Month: May 2022

Returning to Holy God (May 14)

The good news of Ezra’s arrival at
Jerusalem is tempered by the bad
news of mixed marriages in the
community. Jews are permitting
their sons to marry heathen women
from neighbouring territories. Even
the priests, Levites and civic leaders
are involved – a condition which
the law of God condemns & which
Ezra finds intolerable. The process
of righting these wrongs is painful,
difficult and time consuming. But
even those “rainy skies” cannot
dampen Israel’s renewed commit-
ment to personal & national purity.

Lord, we Consecrate & Return to You:
The people of Israel including priests
and Levites have not kept themselves
separate from neighbouring peoples
with their detestable practices… They
have taken their daughters as wives.
And the leaders and officials have
led the way in this unfaithfulness.
When I heard this, I tore my tunic…
pulled hair…and sat down appalled..
Then at the evening sacrifice, I rose
…with tunic and cloak torn, and fell
on my knees… and prayed: O my God,
I am too ashamed and disgraced to
lift up my face to You (Ezra 9:1-6).
Now while Ezra was praying and
while he was confessing, weeping
and bowing down before the house
of God, a very large assembly… from
Israel… wept very bitterly… Then Ezra
the priest said: You have transgressed
and have taken pagan wives, adding
to the guilt of Israel. Now therefore,
make confession to the Lord God…
and do His will; separate yourselves
from the peoples of the land & from
the pagan wives (Ezra 10:1,10-12).

Lord, like Ezra’s, we express shame
for sins, fear for consequences
and the desire that people will
come to their senses and repent.
For even when we sin in worst way,
we can turn to You God with prayer
of our unworthiness & repentance.
We look to Your mercy Lord and
trust You God for pardon & peace.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Father God, thank You as believers
in Christ, our sins are forgiven; for
His death cleansed us from all sin.
Confession is also recommitting
ourselves to do God’s will and to
renounce any act of disobedience.
And confession inevitably leads
us to repentance, turning away
from sin and asking You God for
fresh power to live for Him. Amen.

Merciful Lord, Thank You that no
one is so far away from You that
he or she cannot be restored; for
repentance is all that is required.
And Thank You Lord that no matter
how far we have strayed or how
long it has been since we have
worshipped You God, You are able
to restore our relationship to Him
and rebuild our lives. In Jesus’ name.

Fasting & Earnest Prayer

The first six chapters chronicle
the ministry of Zerubbabel in
rebuilding the temple; now c7-10
introduces a priest named Ezra
whom God uses to rebuild the
spiritual condition of the people.
The people have a house for
God but not a heart of God.
Ezra realises revival must begin
a national return to the statutes of
God as contained in the Mosaic law.

Lord, we’ll Seek thru Fast & Prayer:
By the Ahava Canal, I (Ezra) gave
orders for all of us to Fast & humble
ourselves before our God to Seek
from Him the Right Way for us.
For I was ashamed to ask the king
for soldiers… to protect us from
enemies along the way. After all,
we had told the king: Our God’s
hand of protection is on all who
worship Him… So we Fasted and
earnestly Prayed that our God
would take care of us, and He
heard our prayer (Ezra 8:21-23).

Lord, we note Ezra and the people
Humbled themselves by Fasting
and Praying. Fasting humbled
the people because going without
food was a reminder of their
complete dependence on God.
It also frees up time to think about
God and to pray to Him earnestly.
And serious prayer puts us in touch
with God’s will for our lives and can
change our hearts & minds. Lord,
Grant us grace to fast & pray. Amen

Lord, we know the need to fast to
focus attention & dependence on U.
It shows Your presence & direction
are more important than food; and
our priorities to hear Your voice.
We purpose to forsake the physical
need for food for a season in order
to heighten our spiritual senses.
Amplify Your voice at fasting time,
hear our cries and lead us in the
right way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord of mercy, help me to fast and
pray whenever the need arises. 
Show me how often & how long
and give me the strength to get
through each fast successfully.
With every fast, help me to pray
about the issues of my situation
and the direction I have to take.
For I need to deny my flesh so that
I can hear from You clearly and
exalt You above all else. Amen.

