At
the heart of the rebuilding of the Temple, there was worship -"With
praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: 'He is good; His love to
Israel endures for ever" (Ezra 3:11). Those who worship the Lord are
set within the context of a world that refuses to worship Him: "The
rest of mankind ... did not stop worshipping demons" (Revelation 9:20).
Even when the call to conversion is sounded out clearly and often, we
must reckon with the fact that many will refuse to come to Christ for
salvation. His way is still the narrow way, while many take the broad
way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). Part of God's Word to
today's world is a word of rebuke: "If you have played the fool and
exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hands over your
mouth!" (Proverbs 30:32). Stop answering back! Stop protesting against
the Lord! Start listening to the Lord! Listen to His Word! The Lord
has much to say to this generation, if only the people would listen. If
the word of rebuke is heeded, perhaps, there will be a real opening
for the word of salvation.
What God did for His people, Israel, was very great. There is a striking contrast between their slavery in Egypt and their abundance in the promised land. God had multiplied His blessing upon them, just as Jesus did when He turned water into wine (John 2:1-11). If the blessing is to be maintained and increased, we must honour the Lord. We must cry to Him for blessing: "Hear my prayer, O God, listen to the words of my mouth." We must call upon Him with faith: "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the One who sustains me" (Psalm 54:2,4).
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