Sonshine!

The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it. Psalm 118:22-24 (Psalms 78, 107, 116, 118, 125, 126, 128, 132, 147, and 149)

These Psalms are the songs of a restored people, and they used these words to worship in the completed Temple with great hope and celebration. They were new songs! Some very short, repeated over and over, we would call this contemporary worship. The completion of the Temple was symbolic of the restored nation and the joy they felt in the presence of God and their right relationship with Him. Some of the most delightful and powerful words in the Bible’s Hymnbook are found here. Each Psalm/song has a specific emphasis; 78 is a praise for God’s faithfulness to a rebellious nation, 107, the beauty of Israel after their punishment, 116 and 118 are Hallel (praise) Psalms, sung in the celebration of Passover. They would have been the words Jesus sung with His Disciples on the night before His crucifixion. 125 remembers that oppression will end and 126 is full of joy, 128 states the blessedness of righteousness, 132 praises God for the promise of David’s eternal throne, 147 and 149 sings to the power of God and acknowledges that the Creator has Created again.

Imagine Jesus singing the verse above, understanding a rejected capstone much differently that those friends among Him. Yet, He rejoiced in the day the LORD had made, a day of agony for Him, but eternal life for you and me. Folks! That’s big!

I want to draw attention to verses 10 and 11 of Psalm 147. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. God’s delight is different from man’s. We stand proud of our accomplishments, becoming miffed when others don’t recognize our insight, contribution or status. Because we superimpose man’s image onto God rather than the inverse, we get carried away with trivial matters, missing God’s desire and marring His plan. God delights in humble hearts that are obedient, manifested in trust and works.

When I taught young elementary students I would tell them, “Crisscross applesauce, point your nose at my face, or the tip of my pointer, and make sure your belly button is lined up with your nose.” In doing so I can assure their eyes and ears are where I want them, seeing and listening. God wants this for His children too, looking, hearing, learning and following in His ways alone.

Have an Apple Sauce Kind of Day,

Gretchen

This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other. Zechariah 7:9-10 (Zechariah 7-8, Ezra 6:14-22)

Haggai resets Israel’s priorities, Zechariah challenged their motives. God’s Law is to be observed, it is obedience, but God soon reminds these confused people that it isn’t strict adherence to empty ritual that brings righteousness, particularly, the fasting done on certain festivals and celebrations. Drawing closer to God by consciously sacrificing our human appetite, and filling it with worship, because God is the source of Salvation, is the true motive for religious rites. Moral living and dedication to social justice is evidence of sincere worship.

God will bless all of humanity with a gift of the Final Sacrifice, His son Jesus. Build a place of reverence and honor to the One True God, a beacon for a lost and hurting world, but your heart must be set apart, different, Holy and God must find it a suitable place to dwell.

Happy Thursday,

Gretchen

Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to Me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 1:3 (Zechariah 1-6)

In this verse, God refers to Himself as LORD, which is translates, ‘to be actively present’ and sovereign, and Almighty, alone holding all power, creative, constructive and redemptive, in the universe.

Two months after Haggai began his prophecy concerning the priorities of the Israelites, Zechariah sees eight visions concerning assurance for and to an obedient people. 

They are:

• Judah’s prosperity will be restored.
• Oppressors will be punished.
• God will dwell among His people once again.
• The sins of the people will be removed by the One that is called The Branch. (Messianic)
• The Temple will be completed. ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty Zechariah 4:6
• Wickedness will always be punished.
• Wicked nations will be brought to their knees.
• There will be rest and peace in God’s presence.

Zechariah is quoted more than any other prophet by the Gospel writers in their narratives about Jesus’ last days. His words also had a strong influence on John’s Revelation. The visions Zechariah was given were symbolic, but the message was clear; Obedience is the spiritual foundation of our relationship with God. 

Have a great Wednesday,

Gretchen

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” Haggai 1:7 (Haggai 1-2)

Enemies of the One True God thought He would cease to exist when His people were removed from their Promised Land and their culture, God’s Holy Law, was so dispersed it would be impossible to continue. They didn’t know our God!

Haggai was among the older people who had seen the original Temple in all its glorious splendor. As the first stones were relaid in the foundation, they knew the former glory would not be replicated and they were sad. As foes hindered, work came to a complete halt. During this time the Jewish people became distracted with making life happen, forgetting their original fervor for God’s Place of Worship in exchange for personal prosperity.