Hear & Live by the Word of God

The first six chapters chronicle the
ministry of Zerubbabel in rebuilding
the temple. Now chapters 7-10
introduce a priest named Ezra whom
God uses to rebuild the spiritual
condition of the people. Ezra begins
his task 58 years after the events
of chapter 6. The people have a
house for God but not heart for God.
Ezra realises revival must begin with
a national return to the statutes of
God as contained in the Mosaic law.

Lord, we’ll Study & Live Your Word:
Ezra was a scribe, well versed in
the law of Moses, which the Lord…
had given to the people of Israel.
He came to Jerusalem from Babylon,
and the king gave him everything
he asked for, because the gracious
hand of the Lord his God was on him…
For Ezra had devoted himself to the
study and observance of the law of
the Lord, and to teaching its decrees
and laws in Israel (Ezra 7:6-10).
Lord, we’ll Serve Your kingdom:
Blessed be the Lord God… who
has put such a thing as this in the
king’s heart, to beautify the house
of the Lord which is in Jerusalem,
and has extended mercy to me
before the king and his counselors…
So I was encouraged as the hand
of the Lord my God was upon me;
and I gathered leading men of Israel
to go up with me (Ezra 7:27-28).

Lord, help us emulate Ezra to study
the Bible each day and then to live it.
Help us Lord not only to talk the talk
but also to walk the walk so that
others will be encouraged and
be challenged to walk with God.
Help us to devote ourselves to God
so we too will know the hand of God
at work in us and through us. Amen.

Lord, when faced with life challenges
we purpose to work diligently and
realise You oversee all our work.
Thank You Lord for Your help and 
grateful for all successes and not
thinking we did it with own power.
Lord, You have gifted each of us
with “talents” so we can each make
a contribution to Your kingdom work.
May we not hinder Your kingdom
work by withholding back. Amen.

Lord, when the Israelites returned
to the land, they’re also returning to
the influence of God’s Word as Ezra’s
preaching of Scripture built them up
and spurred them to do God’s work.
We also need the encouragement of
God’s Word; for it’s the basis for our
faith and motivation to do God’s work.
Help us Lord not waver in commitment
to hear Your Word and to obey it.
For we purpose to study Your Word,
live it out & serve Your Kingdom. Amen

Remember God’s Mighty Deeds

The final chapters of Esther’s drama
read like the ending of a fairy tale.
Mordecai is promoted, the Jews’
enemies are destroyed and Esther
secures letters from the king
establishing the Feast of Purim
as a perpetual reminder of God’s
great deliverance. In the epilogue,
Mordecai receives recognition in the
Persian annals from pagan historians.

Lord, we will Remember Your Deeds:
King Xerxes gave estate of Haman
to Queen Esther… The king took
off his signet ring… and presented it
to Mordecai. And Esther appointed
him over Haman’s estate. Esther again
pleaded with the king… to put an end
to the evil plan of Haman… against
the Jews. Then the king extended the
gold scepter to Esther (Esther 8:1-4).
Mordecai recorded these events
and sent letters to the Jews
throughout all the king’s provinces,
encouraging them to celebrate
an annual festival… These would
commemorate a time when the Jews
gained relief from their enemies, when
their sorrow was turned into gladness
and their mourning into joy. So, the
Jews adopted Mordecai’s suggestion
and began this custom (Esth 9:20-28)

Lord, as we read the book of Esther,
we reflect on the many events
demonstrating sovereign control:
Mordecai’s unrewarded kindness,
king’s insomnia, Haman’s casting
of lots and Esther’s two banquets.
With God in charge, we can take
courage that He will guide and
lead us through life’s challenges.
Lord, we’ll Be Committed to You; and
we’ll Remember Your Deeds. Amen.

Lord, we note Esther and Mordecai
were faithful to the point of risking
their lives to save others; and God
gave them a reward in proportion
to their all-out commitment. Lord,
we note You are faithful and do not
abandon Your people and promises.
Help us run with perseverance the
race marked out, fixing our eyes on
Jesus perfecter of our faith. Amen.

Lord, we ask for Your favour in
response to our keeping faith in You.
And we will run with perseverance
the race marked out for us, and
fixing our eyes fully on You Jesus.
As we seek first the kingdom of God,
we can be confident to benefit from
Your sovereign care and faithfulness.
And we will remember and celebrate
Your goodness in our lives. Amen.

