Consequences of Consecration

Meditation from Ezra Chapter 6

In this chapter we see that amidst oppositions the house of God is completed & dedicated. It's the dedication of the lives of the people that led to the dedication of the temple.

1. Prophecy - When the work stopped Ezra says that through the prophecy of Haggai & Zechariah the Jews built & prospered (6:14). What did they prophesy?

a) Warning against Lethargy : When faced with obstacles the people of God stopped work & became lethargic; that they were hurrying to their houses & were doing their personal works & did not prioritise God's work. (Haggai 1:4,9)

Listening to the warning they feared the Lord, obeyed His voice & stirred by the Lord they worked in the house of the LORD. (Haggai 1:12,14).

b) Warning against Unholiness : Joshua is seen with unclean attire & accused by satan. The Lord removed the filthiness & exhorted him to 'walk in the ways of God' (Zechariah 3:3-7).

c) Spirit & Grace Dependency : Zerubbabel is exhorted to depend on the Spirit of God and not his might or power and that the mountainous task will be completed by grace. (Zechariah 4:6,7).
We are exhorted to be led by the Spirit.
Grace = Humility; that is, the more we humble ourselves, the more we receive God's grace.

2. Providence - When the people of God consecrate themselves the Lord, His providence is experienced.

a) Obstacles Removed : The Lord uses the king that the opposers are warned to keep away from disturbing the work (6:6,7).

b) Provisions : Those who opposed & placed obstacles are now ordered to provide all necessary resources, so that the work may not stop (6:8,9).

c) Protection : The opposers & problem makers are warned to not harm the people of God and that they will be punished if they create trouble (6:11).

3. Personal Consecration -
The people of God responded to the prophecy,

a) Repentance : They offered the sacrifices for sin which signifies repentance. That is, to turn back from doing that which is displeasing to God. (6:17). And to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God.

b) Restoration of Holiness : Everyone purified themselves and separated themselves from the pollutions of the world (6:20,21).

4. Pay Off - The Consecration of God's people paid off good results. (6:22)

a) Joy : The Lord made them joyful.

b) Work : Their hands were strengthened to do the work.

c) Turned : The Lord turned the heart of the king, who supposedly should oppose, to them that he helped them.

When we consecrate our lives to the Lord, to be separated from the ways of the world and to walk in the ways of the Lord, our hearts will be filled with joy, our hands will be strengthened to serve and enemies will be turned to the Lord and to support His work.

Today's Intercession :

# Pray for Augustine Uncle, the General Secretary of GEMS, for his good health.

# Pray for GEMS MK Aman who met with road accident in Patna that he may recover soon. Pray that he will be strengthened to write the 12th board exams.

# Pray for the protection and good health of all missionaries and GEMS staff.

Have a blessed day and blessed weekend!