life that is being revealed.  I wonder if God’s curse on women to “multiply the pain of childbirth” (Genesis 3:16) was intended to lay the foundation for this speech that Jesus gave to his followers?  I don’t think that is beyond God’s plan.

Stuart

Psalm 139

It took me about 3 minutes to read this psalm. In the last two verses David lays out a request to God. It's not a challenge because he has already acknowlegded God omniscience. His request is an open invitation to allow God to open his heart for examination so that God would make him right. Then with a right attitude and motive David would be able to follow God's lead in his life.  It is interesting that David received the same call as we Christians have; to die to self daily.
Stuart

John 13-15

It took me around 15 minutes to read this passage.  In John 14:6 Jesus describes himself with three words pictures; the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Trying to understand how his nature is portrayed in each and all of these pictures is difficult.  The Way is probably the easiest to define.  In the western states there is a lot of open range.  This is where herds of cattle are allowed to roam as they will searching for food and water.  Though the animal in the lead  might be followed by hundreds there is no set course for the herd to follow.  They all move where the leading animal moves.  But intersecting the open range at various intervals are road, read Ways.  These roads have been intentionally laid out for various purposes.  It was along these roads that the road builders put landmarks, supply stops, and settlements.  The roads are normally smoother than the range, though not necessarily flat.  When Jesus claimed he was THE Way he was also indicating that the road he has built was the only road in the entire range.  It was along his road that markers have been set.  These markers provide information, guidance, and assurance for those who are travelling on the road.  Jesus built supply stops on his road; the range will provide food for the herds, but there are not charted or planned.  The food is only where the seed fell.  And it’s on the road where the settlements are, I see these as the church.  The people seeking the road builder live on the road, and they help out others who are travelling the road.  When Jesus calls himself the Way he describes an intentional action of guidance and provision.

Stuart

Psalm 138

It took me a little over 1 minute to read this psalm. David could not adequately express his thanks to God. Even if he offered his entire body that would not be enough. When we recognize the sacrifice and effort that someone else invests in us we naturally react by seeking to give back; in equal effort toward the investor OR with equal zeal toward the same goal to which they originally directed us. A child who is grateful for his parents direction toward school will direct high levels of effort into excelling at school. That is an expression of gratitude to the parents. A Christian will sacrifice to develop the ministry in which God has planted them. Even if the end result is not witnessed in their lifetime the goal will always be pursued.
Stuart

John 10-12

It took me about 18 minutes to read this passage.  I have always marveled at the way the Jewish leaders looked at Lazarus after Jesus raised him from the dead.  John mentioned in 12: 10-11 that the people were flocking to see Jesus and Lazarus.  The leaders were so overwhelmed by their loss of control over the people that they began to plot Lazarus’ death as well as Jesus’.  Why wouldn’t they acknowledge that God was at work in Jesus in such a powerful way that he could raise the dead.  Lazarus wasn’t the only person whom Jesus brought back to life, but the news of this resurrection spread quickly, close to Jerusalem, and about the time when worshipers where coming for Passover.  The leaders would have a lot of explaining to do.  If God wanted Lazarus alive how did they think that they would be able to kill him?

Stuart

Psalm 137

It only took a minute to read this psalm. This is a song written in captivity. A song that speaks of the difficult circumstances where the believer found himself; taken violently away from his home and mockingly asked to sing the songs that he learned growing up. Those song bring no joy only the reminder that he is far away from the inheritence God had promised Abraham's children. Many Christians today could view their circumstances the same as tha exiled Jew. We see a sin-broke world that seeks to steal our joy. A society that mock our songs of hope; calling them the words of a foolish group of empty headed dreamers. We can faun for the past or live for the future. I believe that God wants us to live out our hope in God regardless of the circumstances.
Stuart

John 7-9

It took me 17 minutes to read this passage. In verse 15 of chapter 7 the Jewish leaders asked a very important question that Jesus didn't bother to answer. The question was asked because of the way Jesus taught; with the understanding of someone with years of scriptural study in his life. But Jesus was far too young and was known not to be a former student of any great teacher. There are two possible answers to the question; he is a prophet or he is Messiah. Neither of these answers would satisfy the Jewish leaders. My question is; why didn't Jesus answer the question? Or did he answer it?
Stuart

Psalm 136

It took me about 3 minutes to read this psalm. There are two messages about the greatness of the God of Israel, who is also the God of all Christians; God is awesome and powerful beyond description. He has always poured out his unstopable power for the benefit of his covenant people. The other lesson was repeated 26 times in this psalm; God's love never quits! When we grow impatient with other people God's love won't have reached its end with them or us. That fact that his love has never encountered a circumstance that has forced him to withdraw shoul be a great source of courage for us. Even though we fail God He has chosen to never fail us. For that I give him thanks.
Stuart

