Tag: God’s Kingdom

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The Way It Is Supposed to Be

Daily Reading

Exodus 28-29

Daily Thought

“So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord” (Exodus 28:29). The Hebrew high priest sacrificed daily offerings to God, a routine reminder of the way it is supposed to be.  

We become accustomed to the way things are.

In the movie Grand Canyon, a car breaks down in a bad part of town, and five hoods threaten a tow-truck driver doing his job. “Man,” says the driver, “the world ain’t supposed to work like this. Maybe you don’t know that, but this ain’t the way it’s supposed to be. I’m supposed to be able to do my job without askin’ you if I can. And that dude is supposed to be able to wait with his car without you rippin’ him off. Everything’s supposed to be different than what it is here.”

The work of the priests presents the difference, “And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty” (Exodus 28:2). For glory and for beauty, the way it is supposed to be, the way it was in Eden, the way it will be in the “kingdom come, your will be done” (Matthew 6:10). This is the call of the Christian in this world, to be “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1Peter 2:9). To follow Jesus is to be a marvelous light, a reminder that this life is not the way it’s supposed to be, a beacon displaying something better, something good, something glorious and beautiful, that “they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God” (Exodus 29:46). 

Daily Prayer

My God, my Father in heaven, Creator of all that is, what a wonderful world. The world you created; not the part my sin has spoiled. Deep inside me is buried the memory of eternity. Thank you for uncovering it. Thank you for sending your Son to show what was, what is, and what is to come. You are God, the beginning and the end. Sin is messing with the middle, but you sent a Savior.  

God, made in your image, I shall reflect your glory. Forgive me, because I fall short. Teach me to walk in your ways, so others will see the way to You. Change me, dress me up, make me holy for your glory, displaying your beauty, your handiwork, proclaiming your excellencies, reminding the world that this is not what it is supposed to be, pointing the world to your kingdom come.

Amen

Daily Question

What are some ways you see God’s Kingdom displayed here on earth?

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This Means War

Daily Reading

Numbers 3-4

Daily Thought

“From thirty years old up to fifty years old, you shall list them, all who can come to do duty, to do service in the tent of meeting” (Numbers 4:23). In the Hebrew, “to do the duty” literally reads “to war the warfare.” It is repeated several times in Numbers, chapter 4, verses 3, 30, 35, 39, and 43; and again in chapter 8, verse 24–this to describe the people who prepare the tabernacle and set the table for the sacrifices. To war the warfare–now that has punch to it.

The work of God, no matter what, will never be rightly done until we understand that, whatever else it might be, it is also warfare. Whether it is serving orphans and the poor, or serving cookies and coffee, we must elevate the estimate of our duties and our service. It is warfare. We live in neither a Christian nation nor a godly world, rather we have aligned ourselves to serve another King of Kings. We are allies of the One who strives to remove the misery of sin against a world that clings to its passions. 

It is warfare, and the world will resist. It is a fight, and will always be so, if it is rightly done. The battle is waged, however, not by killing, but by dying, when we ourselves die to ourselves and our King becomes our life. We no longer belong to this world, but to a new creation, God’s Kingdom come, his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Daily Prayer

Our Father, You are our God and we are Your people. The family of God, brought together by the sacrifice of Your Son, receiving full inheritance of Your great and glorious treasures. Thank You, God.

By our love for one another, we show that we are Your disciples. May I be someone who looks out for the interests of others, who is quick to serve, who seeks out and fills needs. May I be someone who loves in action as well as word.  May I fight the good fight by serving others, giving my life fully to You. May I stand for Your grace and truth.

Amen

Daily Question

Do you feel more at war or at peace with this world?

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The Message for a Divided Nation

Daily Reading

Ezekiel 37-39

Daily Thought

Ezekiel is a prophet, and, in one sense, a prophet of doom, Israel’s doom. The united nation of Israel became divided under the poor leadership following the successful reign of Solomon. Godly leadership is essential, Israel was found lacking, and the nation split and would fall, first Israel to the north, and now, at the time of Ezekiel, Judah in the south. God, nevertheless, remains One and true, and in him must be our allegiance and trust. Israel will someday learn again God is not done with them.

Ezekiel has a vision of the future restoration of Israel. They died in judgment, but God will breathe new life into their old dry bones, “Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live” (Ezekiel 37:9). Three thousand years have passed and on Friday, May 14, 1948, the Israeli Declaration of Independence announced that the State of Israel has been formally established on land where, in antiquity, the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah had once been. The nation of Israel is still on the map.

This, however, is not the final chapter. Ezekiel sees another vision of the evil king Gog, born in the land of Magog, ruler over Meshach and Tubal, who will lead an army from the four corners of the earth against Israel (Ezekiel 38:1-6). Gog represents all of Israel’s enemies attempting to crush God’s people; but God is greater than Gog, “On that day, the day that Gog shall come against the land of Israel, declares the Lord God, my wrath will be roused in my anger. I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 38:18, 23).

The lesson of history is to trust not in any one nation, but in the one Name, “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). The prophet of God is not foremost one of doom, but always one of hope. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). If it is not good yet, God is not done yet.

“And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.” ~Ezekiel 39:7

Daily Prayer

My God, You are the giver of life, both the first time, and then again. You bring us out of the grave, for we are to You the aroma of Christ, the fragrance of life. We have His righteousness.

Thank You for breathing life back in me through Your Holy Spirit. This second time, You are in control, You are on the throne, You are my Lord and Savior. I live my life now in Christ for Your glory and pleasure, taking off the grave clothes and clothing myself in Your love and holiness.

Amen

Daily Question

Which has a greater impact on your life, your citizenship to your country or your citizenship in God’s Kingdom?

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Thy Kingdom Come

Daily Reading

Daniel 7-9

Daily Thought

Daniel, the interpreter of dreams, had his own, and they are terrifying. The latter half of the book of Daniel is filled with wild visions of future events. The course of history is contained in dismaying images of kingdoms, the first “like a lion and had eagles’ wings” (Daniel 7:4); the second, “like a bear, raised up on one side, it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth” (Daniel 7:5); next, “like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back, and the beast had four heads” (Daniel 7:6); and, finally, “a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet” (Daniel 7:7). Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, we know their names. But there is another.

“Behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him. ~Daniel 7:13

A keen awareness of sin accompanies Daniel’s vision of a righteous King, and he makes no excuses, “we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled” (Daniel 9:5). God hates sin, but loves repentance more, and grace the most, and Daniel appeals to God’s mercy, “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name” (Daniel 9:19). This is the call to another kingdom and a righteous king. There is a future for Israel and all called by the name of God,

And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.” ~Daniel 7:14

Empires will rise, and all will fall, except one, one that rises not from the dust of earth, but comes down from the heavens.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. ~1Timothy 1:15-17

Daily Prayer

God, full of righteousness and grace, justice and mercy. It is a wonder that I can approach You. It’s wonderful that You listen. My life does not warrant Your attention, but through the goodness of Your Son and the righteousness He gives me through His death, I can speak with You. I can even speak confidently. I have Your promises, written in Your Word, and I trust You completely.

So, God, I bring You praise, and I also bring the needs and concerns that surround me. I lay them at Your feet, and I pray in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Your will be done.

Amen