Read Psalms 126. 128, 129, 132, 147, 149
 
Psalms 126:1-6 When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! 2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the LORD has done for them.3 Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy! 4 Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert. 5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
 
THE people returning to Israel prayed, “Restore our fortunes.” Some people get uncomfortable about praying for a good life, for “fortune” or even to be blessed in God’s care. Some of that discomfort could be the result of prosperity teaching that is common in popular churches. That “teaching” says you will have good fortune to gain material wealth when you become a Christian. “Just ask,” they say, “and God will give you what you want if you have true faith.”
   As we know, that distorts God’s Word and recreates God in our image. The true gospel is the good news that teaches God guarantees the riches of a loving, eternal relationship with God. God’s fortune is his grace. It is his mercy to restore us from death’s exile into God’s eternal home. “Restore my fortune.” is an appropriate prayer if we have been weak in our faith or neglected God’s Word. One of Scripture’s great restoration prayers is David’s plea: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” (Psalms 51:12)
   That is the Jews’ prayer here. They have God’s good news to welcome them out of exile, return to Judah, build a new Temple in Jerusalem, farm the fertile land and begin businesses. The Jews’ rejoice. And they pray for a true relationship between themselves and the LORD God.
   In all this, though, it seems the Jews wonder, “Will God care for us? After all, he is the One who sent our families into exile 70 years ago. Will the Judge, the Conqueror, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies consider his people with kindness? Will he restore us to himself?”
   God’s story tells us he will because he has promised he will. Refer to our teaching on Amos 9:11-12 A Promise of Restoration “In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory.”
   I pray such Scripture will remove any doubts that keep you from a full faith in God. May his Spirit restore your mind to know God is a good Father, who keeps his promises to be the God of those who seek him.
 

Read Psalm 107, 116, 118, 125
 
Psalms 107:1-3 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. 2 Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. 3 For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south.
 
“Give thanks to the LORD” begins this series of psalms. One can easily see this as the topic sentence of all verses. The joyful encouragement is repeated twice in Psalm 118. And the psalmist urges us to Sing out your thanks to the LORD; sing praises to our God with a harp. (Psalm 147:7)
   Psalm 107 was likely written on the Jews’ return from Babylon. Four times the psalmist credits God for responding to his people’s desperate prayers: “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. (Psalms 107:6, 13, 19, 28)) And four times he encourages: Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. (Psalms 107:8, 15, 21, 31) Prayers of supplication have become praises for redemption.
   This is something we need to do much more often in the church. As I’ve conducted many Bible studies and classes, there is often a time to ask, “How can we pray for each other today? How would you like to praise God today?” What is rarely heard is, “I have prayed, ‘Help!’ to the LORD, and he has answered my distress.” Or “I thank God for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for me.”  
   It seems we might feel boastful if we declare thanksgiving for God’s saving grace on our lives. Or we might make others feel cheated if we declare the ways God has exhibited his great love.
   But can’t each one of us declare such wonders? The psalmist wrote of physical redemption. And as Christians, we have spiritual redemption into everlasting life! Thank God and declare his love. The Bible tells us God loves us to save us. The Bible declares his goodness to rescue his own from hell through the terrible cross and grave. How can any of us withhold our song of praise to the LORD? The psalms are plain and forthright. They declare how God has saved. This is the Bible’s message. Listen to the psalmist:  Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. Amen.
  
 

Read Psalm 78
 
Psalms 78:1 O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying…52 But he led his own people like a flock of sheep, guiding them safely through the wilderness...72 He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands.
 
THIS psalm, written about 400 years before the Jews returned to Israel is a traditional song defining two eternal truths: 1) Who God is. 2) What God has done. God is the LORD of Israel. He redeemed them from Egypt, guided them through the wilderness, rejected them in their sin and restored them to himself by his grace. The psalm is a combination of God’s grace to make Israel his people and a grim reminder Israel formed other gods. See, also that Psalm 78 is a joyful confession of God’s gracious care to redeem Israel from destruction to resurrection.
   In this manner, it is good to stop and consider your personal history. Yes, recalling past events can embarrass our minds and perhaps rekindle some regrets. We must have some level of courage to pause and remember our mistakes.
   We must never, though, dwell on our errors. As we saw in Zechariah 6, God rebukes Satan’s accusations. The LORD desires we examine our lives as way to help us understand how God has cared for us. As the Bible’s story dwells on redemption and final resurrection, so must our lives.
   How good it is to live with such great assurance that God is guiding us safely through life. His skillful hands hold and lead and fill us with healing, power and life. Steadfastly, the Father leads us to himself.
   What is hard in your life becomes softer in the Savior’s tender care. What is empty in your life becomes full through Christ’s cup of love poured out for you. Anything that is missing in your heart can be found when the Spirit quickens you to find the love God has for you.
   Remember what God has done. Have faith in what God says he is going to do. God’s Love Story is about love from heaven streaming to earth through God’s creation and salvation. Rejoice he makes all things new, especially you.
  