Waiting Upon the Lord (May 10)

The king and Haman are invited to
yet another banquet. Esther’s wise
and timely delay allows the Divine
Director to stage Haman’s exit.
Meanwhile, King Ahasuerus has
trouble sleeping and tries to cure
his insomnia by reading the court
records. To his surprise he discovers
the unrewarded kindness of
Mordecai and orders Haman to lead
the procession in Mordecai’s honor.
Thoroughly humiliated, Haman
returns to Esther’s banquet, where
she reveals both her nationality
and his treachery. The king directs
his servants to hang Haman on the
very gallows prepared for Mordecai.

Lord, we Trust You are In Control:
That night the king could not sleep.
So the book of records… were read
before the king. It was found written
that Mordecai had exposed… two
of the king’s officers… who had
conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
Then the king said: What recognition
has Mordecai received for this? And
the king’s servants… said: Nothing
has been done for him (Esth 6:1-3).
Lord, we will Wait for Your Timing:
The king and Haman went to Queen
Esther’s banquet. And while they were
drinking wine, the king again asked
her: Tell me what you want… I will
give you even if it’s half the kingdom.
And so Queen Esther replied:
My petition is that my life and the
lives of my people will be spared.
For my people and I have been
sold to those who would kill us.
Who would do such a thing?
King Xerxes demanded. Who would
dare to touch you? Esther replied:
He is wicked Haman (Est 7:1-6).

Lord, noted king Xerxes unable to
sleep and decided to review history
of his reign may seem coincidental;
but You God are always at work.
Trust events that come together
for good are not mere coincidence.
But they are the result of almighty
God’s sovereign control over the
course of our lives. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, when I’m anxious, help me
to remember that Your grace is
sufficient for me and Your power
is made perfect in my weakness.
Lord, when dealing with those in
authority, it is important to ensure
the timing is right before speaking.
So teach us Lord to listen to Your
voice and respond in obedience
on Your perfect timing. Amen.

Lord, because You are in control of
history, You are not frustrated by turn
of events and You’re able to deliver us.
Because we trust You God, we are
not to fear; but instead we are to
be confident that God is in control.
And we will purpose to act with
courage to follow God’s guidance;
knowing & trusting You’re In Control.
Lord, we’ll Wait for Your Timing; and
we’ll Seize the Opportunity. Amen.

Prepared to Be Counted

Esther has been elevated to queen
without her nationality discovered.
And Haman the villain also rises
to the top politically. His hatred for
the Jews burns hot when Mordecai
fails to pay homage to him. Haman
persuaded King Ahasuerus to issue
an edict for destruction for the
Jewish race. Now Queen Esther
is faced with a deadly decision.
Should she risk revealing her
nationality in an attempt to dissuade
the king? Or should she protect
her life and silently watch while
her countrymen are slaughtered?

Lord, we purpose to Be Counted:
Mordecai sent this reply to Esther:
Don’t think for a moment because
you’re in the palace you will escape
when all other Jews are killed. If
you Keep Quiet at a time like this,
deliverance and relief for the Jews
will arise from some other place,
but you and your relatives will die.
Who knows you were made queen
for just such a time like this?(E4:13-14)
Go, gather together all the Jews…
and fast for me. Do not eat or drink
for three days, night or day. I and
my maids Will Fast as you do. When
this is done, I Will Go to the king,
even though it is against the law.
And If I Perish, I Perish (v15-16).

Lord, we witness Esther’s courageous
Identification with You & Your people.
And I reflect if I have been bold and
committed to being part of Your pple.
Give me the courage I need to Identify
Openly with You Lord and Your cause.
Give me the extraordinary courage
it takes to be different even if it
means being rejected because of
identification with You Lord. Amen.

Lord, I pray You will help me to be
a person who has a Heart For You
and Your ways; and one who is
in the right place at the right time.
Enable me Lord as I Fast & Pray to
make a difference by standing up for
what is right & following Your leading.
Make my prayers powerful enough
to encourage and enable the lives
of the people for whom I pray. Amen.