John 4-6

It took me 23 minutes to read this passage.  In verses 46-54 of chapter 4 John tells the story of an encounter Jesus had with a man from Capernaum while in the town of Cana.  This official had sought out Jesus in Cana to implore the Lord to come back with him and heal his son.  I imagine the situation in the house in Capernaum at the time.  The man’s wife was hovering near the son.  Changing the damp clothes, seeking to ease the raging fever.  But there was no way to quiet the cough or ease the pain in her son’s body.  Surely she had seen these symptoms before; in a sibling or another child.  The thought of the loss of another to the unseen enemy of this sickness brought tears streaming down her face.  Was there no one able to stop his suffering except death?  Had she given up on the author of life as she helplessly watched her son slipping away toward the end of this life?  Maybe she stepped outside of the house to pray and soak the clothes in the water pot.  But about 1 in the afternoon the inside of the house became deathly quiet.  The coughing which had been nearly constant; stopped.  Her heart stopped.  The woman ran inside the house with a lump in her throat the size of her fist and growing.  As she dashed into the sick room she was startled to see her son sitting up in bed.  The glazed eyes were clear, and the sweat on his forehead had evaporated.  It was his hoarse but now strong voice that broke the silence; “Mother.  I’m thirsty.  Do you have any water?”  I wonder which did she did first; burst out in tears of joy, shouted thanksgiving to the God who truly sees, hurtle herself on her son and hug him, or fetch that water for the thirsty young man?  I wonder how long it was before sending the servant to Cana in search of her husband with the news that her son, their son, was healed?

Stuart

John 1-3

It took me about 15 minutes to read this introduction to John's Gospel. As I read the beginning of chapter 2 I tried to visualize how long the narative would take to complete. There are a few unknows that John doesn't tell us:
How many servants were at Jesus' disposal?
How big were the jars they used to fill the water pots?
How far of a walk was the nearest well?
How long would it take to fill each jar at the well?
With six servants, carrying 5 gallon jars, that might be 1/2 a mile away, where it would take 5 minutes to fill each water jar, how long would it take for six servants to fill six 25 gallon water pots when each servant is walking at 3 mph?  I calculate that it would take 2 hours and 10 minutes. This was not nearly as quick as a quick reading would imply. It also means that the servants trusted Jesus explicitly. Then after 2 hours of walking one of the servants drew a pitcher full of "water" from one of the jars. I wonder when he noticed the color and smell were not that of water? I wonder if God waited until all the jugs were full to make the transformation? I wonder what the servants talked about as they passed each other to and from the well? I wonder what expression was on the face of the servant who drew the "water" to take it to the banquet master? I wonder how long it took the servants to tell John what had happened?
Isn't God amazing?
Stuart

Psalm 135

It took me about 2 minutes to read this psalm; a song that focuses on the wonder and authority of God Almighty. There is indeed no one like him. In verse 6 the psalmist points out that God does exactly what he wants; however, wherever, and whenever he wants. Yet even in his exercise of supremecy that which God accomplishes at his will is also the very things and actions the we, his people, need accomplished. If God sends rain; it's what we need. If God witholds the rain; it's what we need. If God vanquishes attacking rulers; it's what we need. If God send calamity upon our nations; it's what we need. When God gives us rest; it's what we need. These are many of the same lessons that God taught Israel's father and his sons. We need to learn that lesson too.
Stuart

Ezekiel 46-48

It took me about 12 minutes to reads the last three chapter of Ezekiel's writings. In chapter 46 God showed his prophet-in-exile the operation of the new temple. He described the type and frequency of sacrificed. In verses 13-15 God described the daily sacrifices; one lamb, some grain, and oil on the grain. God says that everyday these three are to be burnt; a regular offering. As we look back we know that they were receiving a daily reminder of Jesus sacrifice. That was what is need everyday in order to bring us into God's presence. We know that as Christians we are to take up our cross daily. Every morning we are to commit to the task of dying to self and living for Jesus through out that day.
Stuart

Ezekiel 43-45

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.  How do we respond when we catch a glimpse of God?  Twice in this vision Ezekiel saw the glory of God and fell down before him in reverence.  (in 44:5 God’s words seemed sharp, but that may just be a translation issue)  Ezekiel was filled with fear and awe because of God’s glory.  I don’t believe that I have witnessed the shekinah of God’s presence, but I know that I have seen the active and completed work of his hand.  Some of these times I have been like Ezekiel; in total awe of what God is doing.  At other times I have been amazed at the beauty of his work.  And I know that there are other times when I noticed God’s work, but paid no attention and kept walking by.  Sometimes when I ignored him God reminded me later.  I would like to avoid such oblivion in the future.  God is truly great and deserves all of my attention and worship.

