A couple of different places today – let’s read Daniel 6, Daniel 9, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1, and 1 Chronicles 3:17-19. Are you reading your own favorite Bible, the YouVersion, or a Chronological One Year Bible?  To be honest, I switch around – but look at us!  Making it all the way to 251!  Here we go:

Daniel in the lions den…. oh the trust! I thought it was important to note: Darius trusted God at first because Daniel trusted God at all times.

“King Darius published this proclamation to every race, color, and creed on earth:

Our example of faith might lead someone to faith. Darius’ decree reflected what he witnessed in Daniel. 

“I turned to the Master God, asking for an answer—praying earnestly, fasting from meals, wearing rough penitential burlap, and kneeling in the ashes. I poured out my heart, baring my soul to God, my God” (Daniel 9:4 MSG)

“Turn your ears our way, God, and listen. Open your eyes and take a long look at our ruined city, this city named after you. We know that we don’t deserve a hearing from you. Our appeal is to your compassion. This prayer is our last and only hope” (Daniel 9:18 MSG)

We do not ask because we are anything, we ask because God is everything.  Fasting is also such a powerful and important discipline, not to be overlooked in our Christian walk.

Finally the end of the captivity in Ezra 1! Back in Isaiah 45, it was prophesied that Cyrus would end the captivity and here it comes to pass. God is always true!

All in Daniel today!  That’s simple.  Let’s read Daniel chapters 7, 8, and 5 together.  Here’s what stands out to me in reading today:  

“But as for me, Daniel, I was disturbed. All these dream-visions had me agitated. So I went up to one of those standing by and asked him the meaning of all this. And he told me” (Daniel 7:15 MSG)

“I, Daniel, walked around in a daze, unwell for days. Then I got a grip on myself and went back to work taking care of the king’s affairs. But I continued to be upset by the vision. I couldn’t make sense of it” (Daniel 8:27 MSG)

It’s interesting to me that some of these visions were immediately interpreted for Daniel, and others were for the “far future” and Daniel received them but didn’t fully understand. God doesn’t have to tell us everything at once – He gives us what we need when we need it (and there’s the gap again – between knowing and unknowing).

“Daniel answered the king, ‘You can keep your gifts, or give them to someone else. But I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means’ ” (Daniel 5:17 MSG)

In chapter 5: how terrifying, the hand on the wall! I try to imagine seeing it myself, what would I feel? I like Daniel’s response – he didn’t want the gifts, but he would share the truth. Motivation is important – and Daniel was motivated by faithfulness to God.

Got some more prophets today! Please read Ezekiel 47, 48, 29:17-21, 30:1-19.  Then, 2 Kings 25:27-30, and Jeremiah 52:31-34.  249 days in – wow!  Here we go:

I love Ezekiel 47:1-12, too much to put all of it here – you just read it too!

“But the river itself, on both banks, will grow fruit trees of all kinds. Their leaves won’t wither, the fruit won’t fail. Every month they’ll bear fresh fruit because the river from the Sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing” (Ezekiel 47:12 MSG)

Wherever the water flows, there is life.  I love the idea, the reality: the river flows from the Sanctuary to them.  To us, bringing everything we need.  Praise God!

Ezekiel must have been glad to share this message:

“And then I’ll stir up fresh hope in Israel—the dawn of deliverance!—and I’ll give you, Ezekiel, bold and confident words to speak. And they’ll realize that I am GOD.’ ” (Ezekiel 29:21 MSG)

“Stir up fresh hope” – I love that!  Everything from the Lord is always new and always exactly what we need. The purpose was always to reveal Himself to His children: “they’ll realize that I am God”. 

Of course, the lesson didn’t come easily in Ezekiel 30.

Three chapters today – you got this!  We are reading Ezekiel 44, 45, and 46.  What are you learning today?  What can you apply to your life?  Here’s what I am thinking about:  

The Message translation makes me laugh sometimes, but I’m quick to re-read and get to the truth. Here’s one: in response to seeing God’s glory, Ezekiel falls down to worship, and:

“GOD said to me, “Son of man, get a grip on yourself. Use your eyes, use your ears, pay careful attention to everything I tell you” (Ezekiel 44:5 MSG)

“Get a grip”, lol! 🙂 But honestly – sometimes we get our focus on the wrong thing. This was a time of instruction, and Ezekiel needed to be paying attention. Discernment is so important.  

“Quit bullying and taking advantage of my people. Do what’s just and right for a change. Use honest scales—honest weights and honest measures” (Ezekiel 45:10 MSG)

“Everyone in the land must contribute” (Ezekiel 45:16)

Ezekiel 45:9-12 is the familiar passage about honest weights and measures, and 45:16 tells us that everyone must contribute – amen. Lord, I’m depending on Your strength to help me do my part in Your kingdom.

46:9-10 is a highlight for me:

“But when the people of the land come to worship God at the commanded feasts, those who enter through the north gate will exit from the south gate, and those who enter though the south gate will exit from the north gate. You don’t exit the gate through which you enter, but through the opposite gate” (Ezekiel 46:9-10 MSG)

He again makes the point that we are to leave differently than we came in. I know this was a physical change of direction, but physical obedience yields spiritual results.  Let’s purpose to be changed spiritually every time we come in the presence of the Lord!

We’re staying in Ezekiel today!  Please read Ezekiel 40:38-49, and Ezekiel 41, 42, 43.  Come on back – what stands out to you today?

“The walls separated the holy from the ordinary” (Ezekiel 42:20 MSG)

It’s important that we are able to discern between the holy and the ordinary as well. Differentiate between these things in your life, and treat the holy with great respect and care. God is taking such care – rebuilding the temple is about (guess what?) restoration and bringing His people back into right relationship with Him, always His heart towards His children.