Lord, show me when Your Spirit is
calling me to Put Aside everything
else in order to seek You; and give
me grace to respond to that call.
Make my heart obedient, as Esther
was in pursuing Your cause, even
above personal interest if necessary.
Give me the discipline I need to be
able to Follow Through and the faith
to know that You are able to deliver
in whatever circumstances. Amen.

Be Committed to the LORD

Abijah, king of Judah, is used by
God to discipline Jeroboam, king of
Israel. During their battle, 500,000
Israelites fall, a shattering defeat
from which Jeroboam will never
fully recover. What Abijah achieves
in the military sphere, Asa attempts
to duplicate in the spiritual realm.
He removes all traces of foreign
religion from the land & commands
the people to return to the careful
observance of God’s statutes.
But towards the end of his reign,
Asa faces a threat from Baasha
(king of Israel) & seeks an alliance
of protection with the king of Syria.

Lord, we aim to Be Committed to You:
Then they entered into a covenant
to seek the Lord with all their heart…
And the Lord gave them rest from
their enemies on every side… Although
he did not remove the high places
from Israel, Asa’s heart was Fully
Committed to the Lord (2Chr 15:12-17)
Hanani the seer came to Asa
king of Judah, and said to him:
Because you have relied on the
king of Syria and have not relied
on the Lord your God, therefore
the army of the king of Syria
has escaped from your hand…
For the Eyes of the Lord search
the whole earth to Strengthen
those whose hearts are fully
Committed to Him. In this you have
done foolishly; therefore from now
on you shall have wars(2Chr 16:7-9)

Lord, we learnt that decisive
and whole-hearted Commitment
pleases You and results in peace.
Help us Lord to always remember
to pray to You in the good times
as we do in challenging times.
Enable us Lord to always keep
our hearts open to Your high
purpose; and to what You’re doing
in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, it is so comforting that You
God longs to support us thru the
struggles and challenges we face.
Although we may not yet be fully
committed to You but we want to be.
So Lord, grant us the grace to do
so while we are yielded and still.
Lord, I give You my heart, remold
it after Your will and Your way.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, I earnestly thank You for
Your precious promises of blessing.
And I stand on Your promise to
strengthen those who are fully
committed to You for whatever
assignment You have for me.
And I purpose the weaker I feel,
the harder I will lean on You Lord.
And I trust the harder I lean on
You, the stronger I will be. Amen.

Seeking God thru Biblical Prayers

The purpose of 2 Chronicles is to
unify the nation around true worship
of God by showing His standard for judging kings. The righteous kings
of Judah and the religious revivals
under their rule are highlighted; and the sins of the evil kings are exposed.
This week we see the importance of
Seeking God & be Committed to Him.
On Monday, we learn from 2 Chron 7
on Seeking God to Bless the Nation.
On Tues, we learn from 2 Chron 15/16
on Being Committed to the LORD.
On Wed, we learn from 2 Chron 18
on Prayer for Protection/Deliverance.
On Thu, we learn from 2 Chron 20
on Seeking God for Assistance.
On Fri, we learn from 2 Chr 24-28
on Be Wholehearted to the LORD.
On Sat, we learn from 2 Chron 32
on Entrusting the Lord our battles.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

Entrust the Lord Our Battle (May 7)

Inheriting a disorganised country
and a heavy burden of tribute to
Assyria, Hezekiah puts first things first.
In the very first month of his reign
Hezekiah repairs the house of the
Lord, restores the long-neglected
Temple worship and declares war
on idol worship & pagan practices.
When the Assyrian King besieges
Jerusalem, Hezekiah prays for
deliverance. God answers his plea &
crowns his life with power & prestige.

Lord, we Seek & Trust Your Help:
When Hezekiah saw Sennacherib
had come to make war, he consulted
with his leaders and commanders…
he strengthened himself, built up
all the wall… made weapons…Then
he gathered the people and gave
them encouragement (2C32:2-6)
Be Strong and Courageous. Do not
be afraid or discouraged because
of the king of Assyria and the vast
army with him, for there is a Greater
Power With us than with him.
With him is only the arm of flesh,
but with us is the Lord our God
to Help us and to fight our battles.
And the people gained confidence
from what Hezekiah the king of
Judah said (2 Chron 32:7-8).
Now because… King Hezekiah and
the prophet Isaiah… Prayed and
cried out to heaven. Then the LORD
sent an angel who cut down every
mighty man… of Assyria (v20-21).