    
 

Read Zechariah 7-8, Ezra 6:14-22
 
Zechariah 8:20-23 “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: ‘People from nations and cities around the world will travel to Jerusalem. 21 The people of one city will say to the people of another, “Come with us to Jerusalem to ask the LORD to bless us. Let’s worship the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. I’m determined to go.” 22 Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD of Heaven’s Armies and to ask for his blessing. 23 This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: “In those days ten men from different nations and languages of the world will clutch at the sleeve of one Jew. And they will say, ‘Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
 
GOD, the Savior, continues to deliver his present and future hope. This particular passage reminds us God’s plan is for all the world. Not only is he restoring the Jews to know and live by his commands, God will use the Jews to bring many more to know him. God will cause those who do not know him to seek after his people and to follow them as they go to the LORD.
   This is the history of the church. We see in Acts 2 how people of many languages were in Jerusalem to hear the gospel preached. We know also from Acts how the apostles went to Jews in other countries and then to Gentiles to declare the gospel. The New Testament epistles record churches planted throughout the Arabian Peninsula, Africa and into Europe. The church’s history is well recorded from then to its worldwide presence today. More and more people of various languages and nations are hearing and believing the gospel because Christians go. God’s Word through Zechariah’s prophecy has come and is coming true.  
   On this day I urge you to consider your role in God’s plan to make him known. Will you be one who is ready to lead people to Jesus? Will you invite them to walk with you as you demonstrate God’s grace and salvation? Will you be Jesus’ instrument of love in his eternal saving purpose?
   As I wrote this, I was listening to Rich Mullins’ brief, powerful song of discipleship, “Step by Step”:
 
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to
Walk in Your ways.
And step by step You’ll lead me.
And I will follow You all of my days
 
Perhaps this can be a song on your heart today.
 
 

Read Zechariah 1:7 through Chapter 6
 
Zechariah 3:1-5 Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, “I, the LORD, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.” 3 Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. 4 So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” 5 Then I said, “They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the LORD stood by.
 
THIS third vision on the eight Zechariah saw one night illustrates the gospel. The very personal God graciously affirmed to the returning Jews that he will redeem his people from sin into his present and eternal kingdom. Jeshua is more often spelled Joshua. This is the Hebrew form of “Jesus”. He is the high priest during the Temple rebuilding in Jerusalem. Jeshua’s dirty clothes represent the Jews’ past sins. Satan accuses Jeshua – and in effect, the Accuser judges all the Jews and even God!
   This is Satan’s cutting saw that cuts away our confidence in God and erodes our love for one another. His constant accusations on our hearts, minds and souls enslave us to falsely believe our guilt is greater than God’s grace. He wants you to feel too dirty, too unworthy to be in God’s presence. Certainly, our sins are too much and too many for God to redeem, aren’t they?
   No, they are not! Surely and powerfully, the angel of the LORD, possibly the pre-incarnate Christ, announces forgiveness: “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” The sins are taken away, not placed in storage for later use, but they are taken away! What greater assurance do you need?
   Are we guilty? Yes, we are. Do we deserve forgiveness? No, we do not. Does God mercifully forgive our repentance? Yes, he does. By grace God saves, doesn’t he? (Ephesians 2). God so deeply loves us, he has snatched our burning souls from the fire. As a result, we can confidently go before him: 1 John 4:17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
   Praise God he has thrown off your dirty clothes to robe you in his truth and righteousness. Glory and praise to the LORD God Almighty!
  
 

Read Haggai 1-2, Zechariah 1:1-6
 
Haggai 1:1-3  On August 29 of the second year of King Darius’ reign, the LORD gave a message through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua (Joshua) son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 2 “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The people are saying, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’” 3 Then the LORD sent this message through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? 5 This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! 6 You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!”
 
