Fallen And Restored

For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.Hosea 3:4,5

This chapter is about Hosea reconciling with his adulteress wife. She loved another, other than Hosea. The Lord told him to show his love to her again. The Lord wanted Hosea to love his wayward wife like He loved wayward Israel. The same way the Lord loves Israel, even though they worship another, was the way Hosea was supposed to love his wife who loved someone else, who had been unfaithful. Verse four describes Israel’s fallen state, how they will live many days without a king or leader, without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests or an idol. A long time before there is any guidance from God. They are going to live a long time stripped of security and protection, without religion and comfort, godless and prayer less. Israel will not have the political and national leadership she needs. She will not have the spiritual service needed. There will be no supernatural guidance and direction.

However, verse five speaks of Israel’s return to God. It speaks of her restored state. In this time, the people of Israel will return to the Lord their God and follow Him. They will devote themselves to Him. In this time of political and spiritual disintegration, the people of Israel will return and devote themselves to the Lord again. This will mark Israel’s restoration. The restoration will not take place until they return to the Lord. This ultimately will be fulfilled in the millennial kingdom where Messiah rules over Israel. Israel has went without sacrifices, without the priesthood, etc. for many years, yet the Lord is going to restore these things to them when Messiah, Jesus Christ, comes again, sits on the throne of David, orders it, establishes it, in righteousness and judgement forever.

Take A Stand

Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And he made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand. So the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. (NKJV) 2 Chronicles 34:31,32

Josiah stood in the place reserved for the king. He promised before the Lord, to follow the Lord, and obey His commands, laws and decrees with all his heart and soul. He promised to obey all the laws and teachings that were written in the book. Then he asked the people of Jerusalem and Benjamin to make the same promise to obey the God their ancestors had worshiped. Josiah as the leader led the way. He took this seriously. Although Josiah had instituted spiritual reforms during his reign, the book of the law being found changed everything. Even though Josiah had been serving the Lord, the people followed but not with their whole heart. The spiritual reforms had only been on the surface. The people had turned on the surface to God but not with all of their hearts. This became evident to Josiah when the book of the law was read. Not only was Josiah convicted but he did something. He stood. He made a promise before the Lord, to follow Him with everything that was within him. He would obey everything written in the book. He stood. He took a stand for God. He wanted this for the people. He expected no less from them. He wanted them to take a stand for the Lord. He stood first as the leader, leading the way, being the example. He wanted them to take a stand too. They did! They took a stand to obey the Lord. They made the same promise as Josiah to obey the God their ancestors worshiped.

Are we willing to follow Him? Are we willing to obey Him with all that is within us? Is our service to Him only on the surface? Or have we turned to Him with our whole heart? Josiah followed the Lord, kept His commands and performed the words. He did not stop there. He challenged others to take a stand too for the Lord. Is this how we are living our lives for the Lord? Are we taking a stand for the Lord? Are we challenging others to take a stand for the Lord too? It seems we should be.

Stop Ignoring Him

The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. Therefore the Lord brought the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria against them, and they captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze chains and took him to Babylon. (NASB) 2Chronicles 33:10,11

Manasseh did not follow the Lord like his father had. He did many evil and wrong things against the Lord. He led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do wrong. They did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed ahead of the Israelites. At that time, as a leader, he was not a good example to the people. The Lord tried to warn Manasseh and his people about their sins, but they ignored the warning. They ignored God. They did not listen to the warnings God sent. God spoke and they would not listen. Then God directed the leaders of the troops of the King of Assyria to come after Manasseh. They put a hook in his nose, shackles on his feet, and took him off to Babylon.

No matter if people are godly leaders or not, the Lord will hold them accountable in the way they guide their people. Manasseh led his people to do wrong. The Lord was not pleased with him. This did not mean the people got off scot free because Manasseh was the one captured. It just means a leader has greater accountability before the Lord. This scenario sounds so much like the United States today. The Lord has sent warnings in His word to us about our sins. Our sins as a country and as a people. Our sins as a country, we seem to be ignoring. We seem to be not listening to God. We ignore God for the most part in this nation. Manasseh and his people ignored God, look what eventually happened. Why do we think it will not happen to us? Oh but we hear people say, “We are under grace! God does not deal with people today like He did in the Old Testament.” Do not be so sure! As a nation and as individuals, we cannot keep doing evil and think we will not be held accountable for it. We will. God warned Manasseh and his people. They ignored Him. So God got Manasseh’s attention. God is warning our leaders and this nation about our sins. Are we going to continue to ignore the warning? What more does the Lord need to do to get our attention? When are we going to turn as a nation, as a people from our sin and get right with God? Something to think about……

We Have The Lord !

Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.(KJV) 2 Chronicles 32:7,8

Hezekiah got all the people together in the streets of Jerusalem. He told them to be strong and brave. He did not want them to worry or be afraid. There was no need for them to be discouraged because of the King of Assyria or his mighty army. Hezekiah did not want the people to be intimidated by what the King of Assyria had. He told them there was more with them than with the King of Assyria. We have more on our side he told them. The one with us is greater than the one with him. With the King of Assyria is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. They only have men. We have the Lord. The people were encouraged by the words of Hezekiah.

We need to realize this as well. There is always more for us and with us than with the enemy. Take comfort in these words. As a follower of Christ we should never be afraid or terrified of the enemy. We need to be aware of the presence of God with us. We have the Lord our God. The enemy has the arm of flesh. We have got them outnumbered. We have got the Lord our God on our side. We have our God to help us and fight for us. The people were encouraged by the words of Hezekiah. We can be encouraged by them too. For the One with us is greater than the one with them. We have the Lord!

But God!

And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulcher. But God raised him from the dead:(KJV) Acts 13:29,30

Paul told those in the synagogue about the resurrected Christ. He explained that when those had done to Him all the Scriptures had said, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. Paul explained these things done to Him fulfilled what was foretold concerning His being buried. But God raised Him from the dead! This was the great truth that was to be preached. This was what Paul had been building up to in his explanation of God’s work in history ends up in Christ. Mankind had done their best to fight against God even to the point to kill Him. But God! God interrupted man’s plan. But God was greater than man’s sin and rebellion. He rose in victory over and death.

Paul’s sermon worked toward the resurrected Christ. Why? The resurrection was essential to salvation because a dead Savior can save no one. They always came around to the central theme of the message, the resurrection of Christ. Christ’s resurrection proved His deity, which proved the validity of His atoning death. This is what separates Jesus Christ from all others. Others who were laid in tombs are still there! But God raised Jesus Christ from the dead! He is alive! Give your heart and life to Christ today! Serve the risen Savior, Jesus Christ!

Whosoever

To Him all the prophets testify (bear witness) that everyone who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him, giving himself up to Him] receives forgiveness of sins through His name.(AMP) Acts 10:43

Peter preached to Cornelius’ household that Christ was the one all the prophets testified about. Everyone of the prophets said it was true about Christ. All who have faith in Christ with have their sins forgiven in His name. All who believe in Him. Everyone! Peter wanted Cornelius’ household to know this was something the prophets spoke about, that God would grant the forgiveness of sins through their believing in Christ. Peter concluded his talk with an understanding of the wide scope of God’s promise of salvation. No one is left out. However, there were some facts Peter wanted to make clear. Forgiveness of sins is in the name of Christ. Forgiveness of sins is only given on condition of belief in Christ, that is, trust in His name. Whosoever believes in this manner, Jew or Gentile, will receive forgiveness of sins.

Today, the same holds true. No one is exempt. God still grants the forgiveness of sins through believing in Christ. It has nothing to do with being a good person. It has nothing to do with good works. Forgiveness of sins is through faith in Jesus Christ. No matter if we are a Jew or Gentile. Black or white. Rich or poor. God’s promise of salvation is for everyone, all who believe in Christ. So whosoever believes in Christ, adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him, giving themselves up to Him, receives forgiveness of sins through His name. Do not delay! Today is the day of salvation! Now is the accepted time! Accept Christ today!

Preparation

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.(NKJV) Daniel 9:1-3

Darius became king of Babylon. During his first year as king, Daniel found out from studying the writings of the prophets that the Lord had said to Jeremiah, Jerusalem would lie in ruins for seventy years. Daniel studied, he read the Scriptures. He was a diligent student of the Scriptures. He understood something from reading the words of Jeremiah. Through his study of the Scriptures, Daniel knew the years described and his knowledge of the times caused him to know these passages applied to his time. He might not have known this to be true had he not been a student of the Scriptures. Not only was Daniel a diligent student of the Scriptures,he knew prayer was important as well. He knew effective prayer came out of studying along with knowing and praying both the Scriptures and his present circumstances. So Daniel set himself aside for a time of serious prayer and waiting on God and seeking God for the nation. He set his face. He turned to God. Daniel was determined. He approached God with such determination and confidence. He was not going to be denied as he set his face toward the Lord because he was convinced what he was doing was in the will of God. His determination was not for some weak, wimpy selfish desire. Daniel was not passive in his approach to God. He made a request. He asked the Lord. While Daniel was not passive in his approach to God, he was humble. His fasting, sackcloth and ashes showed Daniel’s humility in coming to God. Daniel was determined to do whatever need be to get the job done in prayer. He did everything he knew to come before God in a way that pleased Him. What an example!

