December 14, 2014
Let’s turn to 2 Thessalonians 1. No doubt some of the Christians in Thessalonica were being persecuted. Read vv. 7-12. I have been thinking of the way He came and laid aside His glory; but He has returned with greater glory, having purchased us for His bride. Those glories that He has attained He now shares with us. Read v. 12. We will be brought into it all. What a hope!
Hymn 215 - Happy they who trust in Jesus
Prayer
Nehemiah 4:1 - 23
We’ve seen Nehemiah building the walls of Jerusalem, and last time we saw all the names of the people who helped build those walls. There were even some families working together on the walls. But there were some people who were not happy about the walls being rebuilt. They tried to hinder the work. Sanballat was one of these men. He mocked the people building the wall. Tobiah also made fun of them, saying that if even a fox climbed the wall it would fall. But the people wouldn’t let this mocking bother them. They joined together to build the wall. They had a mind to work.
However, the enemy didn’t just walk away. They were angry. The mocking and laughing didn’t stop the Jews, so they gathered more people to help to stop them. They were going to fight against the Jews to try and hinder their work. The Jews now had to be both builders and defenders.
Nehemiah prayed and set certain men to be a watch for the enemy. He wanted to be prepared. They watched both day and night. Some of the builders were getting discouraged because the enemy had said they were going to sneak in and attack them by surprise. But Nehemiah encouraged the people to trust God. He reminded them that they were doing this for the generations that would follow them.
Understanding truth from God’s Word helps in our pathway of life. When people older than we are explain and teach us things from God’s Word, they help “build the wall” in our own lives.
They prayed and set a watch, and the work continued. Some people built the wall, while others held weapons to protect them. Some worked with one hand, and in the other hand they held a weapon. They all helped stand against the enemy. Similarly, God has work for us. We should serve Him with whatever He has given us.
Nehemiah also had a man with a trumpet. Sounding the trumpet told the people that the enemy had attacked, and directed them to the fight.
Nehemiah said no one was to leave Jerusalem. Everyone was to be ready at all time for the enemy. They worked during the day and guarded the city at night.
The enemy can get to us in many different ways. We must always be watching for him, but still be ready to do God’s work.
Acts 20:28-38
This story is sad but important. The Apostle Paul was near the end of life. He was special, because he had had laid the foundation for much Christian doctrine. He had testified to the gospel (v. 24), preached the kingdom of God (v. 25), and declared the whole counsel of God (v. 27).
Paul preached the gospel, which tells how God took us out of our depravity and set us in a large place. Paul also spoke of the Kingdom of God. This isn’t just the Millennial kingdom, but the fact that we’ve been brought under the rule and authority of God and the Lord. The counsel of God might refer to what some call “Paul’s Doctrine”. Paul first taught the fact of the One Body, and that the Church of God was a single unit. 1 Corinthians 3:6-17. His doctrine is good to have a grasp of.
There are those that God raises up to lead his flock, and those within the flock that need special help along the way. Overseeing the flock of God—feeding His sheep—is an important job, because you are tending God’s special possession; one that He sent His own Son down to earth to purchase with his blood. Those in Ephesus who were saved under Paul’s preaching found that they needed a new life under God’s authority, in His kingdom. After that, they were taught the counsels of God. These were then the men who were set over the Church. It was an important job.
Paul told these elders of Ephesus to “take heed.” Satan is always present, and he hates those who try to do the Lord’s will. The word of God stands sure, but the flock doesn’t always. Paul warned them that wolves were going to come, and other men arise from within the flock to destroy it. He was concerned that the people would be taught well, and that their leaders would be preserved. History is the sad tale of his predictions coming true from that day to this. May we strengthen the things that remain that are ready to die!
Paul then commended the Ephesians to God. Not to Timothy, or Titus, or Barnabas; but to God and the Word of His grace. Those two things are always under attack by the world, but may we always walk in their light!
Hymn 381 – I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold
Prayer