AS you read the two chapters of Haggai, did you notice the three prophecies or, as some say, sermons? They were spoken in August, October and December. What was God’s message to Israel?
   In short, God told them, “Get to work, and I will bless you.” We have read how Darius of Persia had ordered the Temple to be built and Persia would pay much of the cost. But still construction had stopped. Zerubbabel, the Jews’ governor and Jeshua (Joshua), the priest, were not leading their people to rebuild. Instead the Jews were building their own homes.
   It seems the Jews learned little in the exile. Disobeying God’s commands sent them to Babylon. And then as they returned, God’s commands were again ignored.
   And what was the result? As before, God withheld his blessings. Reduced crops and economic struggles were the rule because they did not give to the LORD’s work.
   But unlike their ancestors, the Jews believed the prophet: Ezra 1:12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of God's people began to obey the message from the LORD their God. When they heard the words of the prophet Haggai, whom the LORD their God had sent, the people feared the LORD. 13 Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, gave the people this message from the LORD: “I am with you, says the LORD!”
   God’s faithfulness to his eternal purpose remained secure. He worked to restore his people to do his will. He graciously rebuked and forgave them. Once again the LORD invited prodigal Israel home into his blessed care.
   Following God is listening to his corrections, believing his encouragement and trusting his promises. It is living more and more into his purpose for your life. The good Father lovingly desired a close relationship with his people. They needed to do as he said. And so do you. 
 
Hebrews 10:24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

Read Ezra 4:6-6
 
Ezra 6:8 “Moreover, I hereby decree that you are to help these elders of the Jews as they rebuild this Temple of God. You must pay the full construction costs, without delay, from my taxes collected in the province west of the Euphrates River, so that the work will not be interrupted.”
 
A decree is an order. It must be obeyed. We will learn more of the unstoppable decree in the Persian culture in Esther’s story. Such an order from Persia’s leaders could be bad or good for the empire’s citizens. This good decree came from King Darius, a successor to King Cyrus, to confirm the Jews could rebuild the Temple, and Persia would pay for it!
   Today’s entire reading is another view of culture versus God’s kingdom. You might even see it as the government against the church. Although Cyrus had first permitted the Jews to return and rebuild their Temple, the local governors of Judah and surrounding territories objected. When Cyrus died, they stopped the work, concerned that a new Temple and Jerusalem would be a threat to peace.
   The Jews’ leaders, though, knew they had Persian’s law on their side. The good records in Persia’s government revealed Cyrus’ original permission and help for the Jews. The earlier decree could not be undone. The Jews could continue, and Persia would even help pay for the rebuilding! This should teach us to stand on the law when people persecute the church.
   The King of Kings has decreed a task for you. Remember, Jesus issued some decrees: 1) Matthew 16:18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” 2) John 2:19 “All right,” Jesus replied, “destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 3) Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 4) Luke 24:47 “It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’”
   The common culture has and will oppose God’s kingdom building until the end of time. The world sees the church as a threat to its security. Be assured, the King has issued his decrees. There is no one to stop his work from continuing if we remain faithful to know we work in the authority of the King’s word. The records of his Word are perfect. Let’s be sure to use them.
 

Read Daniel 10-12
 
Daniel 11:21 “The next to come to power will be a despicable man who is not in line for royal succession. He will slip in when least expected and take over the kingdom by flattery and intrigue…25 Then he will stir up his courage and raise a great army against the king of the south. The king of the south will go to battle with a mighty army, but to no avail, for there will be plots against him…27 Seeking nothing but each other’s harm, these kings will plot against each other at the conference table, attempting to deceive each other. But it will make no difference, for the end will come at the appointed time. 28 The king of the north will then return home with great riches. On the way he will set himself against the people of the holy covenant, doing much damage before continuing his journey.”
 
THIS prophecy refers to a Greek ruler named Antiochus IV. He was one of four Greek rulers to follow Alexander the Great. (Daniel 8:22 The four prominent horns that replaced the one large horn show that the Greek Empire will break into four kingdoms, but none as great as the first.)
   Antiochus was a contemptible ruler. He led a very powerful army to defeat and remove the prince of the covenant, which was a high priest ruling in Jerusalem. The angel then described Antiochus’ future conflict with Egypt, the king of the South.
   History tells us Antiochus won the war, but the two leaders, just as the angel said, would sit at the same table and lie to each other with their hearts bent on evil. In short, Antiochus didn’t get what he wanted. On his return from Egypt to Greece, Antiochus displayed his frustrations on the Jews when he desecrated the temple.
   One criticism of Daniel is its accuracy. Some say the book was written by historians attempting to demonstrate God’s sovereignty. Knowing what happened, they were able to write it as a prophecy. But there is much evidence for Daniel’s authorship around 600– 550 BC. Any attempt to discredit Daniel, is an attempt to minimize and discredit God.
   Be of faith to know what the LORD has done, so you know what he will do. Psalms 67:4 Let the whole world sing for joy, because you govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world.

