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Ezra and Nehemiah
Week 11 Sparked
Day 1
Reading - Ezra 1:1-2 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying: "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, 'The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. NASU
Thought - It only takes a spark to start a fire and what a fire was started by God inspiring the king’s mind. What is it that starts an idea, where do they come from? Why would the king of Persia (Iran) attribute this idea as coming from the God of heaven? What if knowledge has a source and our responsibility is simply acting on it? What if acting on knowledge given for good or ill determines whether more will be given, for ideas can create or destroy, produce life or death? What if acting for good on an idea gives birth to righteousness in people and things? What if the light of God’s word shines on all men and our responsibility is to steward it? Is an idea a word that needs to become flesh? May the Lord inspire your mind this week giving you the ability to fire others for God and good.
Prayer Come Holy Spirit, Heavenly dove, with all God's life-giving powers, Kindle a flame of sacred love in these cold hearts of ours. Amen
God’s hand
Day 2
Reading - Ezra 7:6; 10 This Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all he requested because the hand of the Lord his God was upon him. NASU For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. NASU
Thought Ezra achieved all we read of him in this book because, “The hand of the Lord was on him.” Through the Bible we read that God’s hand enables Elijah to run faster than a chariot, a musician to play and prophesy, Christians to found a church in Antioch, people to be healed, children blessed, Peter to be rescued from drowning and the whole world is held
in it. Ezra brings a nation hundreds of miles back to their land re-establishes them in it and reconnects them with their God by that hand. It is God’s hand which will enable you to do life and serve Him no matter what the tasks. It is that same hand which will guide you in all the circumstances of life and protect you from all evil. And never forget when you belong to Him, can anyone take you out of His hand?
Prayer
- Lord let your hand be upon me and in my circumstances this week. Guide me, strengthen me, keep me and empower me to live for you and to respond to your touch. May all that my hand finds to do be done in such a way that it models your hand? Amen
Grace space
Day 3
Reading Ezra 9:8 And now for a little space grace hath been showed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. KJV
Thought Ezra 9:8 Israel were given an interval of freedom back in their own land. Grace was shown by God disposing the Kings heart to publish laws in their favour. Only a few of the people returned. The ten northern tribes lost in captivity; a great part even of Judah and Benjamin had stayed in Persia: so Ezra says, there was only a remnant which had escaped. In the Old Testament, “The remnant,” is a term used for the faithful few in Israel who stayed loyal to God. A nail in his holy place is a literal translation and means they were able to safely set up home. Poetically to lighten our eyes is to give a thorough knowledge of ourselves, our best interest, and to worship God; the reason why God has brought them back to their Land. Because of their idolatry and sin they were taken captive but God in his great mercy has given a new opportunity (revived); and he begins with little, to see if they will make a wise and faithful use of it. Beautiful words and so true.
Prayer -
Heavenly Father I pray today for a little space where I might find your grace coming into my life and circumstances. May I be able to place a nail of your security into the place where I work so people who have no confidence may find it? Let there be a lightening of the eyes around me and a little reviving amid the busyness of life. Amen
Lord Help Me
Day 4
Reading
Nehemiah 2:4-6 Then the king said to me, "What would you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. I said to the king, "If it please the king, and if your servant has found favour before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it." NASU
Thought - Nehemiah 2:4 He is very nervous about answering the king so he first prays to God, that his request might be acceptable and not misunderstood. To those who learn to pray every place is a praying place, every moment a praying moment. Try to be conscious
this week of praying briefly before speaking, making decisions or actions. What difference do you think the “Lord help me,” prayer might make?
Prayer -
I desire to learn to live with you present and not forgotten, Lord help me. I want to remember in the middle of pressure there is time to pray, Lord help me. When I am on the phone in a difficult moment, Lord help me. When I have to take a stand or eyes are turned on me, Lord help me. Amen
Multiple Choice
Day 5
Reading Nehemiah 4:16-17 And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each laboured on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. ESV
Thought - Multitasking is not new, here because of the danger from enemies; Israelis had to build with tools in one hand and weapon in the other. It was a slow and frustrating process but they were determined to secure the city above personal preference. How often do we feel we are kept from doing the task or ministry of our choice by having to do other things at the same time? These words remind us no matter how important the task or gift we have, working for the good of others perhaps in our second choice world, will go hand in hand with our own service.
Prayer Lord daily both of my hands are full of the work I do and the responsibilities I carry. The idea of carrying you in one hand and my life in the other seems like a big task but I pray that you will help me make every moment a praying moment so you may be in my heart as my hands are full of life. I pray also that I may carry others as well as myself in my mind and actions that everything I do may not be just about me. Amen
Priorities
Day 6
Reading Nehemiah 6:3-4 And I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?" ESV
Thought - How easy it is to be distracted from the important things in our lives, how pressing other peoples needs can seem. There are times when friends, family, self, God must have the focus of our attention and all else must be put to one side. In the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall there were many who had a vested interest in Israel’s failure. When the Lord tells us He is with us He really means it even when enemies seem to harass our attempts to live for God, do our jobs honourably or care for our families. Do not be distracted from what you know to be good; in trying to follow and serve the Lord, you are doing a great work. What is it that you must not stop doing?
Prayer
- Lord help me get my priorities right. Some seem to find it easier than I do to discover what is right or wrong in any given situation. Help me to discern all my
responsibilities and where to determine, “this is what I ought to be doing.” The Apostle Paul wrote, “This one thing I do…..” Let it be for me. Amen
Stay Giving
DAY 7
Reading - Nehemiah 10:39 For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God." ESV
Thought - Nehemiah 10:39 Who are those who do not neglect the house of their God? Those who persevere in the faith; who continue to grow in grace; who keep a servant spirit ; who bear fruit in their lives; who love the gathering of the church in worship and who take care that their offerings in the house of God are given, providing for those who serve in the word and all ministry. Let the people of God not neglect the household of God.
Prayer -
Lord let me pay attention to serving you and playing my part in the life of my Church. It is so easy to find fault, to criticise and have unrealistic expectations of my fellow Christians. And every time I do I find it difficult to give. Lord I am determined to grow a generous spirit, one where I think the best of others, where I jump to the best conclusions and where I think the best of even the worst. Thank you for my Church and all my fellow believers you have place around me. I bring my gifts and do not with hold them. Amen