Lord, we learnt from 2 Chron 32
when King Hezekiah faced a strong
enemy, he made preparations
and he told his people the truth
that You God is in fact Greater.
Help us when we sometimes feel
overwhelmed at how little strength
in the midst of the challenges.
Help us not to worry but instead
Pray, remembering that the one
who is in us is Greater than the
one who is in the world. Amen.

Lord, when we face overwhelming
circumstances, we seems small
and the enemy wants us to be
trapped in that perspective.
But LORD Your Word urges us to
Be Strong & Courageous and to
let our eyes come to rest on God.
Praise be to Lord God Almighty
for we’re never in the battle alone
for our battle is the Lord’s. Amen.

Lord, thank You that You are
with me in everything of my life.
No matter what comes against me,
You are with me in all that I face.
And in faith, I am leaving You to
take charge of all my situations.
I praise You and Your greatness
in the midst of all that seems large
and looming in my life. For the
Battle Belongs to the LORD. Amen.

Be Committed to the LORD (May 6)

Raised by a godly father & grand-
father’s  Jehoram marries the wicked
daughter of Ahab and Jezebel,
embraces her pagan deities & leads
nation into idol worship once again.
In rapid succession, his son, wife
and grandson come to the throne
Then Joash and Amaziah both
become long-reigning Kings
with half-hearted commitments.
King Uzziah does mighty things
for Judah both militarily and
architecturally; but spiritually
his life resembles a roller coaster
and dies a leper’s death for his
half-hearted devotion to God.
By contrast, his grandson Ahaz
is wholehearted in his zeal for
false gods and pagan practices.

Dear Lord, thanks for the record
of the tragic stories of Judah that
highlight the importance of being
wholehearted in obeying Your laws.
Help us learn from King Joash days
that we will Worship Only You.
Help us learn from King Uzziah days
that we will Be Weary of Pride.
Help us learn from King Ahaz days
that we will Be Faithful to You.
Above all, help us Stay Connected
and Be Wholehearted to You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Worship Only You:
After Jehoida’s death, the leaders
of Judah persuaded King Joash
to abandon the Temple and they
worshipped idols instead! Because
of this sin, divine anger fell on Judah.
Yet the Lord sent prophets to bring
them back to Him but the people
would not listen. Then the Spirit of
God came to Zechariah (and) said:
Why disobey the Lord’s commands
& keep yourselves from prospering?
You’ve abandoned the Lord & now
He has abandoned u (2Chr24:17-21)
Lord, help us not to let good times
lure us into false sense of security.
Help us not to think having more
will enhance our love for You God.
Help us realise that You Lord alone
deserves our ultimate allegiance.
And that Serving You is something
we must consciously choose. Amen

Lord, we will Humble Before You:
King Uzziah did what was pleasing
in the Lord’s sight. Uzziah sought God
during the days of Zechariah, who
instructed him in the fear of the Lord.
And as long as the king sought
the Lord, God gave him success…
But when he had become powerful,
he also became Proud, which led
to his downfall. He sinned against
the Lord by entering the sanctuary
of the Lord’s temple and personally
burning incense on the altar… But
as he was standing there… leprosy 
broke out on his forehead (26:4-19)
Lord, we note after King Uzziah
became powerful, he was unfaithful
to God & his pride led to his downfall.
Help us Lord to seek after You
knowing it will lead us to success.
And help us to be Watchful and
weary of becoming proud, after
one becomes successful. Amen.

Lord, we will Be Faithful to You:
At that time King Ahaz of Judah
asked the king of Assyria for help.
The armies of Edom had again
invaded Judah & taken captives.
And the Philistines had raided
towns in the foothills of Judah…
(God) was humbling Judah because
King Ahaz…encouraged his people
to sin & had been utterly unfaithful
to the Lord. So when King of Assyria
arrived, he attacked Ahaz instead
of helping him (2Chron 28:16-20)
Lord, help us respond to troubles
as our teachers. For we know that
through hardship, God disciplines
His children in love. And that rough
times give us a chance to grow.
So when facing difficulties, help
us O God, to turn to You. Amen.