“Strengthen and Fortify One Another – 12-13-15”
(Bearing the Cup, or Burden of the King)
Nehemiah 1:1 The words or story of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: Now in the month of Chislev in the twentieth year [of the Persian king], as I was in the castle of Shushan, 2 Hanani, one of my kinsmen, came with certain men from Judah, and I asked them about the surviving Jews who had escaped exile, and about Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, The remnant there in the province who escaped exile are in great trouble and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its [fortified] gates are destroyed by fire. 4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept and mourned for days and fasted and prayed [constantly] before the God of heaven, 5 And I said, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, Who keeps covenant, loving-kindness, and mercy for those who love Him and keep His commandments, 6 Let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to listen to the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You day and night for the Israelites, Your servants, confessing the sins of the Israelites which we have sinned against You. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. 8 Remember [earnestly] what You commanded Your servant Moses: If you transgress and are unfaithful, I will scatter you abroad among the nations; 9 But if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the farthest part of the heavens [the expanse of outer space], yet will I gather them from there and will bring them to the place in which I have chosen to set My Name. 10 Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere and fear Your name (Your nature and attributes); and prosper, I pray You, Your servant this day and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was cupbearer to the king. AMPC
Ezra 7:27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers [said Ezra], Who put such a thing as this into the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, 28 And Who has extended His mercy and steadfast love to me before the king, his counselors, and all the king’s mighty officers. I was strengthened and encouraged, for the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together outstanding men of Israel to go with me to Jerusalem.
Isaiah 22 The Message (MSG)“The Valley of Vision” –
(The Testing of the hearts and minds of the people to make a people into His army)
22:1-3 A Message concerning the Valley of Vision: What’s going on here anyway? All this partying and noisemaking, Shouting and cheering in the streets, the city noisy with celebrations! You have no brave soldiers to honor, no combat heroes to be proud of. Your leaders were all cowards, captured without even lifting a sword, A country of cowards captured escaping the battle. 4-8 In the midst of the shouting, I said, “Let me alone. Let me grieve by myself. Don’t tell me it’s going to be all right. These people are doomed. It’s not all right.” For the Master, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, is bringing a day noisy with mobs of people, Jostling and stampeding in the Valley of Vision, knocking down walls and hollering to the mountains, “Attack! Attack!” Old enemies Elam and Kir arrive armed to the teeth—weapons and chariots and cavalry. Your fine valleys are noisy with war, chariots and cavalry charging this way and that. God has left Judah exposed and defenseless.
(They search for stability and protection instead of surrendering to Gods will, plans, and purpose)
8-11 You assessed your defenses that Day, inspected your arsenal of weapons in the Forest Armory. You found the weak places, breeches, and breaks in the city walls that needed repair. You secured the water supply at the Lower Pool. You took an inventory of the houses in Jerusalem and tore down some to get bricks to strengthen and fortify the city wall. You built a large cistern to ensure plenty of water. You looked and looked and looked, but you never looked to him who gave you this city, never once consulted the One who has long had plans for this city. 12-13 The Master, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, called out on that Day, Called for a day of repentant tears, called you to dress in somber clothes of mourning. But what do you do? You throw a party! Eating and drinking and dancing in the streets! You barbecue bulls and sheep, and throw a huge feast- slabs of meat, kegs of beer. “Seize the day! Eat and drink! Tomorrow we die!” 14 God-of-the-Angel-Armies whispered to me his verdict on this frivolity: “You’ll pay for this outrage until the day you die.” The Master, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, says so.
(The Key of the Davidic Heritage is being given to the Father/Leaders to build and fortify His people)
15-19 The Master, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, spoke: “Come. Go to this steward, Shebna, who is in charge of all the king’s affairs, and tell him: What’s going on here? You’re an outsider here and yet you act like you own the place, make a big, fancy tomb for yourself where everyone can see it, making sure everyone will think you’re important. God is about to sack you, to throw you to the dogs. He’ll grab you by the hair, swing you round and round dizzyingly, and then let you go, sailing through the air like a ball, until you’re out of sight. Where you’ll land, nobody knows. And there you’ll die, and all the stuff you’ve collected heaped on your grave. You’ve disgraced your master’s house! You’re fired—and good riddance! 20-24 “On that Day I’ll replace Shebna. I will call my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah. I’ll dress him in your robe. I’ll put your belt on him. I’ll give him your authority. He’ll be a father-leader to Jerusalem and the government of Judah. I’ll give him the key of the Davidic heritage. He’ll have the run of the place—open any door and keep it open, lock any door and keep it locked. I’ll pound him like a nail into a solid wall. He’ll secure the Davidic tradition. Everything will hang on him—not only the fate of Davidic descendants but also the detailed daily operations of the house, including cups and cutlery. 25 “And then the Day will come,” says God-of-the-Angel-Armies, “when that nail will come loose and fall out, break loose from that solid wall—and everything hanging on it will go with it.” That’s what will happen. God says so.
Revelation 3:7-20 Expanded Bible (EXB)
(The access to the King and to His Council is given)
7 “Write this to the angel [messenger; see 1:20] of the church in Philadelphia [a city in the Roman province of Lydia in western Asia Minor]: “This is what the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David [the resurrected Jesus; holding the key of David signifies access to the king; Is. 22:22], says. When he opens a door, no one can close it. And when he closes it, no one can open it [Jesus controls access to God]. 8 I know what you do [your works]. I have put an open door before you, which no one can close.
(The plans and purposes of God will build up His people in the midst of adversity)
I know you have little strength [power], but you have obeyed my teaching [kept my word] and were not afraid to speak [ have not denied] my name. 9 Those in the synagogue that belongs to Satan [of Satan] say they are Jews, but they are not true Jews; they are liars. I will make them come before you and bow at your feet, and they will know [acknowledge; learn] that I have loved you. 10 You have obeyed my teaching [kept my word] about not giving up your faith [endurance; perseverance]. So I will keep you from the time [hour] of trouble [trial; testing] that will come [or is about to come] to the whole world to test those who live on earth. 11 “I am coming soon [quickly]. Continue strong in your faith [Hold on to what you have] so no one will take away your crown [ wreath indicating honor or victory; 2:10]. 12 I will make those who win the victory [overcome; conquer] pillars in the temple of my God [ an image of stability and security close to the glory of God], and they will never have to leave it [frequent earthquakes often forced Philadelphians to live outdoors].
(The Imprinting of God within them- 3 names- 3 parts to our being)
I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, that comes down out of heaven from my God [the believers’ eternal dwelling place; see chs. 21—22]. I will also write on them my new name. 13 Everyone who has ears should listen to [hear; obey] what the Spirit says to the churches.
- Susan O'Marra
- 12-13-15
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