God's old, new way

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post in the archives, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Ps 61, 62, 68; Neh 12:27-47; Rev 11; Mt 13:44-52

Lord, I cry to You in my remoteness and weakness: lead me, Lord, to Yourself, my rock of refuge. Shelter me with Your love and power, as I sing Your praise. Alone, my soul waits for only God; abiding with Him, I will not be greatly dislocated. The world and flesh and devil are relentless in seeking to undermine and overthrow me; they take pleasure in lies and in dishonor. But I will trust in God at all times; God is my Refuge. I put no confidence in mortals, none in crime or in riches. Power is found in God alone; God will enable me to do good work—His work! So: let God arise and scatter His enemies, like smoke in a hurricane, like wax melting in a flame—in this way, let God’s enemies perish. And let us sing His praise: Father of the orphan, Protector of widows; Host to the homeless; Deliverer of captives; Trail Boss of the homeward exodus. Nature quakes before His power; mighty captains tremble in fear; great mountains and spiritual hosts are subject to Him. Blessed be YHWH, Who daily bears us up, our Savior; to Him belongs escape from death. Solemn processions worship Him; bless God in the assembly of the faithful! Lord, show Your might and destroy Your enemies. Let all creation sing praise to our God; ascribe to Him power and majesty, strength and dominion. Blessed be our God!

When the new wall of Jerusalem was dedicated, all the Levites were gathered to Jerusalem; all the singers gathered to the holy city. And the priests and Levites purified themselves and the people and the city’s gates and walls. They assembled in two companies, one led by Ezra, the other by Nehemiah, and they circled the city atop the newly-built walls. They worshiped, praised and rejoiced all that day—Jerusalem’s joy could be heard from far away! Keepers were appointed over the store chambers, the offerings and tithes, and Judah rejoiced over her ministers. And they in turn performed the service of their God; they followed the guidance provided by their ancestors David and Solomon—worshiping in order and providing for the singers, gatekeepers, priests and Levites and descendants of Aaron.

John was given a measuring rod and directed to measure the temple of God, but not the court of the Gentiles. God’s messenger also told John about two witnesses, whom God would empower to prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth. During that time, they had divine power to protect themselves—if anyone sought to harm them, ‘fire pours from their mouth and consumers their foes.’ God gave them power to control rain, to turn waters to blood, and to call down plagues on the earth, as often as they might desire. When their testimony was completed, the beast warred against them, conquered and killed the two prophets of God. Their bodies lay in the streets of the city where their Lord was crucified; they went unburied for three and a half days, and the enemies of God rejoiced, because the two prophets had been a torment to the earthy ones. But after 3 ½ days, God’s pneuma entered them and they were raised again. Terror fell upon those who saw this. A voice called them up to heaven, and they ascended in a cloud. At that hour, a great earthquake struck the city; a tenth of its buildings fell; seven thousand died in the quake, and the rest gave glory to the God of heaven. A herald angel trumpeted, and loud heavenly voices announced: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He shall reign for ever and ever.’ The twenty-four elders fell facedown in worship and said: ‘We thank You, Lord God Almighty, Who is and Who was, that You have taken Your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but Your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, for rewarding Your servants, the prophets and saints and those, great and small, who fear Your name; and the time for destroying the destroyers of the earth.’ Then God’s heavenly temple was opened, and the ark of His covenant could be seen within the temple; and there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

Jesus’ parables continue: ‘Heaven’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field: a man found it and covered it up again, and in joy, he sells all he has and uses the proceeds to buy that field and its treasure. It is also like a merchant searching for fine pearls: he found one of surpassing value and sold all he had and bought that pearl. And heaven’s kingdom is like a net thrown into the sea: it gathered fish of every kind, and when it was full, men drew it ashore and sorted the good into vessels and threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age: angels will come forth and separate the evil from the righteous. They will throw evil mortals into the furnace of fire, where men will wee and gnash their teeth.’ Jesus asked: ‘Have you understood all this?’ His listeners said ‘Yes,’ and He said ‘Therefore every scribe trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure both what is new and what is old.’