Enter Haggai with words from God. Crops are failing and people were barely able to exist. They neglected God with a mindset of, I’ll do my part when He does His. Haggai’s message was one of correct priorities and the people hear it with open hearts and ears, accept it as God’s word and heed his instructions. Within four days the rebuilding resumes.

No, the new Temple would not come close to the grandeur of the past, but Haggai receives a Messianic message that the heart of man, not his deeds, is the correct response to God’s Holiness, and there will come a day when God in the flesh will walk among men and within these walls. At this time, nothing on earth will compare to what God has planned and given.

Haggai’s gem of a message will always be relevant to God’s people because he speaks to the matter of priorities. They matter. Make sure yours are in correct order; God first.

Love,

Gretchen

On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated the Passover. Ezra 6:19 (Ezra 4-6)

The exiles have returned and begun to rebuild the Temple. However, there are some distractions and obstacles. In their absence, people from enemy areas resettled the lands of Judah and Israel. These new inhabitants aren’t willing to give up their newly acquired real estate. (These people would later be known as Samaritans.) In addition to this homesteading crisis, the exiles needed time to rebuild homes and plow and harvest crops. Amid these issues, work on the temple was halted for 15 years.

The enemy neighbors wrote a letter of protest to the government of Persia expressing their offense. They asked for all work to stop, but after a deep search of the archives of Babylon, a scroll was found commissioning the Temple reconstruction. Darius, the new leader of Persia, decreed that no one should interfere with the Jewish people upon threat of death. Further more, the Persian treasury would pay for all materials, laborers and sacrifices.

Once work resumed the Temple was completed in four years and The Passover was celebrated. This second Exodus out of bondage gave the remembrance a special, new meaning. What seemed like the end of hope and good fortune actually became a double blessing. What was intended to hinder became a beautiful conduit of restoration.

God is always weaving a miracle with your name on it!

Love,

Gretchen

Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake; some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the Heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:2-3 (Daniel 10-12)

During the restoration God continues to give His people comfort, encouragement and assurance. It is no coincidence that in the same year the foundation of the Temple was laid, Daniel, who is distinguished as a humble seeker of wisdom, receives a vision. God pulls the veil back between Heaven and earth and allows Daniel to see a great war being waged between superhuman beings. Daniel’s visions have been full of symbolism, double meaning and oblique references to the future, but at this time, there is a very strong parallel between Daniel’s prediction and the subsequent future.

The superhuman intelligences in Daniel’s vision are battling for power over mankind, good verses bad. God showed Daniel what goes on far beyond man’s comprehension. There are spirits protecting us and spirits bent on our destruction, but God has full knowledge of His universe and the power to decide the outcome.

While Daniel was overwhelmed with what he saw, he understood the profound occurrence he was shown; the resurrection of all who walked earth. The wise will enter into eternal glory, others will find themselves in everlasting shame and contempt. Without a doubt, there is a time when all is final. The only unknown is…….time. Live ready, it’s the wise thing to do.

Love,

Gretchen

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD, “He is good, His love to Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Ezra 3:11 (Ezra 1-3)

The code of conquering for Assyria and Babylon was defeat, deport and scatter. When Cyrus, king of Persia enters Babylon, Daniel tells him of the writing on the wall and shares the fulfilled prophecies of Isaiah. This influenced him to adopt the policy of repatriation.

Chapter 2 is the accounting of leaders, clans, priests, Levites, workmen and Solomon’s servants who chose to leave the lives they built in Babylon and return to Judah. Approximately 50,000 Jews returned. A fraction of what they once were, this nation, cut back to its very roots, began growing a new vitality with an emphasis on purity. The returning tribe of Judah gathered a few extra people from the other tribes along their journey. As a result, the reference to All Israel is made in worship and prayer and the New Testament still speaks of the twelve tribes.

Upon entering Jerusalem, the first order of business was to rebuild the altar according to Mosaic Law, celebrate The Feast of Tabernacles and restore other religious observances. As soon as this had been accomplished, the foundation for the Temple was laid. There were mixed feelings among the elder generation as they remembered what Judah and its magnificent city had once been. But because God is faithful and He always does what He says He will do, the Jews are free to once again become themselves. They are subject to Persia, but culturally/religiously they are being restored in God’s image, complete with a plan of salvation for the entire world, in other words, to bless all nations…….the original purpose of God’s covenant people.

Don’t ever underestimate the power of God’s renewal! His love endures forever! It is the most powerful force in the universe!

