DAY 264 Read Ezra 10; Nehemiah 1 and 2.
Today's reading: Ezra succeeded in bringing about some good reforms in Judah, but God saw that a strong political leader was needed. He raised up Nehemiah to meet the challenge.
Memory gem: "The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build" (Nehemiah 2:20).
Thought for today:
"Ezra's arrival in Jerusalem was opportune. There was great need of the influence of his presence. His coming brought courage and hope to the hearts of many who had long labored under difficulties. Since the return of the first company of exiles under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, over seventy years before, much had been accomplished. The temple had been finished, and the walls of the city had been partially repaired. Yet much remained undone.
"Among those who had returned to Jerusalem in former years there were many who had remained true to God as long as they lived; but a considerable number of the children and the children's children lost sight of the sacredness of God's law. Even some of the men entrusted with responsibilities were living in open sin. Their course was largely neutralizing the efforts made by others to advance the cause of God; for so long as flagrant violations of the law were allowed to go unrebuked, the blessing of Heaven could not rest upon the people.
"It was in the providence of God that those who returned with Ezra had had special seasons of seeking the Lord. The experiences through which they had just passed, on their journey from Babylon, unprotected as they had been by any human power, had taught them rich spiritual lessons. Many had grown strong in faith; and as these mingled with the discouraged and the indifferent in Jerusalem, their influence was a powerful factor in the reform soon afterward instituted."--Prophets and Kings, pp. 618, 619
NOTE: Nehemiah received his commission as governor of Judah in 444 B.C
Today's reading: Ezra succeeded in bringing about some good reforms in Judah, but God saw that a strong political leader was needed. He raised up Nehemiah to meet the challenge.
Memory gem: "The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build" (Nehemiah 2:20).
Thought for today:
"Ezra's arrival in Jerusalem was opportune. There was great need of the influence of his presence. His coming brought courage and hope to the hearts of many who had long labored under difficulties. Since the return of the first company of exiles under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, over seventy years before, much had been accomplished. The temple had been finished, and the walls of the city had been partially repaired. Yet much remained undone.
"Among those who had returned to Jerusalem in former years there were many who had remained true to God as long as they lived; but a considerable number of the children and the children's children lost sight of the sacredness of God's law. Even some of the men entrusted with responsibilities were living in open sin. Their course was largely neutralizing the efforts made by others to advance the cause of God; for so long as flagrant violations of the law were allowed to go unrebuked, the blessing of Heaven could not rest upon the people.
"It was in the providence of God that those who returned with Ezra had had special seasons of seeking the Lord. The experiences through which they had just passed, on their journey from Babylon, unprotected as they had been by any human power, had taught them rich spiritual lessons. Many had grown strong in faith; and as these mingled with the discouraged and the indifferent in Jerusalem, their influence was a powerful factor in the reform soon afterward instituted."--Prophets and Kings, pp. 618, 619
NOTE: Nehemiah received his commission as governor of Judah in 444 B.C
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