I’m not really crazy about the phrase “the God of the Old Testament”, as if God ever changed.  He always lovedHis children, and he loves us even still!

Today, we are reading 1 Chronicles 8:29-40, 1 Chronicles 9:1, Daniel 4, and Ezekiel 40:1-37. Do you have a favorite?  I love history, so the Old Testament is lots of fun for me (well, most of the time!).  It’s remarkable how the Bible always has a lesson for us, and how we can apply the Word from ages ago to this very moment.  When you are done reading, come on back!

Daniel 4 has too much for a minute!

As Nebuchadnezzar is enjoying the benefits and blessings of God, he has also detached himself from the poor, far away from their concerns and troubles:

“King Nebuchadnezzar to everyone, everywhere—every race, color, and creed: “Peace and prosperity to all! It is my privilege to report to you the gracious miracles that the High God has done for me.^‘His miracles are staggering, His wonders are surprising. His kingdom lasts and lasts. His sovereign rule goes on forever’. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home taking it easy in my palace, without a care in the world” (Daniel 4:1-7 MSG)

Taking it easy, without a care in the world, when a dream disturbs him.  Daniel is able to interpret and offers a warning:

“So, king, take my advice: Make a clean break with your sins and start living for others. Quit your wicked life and look after the needs of the down-and-out. Then you will continue to have a good life” (Daniel 4:27 MSG)

Sadly, Nebuchadnezzar does not heed Daniel’s warning.  As he continues to ignore the needs of his people, he shifts from being a RULER to being RULED himself – as we read further in the chapter, we see that the consequences were severe.

And there’s our lesson, written ages ago, instructing us in this very moment: look after the needs of others as you trust God to look after your needs!

Today, we’re all in 1 Chronicles – keeping it simple! 🙂 We’ll read 1 Chronicles 5: 18-26, 6:3, 6:49, 6:4-15, 7, and 8:1-28. Come on back and let’s share our highlights – here’s mine:

“Because the war was God’s” (1 Chron 5:22 NKJV)

Lord, help me always recognize who the battle belongs to. If the battle is the Lord’s, we can be confident throughout that there is victory.  insert big sigh of relief here We are not reposponsible for the victory – we are responsible for our own faithfulness during the battle.

Another aspect of the battle belonging to the Lord?  If we can allow that the battle belongs to the Lord, we must also allow that the victory belongs to the Lord – and victory may not look the way we want it to look.  His thoughts our not our thoughts, and what you think is voctory might not be the outcome that the Lord intends.  Relax and let Him fight for you!  He has our best in His heart always.

Lots of reading, lots of places today – hang with me!  Here we go: Ezekiel 32:17-32, 33:1-20, Jeremiah 52:28-30, Psalm 137, 1 Chronicles 4:24-43, and 1 Chronicles 5:1-17.  Don’t miss anything 🙂 Come on back and share your highlight! Here’s mine:

“The children of your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair’ but it is their way which is not fair” (Ezekiel 33:17 NKJV)

Exactly!  God is always fair.

“By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept
When we remembered Zion. We hung our harps
Upon the willows in the midst of it.
For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song,
And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” (Psalm 137:1-3 NKJV)

It’s sad and precious that the people want to hear songs from home, from Zion, about the God who gives comfort in their captivity. We need to turn to the Lord for comfort first.

“if the watchman sees war coming and doesn’t blow the trumpet, warning the people, and war comes and takes anyone off, I’ll hold the watchman responsible for the bloodshed of any unwarned sinner” (Ezekiel 33:6 MSG)

Everyone is a watchman for someone, it is a role to be taken seriously.

Let’s read Ezekiel 37, 39, 39, and 32:1-16. Lots going on – big day!  Let’s visit:

There is too much in 37 to cover in a minute!

 ^“God, the Master, told the dry bones, ‘Watch this: I’m bringing the breath of life to you and you’ll come to life. I’ll attach sinews to you, put meat on your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You’ll come alive and you’ll realize that I am God!’ ” (Ezekiel 37:5-6 MSG)

Still through the passages, we can underline the phrase “then they shall know I am the Lord” – God never acts without purpose.

All in one place today – that makes it easy!  Please read Ezekiel 34, 35, and 36 and come on back!  Leave a comment – I’d love to hear what you think!

I love Ezekiel 34 and the tenderness of the True Shepherd.  

“‘I’ll make a covenant of peace with them. I’ll banish fierce animals from the country so the sheep can live safely in the wilderness and sleep in the forest. I’ll make them and everything around my hill a blessing. I’ll send down plenty of rain in season—showers of blessing! The trees in the orchards will bear fruit, the ground will produce, they’ll feel content and safe on their land, and they’ll realize that I am God” (Ezekiel 34:25-26 MSG)

Such a picture of comfort in the midst of judgment. Brings to my mind Psalm 23, and Psalm 119:176. The mention of David (Ezekiel 34:23-24) always stands out to me – at this point, he’s been dead for more than 400 years and his covenant is still being honored (and that reference is to Jesus, the Shepherd from the Davidic line).  

Ezekiel 36:33 is such an encouragement:

“Message of God, the Master: On the day I scrub you clean from all your filthy living, I’ll also make your cities livable. The ruins will be rebuilt. The neglected land will be worked again, no longer overgrown with weeds and thistles, worthless in the eyes of passersby. People will exclaim, “Why, this weed patch has been turned into a Garden of Eden! And the ruined cities, smashed into oblivion, are now thriving!” The nations around you that are still in existence will realize that I, God, rebuild ruins and replant empty waste places. I, God, said so, and I’ll do it” (36:33 MSG)

As God’s judgement – as God’s judgement was being carried out, He was simultaneously enabling the people to live and continue in faithfulness. Always about restoration!