Our Secret Weapon

Daily Reading: Ezra 3

They set the altar in its place, for fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening (Ezra 3.3)

Devotional Thought: I remember - with some ambivalence - the 70's, 80's, and 90's when the Moral Majority was in full swing - the boycotts, the voter guides, the political clout.  In some ways those were good days.  Life seemed simpler.  People seemed to be listening.  But I wonder if we lost something.  When we took up the world's weapons, did we forfeit the Father's blessings?

I don't have the answer to that.  I know it's not that simple.  I do notice in Ezra, however, that when the people of God were fearful "because of the peoples of the lands," the first thing they did was "set the altar in its place... and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord."  They somehow recognized that their first line of defense was not the government, not King Cyrus who had sent them to do this very thing.  They knew that their real shelter was in God.  So they worshiped him.  They offered their prayers and praise to him.

Later, we see this principle reinforced when Ezra would not ask the king for protection, instead praying and fasting for divine favor on their journey (Ezra 8).  In the New Testament we find the church, facing persecution for their faith, going to the Lord in prayer rather than petitioning government for relief (Acts 4).  The Apostle Paul wrote: "Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10.3-4).

Where are you placing your trust?

Prayer: Lord, we know that the legal system is there to help us navigate the injustices of the world.  But, help me always to remember that true, everlasting hope is in you alone.  When this world's systems fail, help me to trust in you.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 94:16-23

16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

17 Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.

18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.

19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you— a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?

21 The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.

22 But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

23 He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the LORD our God will destroy them.