Mon.’s Devo - The Supreme God of Heaven and Earth

Read: Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23
The book of Ezra is a testimony to the sovereign power God has over his earth. He is in control of every kingdom and every king. In the first year of Cyrus’ reign over Persia, he moved Cyrus to fund a rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Amazing! Jerusalem was nothing more than a heap of stones, uninhabited and seemingly forgotten. Cyrus sent as many Jews as wanted to return back to Jerusalem with all the articles that had been stolen from the temple. This was the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy (Jeremiah 30:3, 33:7).
In Cyrus’ address he called God the God of heaven, not the God not the Hebrews. He knew that God reigned supreme over the whole earth and he was subject to him.
In the list of those who returned we see the names of Nehemiah who would lead the rebuilding of the walls and Mordechia who would foster queen Esther in years to come.
When they reached Jerusalem, many of the people gave offerings and gold to help pay for the rebuilding of the temple. The people returned to their home towns and began living as citizens of their own country.
In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth he goes to great lengths to try to explain God’s upside down kingdom. It looks like foolishness to the Greeks whose god was wisdom. And, it looked foolish to the Jews who were looking for a sign while they missed every blatant sign that God sent them. God chose people who were not the rich, important, gifted or lovely. He chose the ones who had soft hearts to believe. This also made the gospel look foolish to the world.
Paul, himself did not come as an eloquent speaker who was gifted in worldly wisdom. He came in weakness and fear, but God demonstrated through him his mighty power.
God’s power mixed with our faith is an unstoppable force that should dispel fear in us. We are more than conquerors in Christ.
Lord, remind us of who we are and who we belong to that we might demonstrate your power on the earth and many might come to believe in you.