Are we following Daniel’s example? Do we say we are too busy? Daniel was a government official who more than likely had a very busy schedule. However, he took the time to study the Scriptures and pray. He took the time to be a diligent student of the Scriptures. We have no excuse. Daniel had an understanding and an application of the Scriptures. We need to as well. Like Daniel, we need to be diligent students of the Scripture who build our prayer life on God’s word. Daniel had a knowledge of the times along with his knowledge of the Scriptures. This is how he knew how to pray effectively. We definitely, have to get back to Daniel’s way of life and his preparation for prayer. It is time for us to be serious students of God’s word who are determined in prayer coming in humility to God.

Immediate Obedience

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (KJV) Acts 8:29

Phillip was told by the Spirit to go to an Ethiopian man in his chariot. The Spirit of God told Phillip to do something and without hesitation Phillip did it. Saul had persecuted the church. When the persecution came, the church scattered. This resulted in the gospel getting out to the surrounding areas. The church had been touched by Christ and were eager to minister to others. They ministered in a greater measure since the persecution from Saul. The Spirit spoke to Phillip. He could have objected. He could have disobeyed. He could have told the Spirit he was busy. However, Phillip did not. He obeyed immediately what the Spirit spoke to him. He was submissive to God’s Spirit. He had his heart open to listen to what God’s Spirit might say.

Do we obey the Spirit of God without hesitation? Do we have our ear attune to hear what the Spirit is saying? Or do we object or disobey what the Spirit tells us? Often hear people say they do not hear the Spirit of God speak to them. Well, He speaks to us through His word. Sometimes, we do not want to hear what the Spirit is saying because we are living in sin. We do not want to open ourselves up to the convicting power of the Spirit so we do not read the Bible. We do not have our ear attune to hear what the Spirit says. We must become like Phillip. We must listen and obey what the Spirit is saying. Phillip obeyed immediately. There was no hesitation. This resulted in a saved soul. We need to obey immediately the Spirit too when He speaks.

Ancient Of Days

“I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.(NKJV) Daniel 7:9,10

This was Daniel’s vision of the Ancient of Days and all the splendor and glory that surrounded the Ancient of Days throne. Daniel watched as thrones were put in place. The Ancient of Days was seated. The Ancient of Days is God. His garments which were white as snow and his head like pure wool point to the eternal character of God. In Daniel’s vision, God sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, and a river of fire poured out flowing from His presence. This showed God’s magnificence as well as His burning judgement. Thousands upon thousands of angels ministered to Him. This described the countless number of angels which surrounded the throne of God. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. These who stood before Him described people standing before God in judgement. The court was seated, and the books were opened. This was the judgement of God on those who rejected Christ.

Daniel’s vision describes God’s throne and the glory of His throne along with the imminent judgement on the kingdom of man. Whether we want to believe this or not, it does not matter. This is what is going to take place. We will stand before God, the Ancient of Days, one day soon. There is no getting around this. Money and influence will not be a factor in one’s dismissal from this event. Everyone will stand before Him. Better to stand before the Ancient of Days being a Christ acceptor than standing before Him as a Christ rejector. Those who reject Christ will spend eternity separated from God. This is forever folks! It will not be a party either. It will be a place of sorrow, darkness, weeping, gnashing of teeth, a place of torment, to name a few things. This sounds like a party? Again, this will be forever for those who reject Christ. Turn to the Ancient of Days who sent Christ to die for our sins. Ask Christ to come in your heart and life! He will! He is just waiting for you to ask! Do it today!

Integrity

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.(KJV) Daniel 6:4

A plan was sought by the other men who tried to find something wrong with the way Daniel did his work for the king. They tried to find reasons to accuse Daniel about his work. They searched for some fault in the way Daniel handled the government affairs. They thought there must be something in Daniel’s life they could use against him. They could not dig up anything. They could not find anything to criticize or condemn Daniel. They could not find anything wrong with him or any reason to accuse him. Why was this? Daniel was honest and faithful and did everything he was supposed to do. He was trustworthy and not lazy or dishonest. He was faithful and always responsible and completely trustworthy. They could find no evidence of negligence or misconduct. He was totally exemplary and trustworthy. Did this mean Daniel was perfect, without sin? No, but he was a man of great integrity.

So how does our life compare? Can this be said of us? Are we honest and faithful and do everything we are supposed to do? Are we trustworthy and not lazy or dishonest? Are we faithful and always responsible? Are our lives exemplary? Are we people of great integrity? Can others find something wrong with the way we do our jobs? Can others find something wrong with the way we live our lives? Daniel was faithful and honest and did everything he was supposed to do. We should too! Let’s be men and women of integrity!