MEN
OF COURAGE!-Ezra
1
Ezra 1:1: "...That the
word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled..."
Jeremiah
25:11. " And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an
astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy
years."
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
Isaiah
44:28. "That saith of Cyrus, He is my
shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou
shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid."
God's Word must be fulfilled. God's
prophesies about Cyrus was within the context of a bigger picture- of the
temple being rebuilt for the coming of the Messiah. Like Cyrus here, there is
something written about each of our men, and, not just for them but within the
context of a bigger picture- The return of the Messiah.
Ezra 1:1. "...that he made a proclamation
throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying..."
King Cyrus put his proclamation in writing
for record purposes. He wrote this around 2,500 years ago and it is still with
us today. A man wanting in documenting God's dealings with him is a man who
does not intend to go further than his human brain and mind would let him. A
man of great limitations!
Ezra 1:2-3. "Who is
there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem,
which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel,
(he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem."
To answer God's call to build is a call to go up, not down. It is a promotion. The pursuit of
wealth and material provision is usually referred to as going down, e.g. Abram
to Egypt. But God's call is an upward
journey.
Also, King Cyrus kept repeating about the
God who is in Jerusalem, not the one who dwells in the forests, in the sea, in
the rock, etc. All other gods are man-made and they dwell in odd places. But
the God who dwells in Jerusalem, "HE IS THE GOD." Even though at
that time, Jerusalem was desolate and without a temple, but her God is the God.
Our men must be convinced that their God is sovereign over all, the present
challenges that surround His deity in our world notwithstanding. They cannot
labour selflessly until they are thus persuaded.
Ezra 1:4. "And whosoever remaineth in any place where
he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold,
and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of
God that is in Jerusalem."
Even the material provision to do the work
was not a problem. People were compelled to give abundantly. The fear of lack
in God's labour must be dislodged from the hearts of our men as they begin to
arise. They will not be like Elimelech who ruined a glorious destiny because of
the fear of lack.
ü
Lord,
there is something written about each of our men. Help them all to discover
Your purpose for their lives in this end time revival.
ü
Help
them know that Your purpose for their lives is not for a selfish end. Please
help them see the bigger picture and submit to Your will in achieving this.
ü
Please
do not allow Your end time purpose for revival to be truncated at their end.
ü
Help
them to commit Your dealings with them to documentation so they can have
reference points in the future, especially when the enemy comes to challenge
their authority to arise and to build.
ü
Do
not let them approach the task of building God's temple in men's hearts lazily
but to put in their all and build altars to their encounters that will outlive
them.
ü
May
they see Your call on their lives as a going up, a promotion. May they not
reduce Your great call to the level of material provision like Elimelech.
ü
Let
our men be convinced beyond all doubts that You are the sovereign God,
challenges notwithstanding. May the present distress not erase the fact that
You are the only God, and that You have a dwelling place- in their hearts,
their Jerusalem.
ü
Do
not allow the fear of lack to shut the door of going up to build against our
men. Make them men of faith, men of
grace, men of truth, men of courage, and men of love for our God. Amen.
O Lord Cause Our
Men To Arise Now!
Rise Up O Men Of God
(tune: "Breathe on Me Breath of God)
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.
2. Rise up, O men of God!
The kingdom tarries long.
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.
The kingdom tarries long.
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.
3. Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great!
4. Rise
up, O men of God
The
trumpet call obey
Your
Master says “I’M COMING SOON”
Rise up
and make Him known
5. Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!
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