Love,

Gretchen 

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10 (Daniel 6)

God’s Holiness and a king’s ego crossed paths and a righteous man was caught in the middle. Even though Babylon changed regents and Daniel has foretold of its end, he still holds a very powerful and authoritative place in government. He is known for his integrity and this apparently offends some colleagues with a more personal agenda. These men flatter King Darius by suggesting there be a period of thirty days praise and worship to himself alone. Anyone breaking this decree will suffer death. Darius took the bait and Daniel’s fate seemed sealed.

Knowing the peril he faced, Daniel did the same thing he did every other day of his life. He turned to God in prayer.  In an upstairs window, facing the earthly representation of God’s everlasting presence, Jerusalem, Daniel revealed his true character. Jerusalem was in ruins, but God said it would stand again. This One True God would either save him or take him into His loving arms, but Daniel would not pray to the king. Strength would be needed to face the uncertain future, so from his knees he gathered his courage.

King Darius reluctantly placed Daniel in the lion’s den. After a sleepless night he found a well rested servant, for an angel had once again visited this brave and steadfast man and spared his life. However, the connivery of Daniel’s enemies cost them and the lives of their families. They all died. 

Circumstance didn’t determine Daniel’s actions. Compromise was never a viable option. Trust in God’s ways, without understanding. Works every time! And on this day, remember, amazing things happened on the ‘dark’ side of a stone………

Love,

Gretchen

Give ear, O God, and hear, open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name. We do not make request of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy.Daniel 9:18 (Daniel 9)

As Babylon falls, Daniel reads Jeremiah’s prophecies and does the math. He realizes the time of captivity was nearing an end and restoration was nigh. Daniel is fully Hebrew/Jew as he prays a beautiful prayer of corporate and individual contrition.  He acknowledges their sins throughout the history of God’s covenant people and knows this alone brought judgement. Daniel asks for mercy, not because they deserve it after their suffering, but because God is Good.

Here again, scripture seems to confuse more than it answers, but while Daniel was praying Gabriel came with news of Hope. Scholars argue the details, but the big picture is this:  Daniel was able to predict the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the coming of Jesus, the year and duration of His ministry and its end with His atoning death. A mysterious time (by man’s linear understanding) to the future, when evil will be bound forever, leaving Peace to rule the faithful, is still to come, but documented as part of this vision.

I once bought into the old adage, ‘The more you read/know, the less you understand’. Reading the ancient prophets can make one’s head spin, but as I have studied and prayed, I no longer accept this as true or even possible, because God doesn’t operate this way.  He brings order and rest to all He touches. Daniel saw a time of complete finality that was filled with great and everlasting Hope and Peace.  I don’t have to be a nuclear physicist to see the stars and I don’t have to do calculus to know that God has always had a miraculous plan to save me from my carnal self. He gave His only Son to die for me.  It’s as simple as 2+2=4. 

Happy Halfway to the Weekend!,

Gretchen

Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means. Daniel 5:17 (Daniel 5)

Belshazzar’s father, Nabonidus, retired to Arabia, leaving his son as co-regent of Babylon. This king in residence threw a wild party, complete with rowdy friends, intoxicating drinks and wild women. While the festivities were in full swing, the Persian army diverted the Euphrates River so they could walk along the dry river bed, into the impenetrable city uncontested. Most other kings of Babylon offered some degree of reverence to Daniel’s God. Nabonidus himself prayed that his son would do likewise, but the arrogant offspring calls for the gold and silver goblets from the Temple of Jerusalem and defiles them by singing praises to the ‘gods’ of gold and silver.

A stubborn heart and an arrogant countenance are a fatal combination. In the midst of the revelry a human like hand appears and writes on a wall. Belshazzar did not know what the writing said, but he quickly grew sober. He sent for enchanters, astrologers and diviners but none could discern the meaning. The queen, probably Nebuchadnezzar’s widow, mentioned Daniel. The king offered him third in line to the throne and all the glory that goes with such power. Daniel informed the king such earthly entrapments held no appeal, but let the puffed up ruler know that in the history of Babylon there had been some great leaders, however, he, Belshazzar, had been weighed, found wanting and his hours were numbered. Indeed, before the night was over, Belshazzar was slain and Babylon’s short, but great, history ended.

Man cannot compensate for sin by making elaborate deals with God. Belshazzar felt he was doing God a favor by elevating Daniel’s status. Time has judged this man harshly, but where could unchecked arrogance take each one of us?…….. A humble and contrite heart is the perfect sacrifice to offer the The Ruler of All Nations.

Love,

Gretchen