Stuart

Psalms 133 & 134

It took me less than 2 minutes to read these two very short psalms. Yet the messages is both run long and deep. In psalm 133 David speaks of the blessings, the glory to God when the body of believers are in peaceful unity. It is in unity where God pronounses his blessing on his people. Unity is proof of God's offer of eternal life.
When singing psalm 134 those pilgrams on their way to Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice would be praising God.  As they ate of the meal of the sacrifice they would receive a physical blessing from God.  They would also be reminded of the promised one who was coming to set them free.
Stuart

Psalm 132

I spent about 2 minutes reading and ondering this psalm. According to the heading this is a song of joy and recognition that the travelers sang on their way to Jerusalem. Joy for who God is and what he had done to display his greatness. Recognition of God as the true source of life everlasting. This is to be the daily focus of our lives. Every step a Christian takes is another step on the road to the new Zion. We need to continually recognize what God has done and express our thanks for the works of providence in our lives.
Stuart

Ezekiel 39-42

It took me about 16 minutes to read this passage.  Have you ever had a dream that was as detailed as the one Ezekiel recorded?  I wonder if Joseph’s dream before Jesus’ birth was like this dream.  Ezekiel had this dream when he was in his mid-fifties.  He had received a number of revelations and visions during his time in exile.  I wonder what he considered as the vision continued.  The dream didn’t end in chapter 42; there is more.  God moved Ezekiel to record the details of this dream.  The measurements of the temple may have meant a lot to Ezekiel and his fellow priests but to me, and maybe many other modern readers, they appear to be details that serve to cloud God’s message.  I think one thing that God conveys in this vision is his attention to detail.  And if he is that concerned about the thickness of the walls and the number of vestibules the we can rest assured that he is concerned with every move that his people make and every difficulty that we face.

Stuart

Psalms 130 & 131

It took me about 2 minutes to read both of these psalms. In 130:4 the Message translates the pslamist"s words about God like this; "As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you are worshipped." The God of the ancient Hebrews was not a unknown vengeful only God. He sought to reveal himself to his people and continually communicated that he forgave them. This is the same God who put on flesh in order to die so that the eternal fine of sin could be revoked for all who place their trust in Jesus. What other recorded god in all of history was ever so benevolent? Only the God of all love.
Stuart

Ezekiel 35-38

It took me nearly 20 minutes to read through this passage.  God sent Israel into captivity because of their rejection of him.  But God had made promises to Abraham; to give the land of his wandering as an inheritance to the children of Abraham, and to bless all the peoples of the earth through Abraham’s seed.  In order to fulfill his word to Abraham God promised to bring Israel back to their inheritance.  He repeats his promise again in 36:22-23 and 36:32.  God worked with Israel in spite of their disobedience to him.  But God has always been, and will always be true to his word.  When he makes a promise he fulfills his word.  It is seldom in our timing, but it is always when his timing is right.  As Christians we can be confident of his promises to his people of faith;

Forgiveness of sins

Redemption from death

His Spirit living within us

Jesus’ sure return.

Stuart

Psalms 127, 128, & 129

It took me about 3 minutes to read the three psalms. Psalms 127 sums up one of the lessons that Henry Blackabee teaches in "Experiencing God." We need to find out where God is working, and when he invites us we need to join in. When we work on the things that only God can do then he will receive the praise and honor, and we will experience being conduits for God's providential or miraculous work. Psalm 129 ends with the words that should flow off of our lips, "We bless you in the name of the Lord."
Stuart

Ezekiel 31-34

It took me about 21 minutes to read this passage.  More bad news.  I wonder if Ezekiel ever prayed that God would bring him good news to deliver to his people?  If he did then God answered his prayer in 33:11.  “I find no delight from the death of the wicked…”  God is not like us.  Too often we wish and hope that the wicked would die in their wickedness.  But God loves them too much to allow that to happen.  He sends Good News to people everywhere regardless of their obedience to him.   God made us to obey him as the source of true life.  In 33:16 Ezekiel records those words from God; obey me and live.

Stuart

Psalms 125 & 126

It took about 2 minutes for me to read these two psalms. I have had the privledge of seening lessons about God's nature in God's creation. The psalmist who penned 125 had a similar insight. He looked at the mountains of Jerusalem and saw in them the continual presence and dependability of God himself. There was no worship of the mountains; rather a picture of a part of God's nature. Then he noticed the mountains that surround the city of Zion. So has God surrounded the city where God chose to have his name dwell. Those mountains where silent defenders of Jerusalem just as God was ever vigilent of that city. God is the same way today a sure foundation and sentinel around his church.
Stuart

Ezekiel 27-30

I needed three sittings over the day and an accumulation of 20 minutes to read this passage. In some ways I find it comforting to know that the nations in Ezekiel's days were filled with nationallistic arrogance. I find comfort in that news because it means that people have not changed much in 2,700 years. So not only were God's revelations fitting to people in those days, but they carry an equal message to the people of the world today. We live in a time with technology that would amaze Ezekiel and his peers, but the nature is just as corrupt with sin today as it was then. That means Jesus' redemptive work is equal in power today as it was in the first century.
Stuart