June 11, 2006 - Ezra 1-2 and John 19:23-42
God has a plan for everything. He is never unprepared. He has a plan for the universe, and He has a plan for your life. God is working His plan, and He is waiting to see if you will follow His plan or try to carry out your own plan. His plan always works correctly, but your plan never works right unless you are following His plan. Think about these things as we read these passages today.
Ezra 1 and 2 tell us about God's plan to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem after the Exile in Babylon. God knew exactly how to end the Exile. He commanded the pagan king of Persia to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, and he obeyed. (1:2) God knew He would obey Him that is why He put him on the throne at that time. Then, He moved His people to return. (1:5) He did not force them, either. Those who freely chose to return and to give to the work did so. (1:6) Those who wanted to follow God's plan did, and the rest stayed behind in Babylon. Are you in Babylon or in the Promised Land? Are you trying to make your plan work, or are you following God's plan today? Think of how excited all of these people must have been to have a chance to get back to their home place and do God's will. I hope we have the same excitement and expectation in our lives.
In John 19 we see God's plan for redemption. Jesus died for the sins of the world. He paid the price and finished the work. (v.30) Now, the question is," Will you accept God's plan for salvation, or will you try to do it your way?" John gave us an eyewitness account. (v.35) That is what happened there at the Cross, but will you accept Jesus as Lord? That is the only plan of God for having sins forgiven and receiving eternal life. We need to tell everyone God's plan, because it shows God's great love for all of us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 3-5 and John 20.
Ezra 1 and 2 tell us about God's plan to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem after the Exile in Babylon. God knew exactly how to end the Exile. He commanded the pagan king of Persia to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, and he obeyed. (1:2) God knew He would obey Him that is why He put him on the throne at that time. Then, He moved His people to return. (1:5) He did not force them, either. Those who freely chose to return and to give to the work did so. (1:6) Those who wanted to follow God's plan did, and the rest stayed behind in Babylon. Are you in Babylon or in the Promised Land? Are you trying to make your plan work, or are you following God's plan today? Think of how excited all of these people must have been to have a chance to get back to their home place and do God's will. I hope we have the same excitement and expectation in our lives.
In John 19 we see God's plan for redemption. Jesus died for the sins of the world. He paid the price and finished the work. (v.30) Now, the question is," Will you accept God's plan for salvation, or will you try to do it your way?" John gave us an eyewitness account. (v.35) That is what happened there at the Cross, but will you accept Jesus as Lord? That is the only plan of God for having sins forgiven and receiving eternal life. We need to tell everyone God's plan, because it shows God's great love for all of us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 3-5 and John 20.