Read Ezra 1-4:5
 
Ezra 1:1-3 In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the LORD fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: 2 this is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the LORD the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you!”
 
THINK for a moment of the considerable historic events God caused to happen from 607-535 BC. God had raised up Babylon to inflict his judgment on Judah and the surrounding nations. In 607 BC King Nebuchadnezzar began the Jews’ exile to Babylon when he took many of Judah’s brightest young men to Babylon. Daniel was among the first, and he lived in political captivity for 70  years. Still, the LORD used Daniel to be God’s visionary voice to the pagan nation, to Israel, to the world and to the church of Jesus Christ today. God also spoke through Jeremiah to foretell Babylon’s complete destruction. And we’ve read Ezekiel’s magnificent prophecies, including the image of God’s Living Water flowing from Jerusalem to the world.
   While the Jews were in exile, God prepared for their return through world empires. He formed Persia and the Medes, fulfilling his visions to Daniel, to become very powerful nations to the north of Babylon. From Persia came a ruler named Cyrus. His armies conquered Babylon. Suddenly a more benevolent nation ruled the Jews. Persia’s policy was to allow people to remain in their homeland and prosper for the good of t he empire. Cyrus opened the way for the Jews to go home 70 years – the time God had set – after the first men went to Babylon.
   God’s plan for this had been proclaimed for hundreds of years through the prophets Isaiah, Amos, Nahum, Jeremiah, Micah and others. Daniel read this promise in Jeremiah’s writings. There was a plan, and God completed it, just as he had completed Israel’s exodus from Egypt.
   Note this similarity of the exodus. The Jews were given much wealth as they left Egypt. The same happened here: Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem…7 King Cyrus himself brought out the articles that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the LORD’s Temple in Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his own gods…11 In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and silver. Sheshbazzar brought all of these along when the exiles went from Babylon to Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:4, 7, 11)
   Who is God? He is the Holy LORD God Almighty, who authors history to point to your salvation. He makes the plans and supplies the means for the plans to be fulfilled. He forms nations and kings to work for his kingdom good. The LORD made Jesus to be King of Kings, so you can live with the LORD forever.
   The history of the world is God’s story to bring his own unto himself.
 

Read Daniel 6       
 
Daniel 6:5 So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”
 
ONE of the most well-known stories of Jesus’ forgiveness comes in John 8:4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6a They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him.”  Centuries before those ruling Jews tried to use God’s law to discredit Jesus, Persian administrators attempted to use God’s law to condemn Daniel. Daniel’s and Jesus’ lives were each a vivid testimony of faithful living. Even their accusers’ sin-laden minds knew these God-empowered men would not depart from God’s law.
   This faith challenge for Christians is very real in our world today. I know in the U.S. and Canada – and perhaps other parts of the world – the Bible’s teachings, for example, against homosexuality, fornication and abortion are considered “hate speech.” Faithful Christians speaking their faith in God’s laws are deemed terrible, ignorant people. The culture deliberately uses Christians’ faith views to prevent promotions in their work, to ridicule them in the classrooms and to disrupt their businesses. In his book, “The Benedict Option” author Ron Dener warns about these plots against God’s faithful: “Everyone working for a major corporation will be shuffled through ‘diversity and inclusion’ training and will face pressure not simply to tolerate Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) co-workers but to affirm their sexuality and gender identity. Plus, companies that don’t abide by state and federal antidiscrimination statutes covering LGBTs will not be able to receive government contracts. In fact, according to one religious liberty litigator, the only thing standing between an employer or employee and a court action is the imagination of LGBT plaintiffs and their lawyers.” In other words, any sinner can plot against someone who speaks against his sin. Those who follow the Father of Lies can point a devil-guided finger and say, “Your obedience to the Bible is hateful to me.” And because too many people are ignorant of sin and its deadly consequences, the accusers will have their way.
   What are we to do? We know what Jesus and Daniel did. The Bible teaches us to stand firmly in God’s laws. Those laws tell you what is wrong and what is right. We speak against sin, and we speak forgiveness. We speak for right living, and we speak encouragement. We stand on truth against all opposition. We trust God will protect us as we put his Word above all things – even above death. We offer grace, and we teach salvation. We live in faith, and we live by faith. We pray for those who oppose us. And we pray for God’s strength to stand in his wisdom, honor and glory.
   Study God’s Word and know that his will is to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Luke 12:11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”