Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 36:16
But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

Ezra is probably the one who compiled the Chronicles. The book that bears Ezra’s name is our next study in the Hebrew Scriptures. In today’s reading, Ezra starts with the Egypt-Babylon war. Israel was caught in the middle and choice young men like Daniel were taken as captives to Babylon. Then in the final verses, Ezra jumps seven decades to his own story, when he was allowed to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem by King Cyrus of Persia (Iran) who had conquered Babylon (Iraq).

It is sobering to realize that the destruction of the Temple and the city need not have happened. God had repeatedly called His people to repentance. Sometimes they did repent, but finally, God, who has given humanity a free will, was so hurt by rejection that He withdrew from Israel. Jeremiah the prophet, who was ministering at the time, was known as “The Weeping Prophet” as he mirrored the heart of God. “There was no remedy.” How very sad! For followers of Jesus who recognize our rebellious natures, there must be a commitment to a continuing correction of our lives, keeping in line with the Word of God, which we are reading in this blog every day. How absolutely essential is that? AMEN!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I thank You that even in the decline and fall of Israel, You still had a remnant of the people, prophets, and priests who were loyal to You and Your Word. May I be one of these on whom You can count to love and serve You with all my heart, my mind, and my entire being…all that I am and ever will be. I pray for this grace. In the Name of the One who always served You at 100%, Jesus, my Saviour and Lord, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m thankful that turning around from our own destructive ways to God’s ways is possible. I was reading recently from a book called, The Blessing, by Thomas Trask and Wayde Goodall. This book is excellent in its thorough coverage of the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people. One person can make a huge difference (click here to find this book). On pages 166-169 there is the story of Steve Crew. His life was a total mess, and but for the grace of God, he would’ve spent years in prison. Instead, he repented, was transformed by Christ, and became a preacher of the Gospel. He was the preacher for several weeks in a church in Brownsville, Florida, when God poured out His Spirit in what became known around the world as “The Brownsville Revival.” It is a fact that God, with the co-operation of His people, does come in power to revolutionize His people. My former co-host on 100 Huntley Street, Lorna Dueck, now our Crossroads leader, interviewed the Pastor of that Brownsville church. I recommend that for encouragement everyone should take the time to view this interview. I am greatly encouraged by this story (click here for the interview).

Yours for revival while there is still a “remedy,”

David