21 Days Prayer and Fasting (RE-BUILDING THE ANCIENT RUINS) Day 3 Bible Reading for the Day: (Ezra 3:1-13) INTRODUCTION: “ But many of the priests and Levites, and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with aloud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off” (Ezra 3:12-13) In this chapter we will be considering, there are layers of truth that we can begin to excavate. From the beginning, we see that the people gathered together as one man-the principle of unity of heart and purpose, which is a foundational ingredient for effective building. As things progressed, we saw that foundation of the house of the Lord was built (vs 10), and this is met with a whole lot of singing and rejoicing. But we see another strange sight in the midst of all this rejoicing- the ancients beginning to weep when they behold the restored foundation of the house of the Lord. What is the source of their weeping? You see, if we look carefully at this chapter, we will see that there are two (2) generations here. Firstly there are those who were taken captive to Babylon. These people were born in Judah, and they have had the privilege of witnessing the glories and splendor of the former foundation of the house of the Lord. This means that they must have been in their youths when they were taken captive. Now we have another generation. These ones have never known the glories of the former temple in Judah. These ones were born and bred in Babylon. Babylon is all they have known up until the time of their return. They must have heard stories of the magnificence of the temple, but that cannot be compared with the actual sighting. These young ones are just glad that the foundation of the house of the Lord is restored. How does this relate to us in this season of life? How is this present truth to us? We have heard stories of the moves of God in lives of the matriarchs and patriarchs in this nation. We have heard of revivals that shook whole cities and communities and even the nation at large. We have also read of the way God used people like Ayo Babalola, Garrick Shokari Braide, Daniel Orekoya, Sophia Odunlami and many others that we are oblivious of. Even the Word of the Lord through Haggai to Zerubabbel states, “Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? And how do you see it now? Is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?” (Haggai 2:3). Even in the midst of all these, there is still encouragement to the people and even to us who are privileged to be in this season of life. The Word of the Lord through Haggai further states, “Yet NOW be strong O Zerrubabel, says the Lord; and be strong O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest, and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts…………. The glory of this latter house shall be GREATER than of the former saith the Lord of hosts…..” (Haggai 2:4, 8). Blessed be the Lord for his Word which causes us to make advancement in His purposes. Blessed be the Lord for His Word which consistently encourages us! Therefore we do not settle for the GOOD OLD DAYS! But we can anticipate and eagerly expect and press into the GREATER AND BETTER DAYS AHEAD! We are in the SEASON OF RESTORATION! GREATER THINGS ARE YET TO COME! The ANCIENT RUINS ARE BEING REBUILT ON THE STRENGTH OF THE ANCIENT WORD! For this cause, we faint not. We will press on with hope and expectation till we see the fulfillment of His Word to us. (Amen) Prayer Focus: 1. Lord upgrade our discernment in this season to see what You are doing even in its seed form. 2. Lord enlarge our capacity for more of You in this season. 3. Lord upgrade our understanding to align with the new thing You are doing in this season. 4. Lord teach us to cooperate with what You are doing in this season in Jesus name (Amen)
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 15:47:20 +0000
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