“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’ Ezra 1:2-4
Israel hadn’t gathered in the temple for 70 years. Now they can return. Can you imagine hearing this news? It isn’t exactly the same as what we have experienced (there are some critical differences). But there are similarities. A time separated from each other. From the activities that God created us for. A period of waiting. A sense of loss.
But now it has been decreed… we can return. We can meet again. The gathering of God’s people, in God’s name and for His praise is where heaven meets earth. It’s both the greatest help for God’s people and the greatest privilege. Let’s rejoice and look forward to gathering as God’s Church.
Questions
Have you missed gathering physically?
What do you most look forward to when we can meet?
Pray: praise God for His faithfulness, that we can gather together and no longer be separated. Give thanks for His Church and ask that we wouldn’t treat the physical gathering lightly.
S.O.S. - The Return
“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’ Ezra 1:2-4
Israel hadn’t gathered in the temple for 70 years. Now they can return. Can you imagine hearing this news? It isn’t exactly the same as what we have experienced (there are some critical differences). But there are similarities. A time separated from each other. From the activities that God created us for. A period of waiting. A sense of loss.
But now it has been decreed… we can return. We can meet again. The gathering of God’s people, in God’s name and for His praise is where heaven meets earth. It’s both the greatest help for God’s people and the greatest privilege. Let’s rejoice and look forward to gathering as God’s Church.
Questions
Pray: praise God for His faithfulness, that we can gather together and no longer be separated. Give thanks for His Church and ask that we wouldn’t treat the physical gathering lightly.