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Today us Tuesday June 2, 2009 and we are beginning our studies on the book of Ezra. Please read chapters 1-2 in your Bible or Click Here to read them.
https://www.allonlinebible.com/Ezra/1,1-2,last/1.html

Today's Message: Waiting on God's Promises
God's promises always come to pass exactly as He says. He knows when and how to meet our needs, our task is to wait on the Lord.

The book of Ezra is the fifteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains ten chapters. The author of the book is Ezra the prophet and it was originally written to the Israelites. The purpose of the book was to record the Israelites return from exile, after Jerusalem had been destroyed, to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. What we are to learn from the book is the basic principles of repentance, returning to God and restoring our relationship with Him.

Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, the Israelites were forced to live in captivity in Babylon for seventy years, due to their sins. "And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations." (Jeremiah 25:11-12). About 200 years before the time of Ezra, Isaiah prophesied that Babylon would be overthrown by a man named Cyrus and that he would rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.................I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts." (Issiah 44:28,45:13). These prophecies reassured the Israelites that, following the judgment foretold by Jeremiah, God would restore them once again to the promised land.

King Cyrus, of Persia made a proclamation throughout all of Persia to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. "Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. " (Ezra 1:1-3). There are times when God will call us to do things that may be a little bit uncomfortable to us, but He is always with us guiding us to do exactly what He needs us to do, when the time is right.

Most of the new generation of Judah had never been in Jerusalem so the only reason they would even leave Babylon would be to rebuild the Temple in the old, ruined city of Jerusalem, which was about 900 miles away. There were only a few willing to endure the long four month journey on foot, but they knew that they were going back
to the place where they could restore true worship of God. "Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;" (Ezra 1:5-7). Unlike their ancestors, who traveled from Egypt to the promised land, there was no pillar of fire by night or a cloud by day to guide them and no manna fell from the heaven, but there is not one complaint recorded about their journey.

God promises to give us everything that we need and even the things that we desire, but He never said that we could receive them instantly. Some times we do get an answer quickly, but more often He is preparing us and growing us to fulfill a purpose and when all things come to pass we will receive what we sensibly desire. When we recognize that God controls everything that affects our lives, we can truly enjoy His peace, while fulfilling His purpose, regardless of the circumstances, for God works all things together for good to all who love Him. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28).

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Though I am called to go through many hardships, there isn’t one that I face alone. For in my weakness You are made strong, in my folly You are the God of infinite wisdom, and in my fear I take hold of the hope You offer to me which is firm and secure. You will not abandon the work of Your hands but fulfill Your purpose for me as You strengthen, sustain, and instruct me during times of testing. I do not want to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. In Jesus' Name..........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night.
God Bless,
Christina

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