Friday, July 12, 2002
Friday, July 12, 2002
Shecaniah son of Jehiel, of the descendants of Elam, addressed Ezra, saying,
"We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the
land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.
Why? Because you are crowded out. Jesus resolved that this should never be. It was
necessary that he go away so that the Spirit could come and make God known in the heart of
every believer.
Love, truth, Christ's presence through the power of the Holy Spirit--these are the keys to
avoiding a life of hopelessness. He has promised us a Counselor, a Comforter, an eternal
Witness to Himself. The Holy Spirit is available to all who would receive it.
(Ezra 10.2
NRSV)
"Suppose," says Drummond, "suppose He had not gone away; suppose He were here now.
Suppose He were still in the Holy Land, at Jerusalem. Every ship that started for the East
would be crowded with Christian pilgrims. Every train flying through Europe would be thronged
with people going to see Jesus. Every mail-bag would be full of letters from those in difficulty
and trial. Suppose you are in one of those ships. The port, when you arrive after the long
voyage, is blocked with vessels of every flag. With much difficulty you land, and join one of the
long trains starting for Jerusalem. Far as the eye can reach, the caravans move over the
desert in an endless stream. As you approach the Holy City you see a dark, seething mass
stretching for leagues and leagues between you and its glittering spires. You have come to
see Jesus; but you will never see Him."
Lord Jesus, thank you for paving the way for God's Holy Spirit to empower my life with hope.
Amen.
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