Thurs.’s Devo - The New Foundation is Laid

Read: Ezra 2- 4:5; 1 Chron. 3: 19b - 24
Close to 50,000 exiles returned to Jerusalem to build the new Temple and make Jerusalem their home. They rebuilt the altar to sacrifice on but nothing in mentioned about the ark. We haven’t heard of the ark since the reign of Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. It has been missing since that time and has yet to surface. The truth is that the presence of God is not restricted to a golden box but we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit and the presence of the Lord rests in us. We can close the lid or open it up and let him flow out of us and change everyone we are around. We have that power in us - Christ.
Look at the strategy of the enemy. First they try to lie and get them to include them in the work. That looks like coexistence to me. When the Israelites say no, their true colors come out and they are bent on stopping them.
Interestingly, when the foundation was finished many cried for excitement and many cried because it didn’t look like the last one. We can not be these people who cry over the past. God is doing a new thing and we need to readjust our thinking and see through spiritual eyes. We have to have new wineskins.
I woke up with an urgency to pray for our nation. I have heard the dooming prophecies about out nation but we are not to just stand by and watch thinking it is God’s will. God allows us to see what the enemy is doing so we will pray and intercede and stop him. God tells his prophets what he is about to do so he can see our reaction. If we humble ourselves and pray, He will heal. If we repent, He will heal. Our enemy is not flesh and blood but principalities and powers and we have been given authority over them. We can pray the heart of God which is to have mercy and bring healing. I pray this for America. I pray that God will bring to light every scheme that the devil has concocted and planned. Lord, reveal what is in secret and shine your light so all the world can see. Open the eyes of your people so they will mount on their horse and fight. Teach us to pray!