RIDING THE WAVES OF DISCOURAGEMENT

RIDING THE WAVES OF DISCOURAGEMENT

(Old Testament book of Ezra)

The Israelites were captives in Babylon,

Where God was punishing them.

When Cyrus, the king, inspired by God,

Let them go to Jerusalem.

He returned the golden vessels,

Carried off by a former king.

So 50,000 returned to their homeland,

Two hundred of them could sing.

The foundations were laid in the second year;

They were dedicated with joy.

But then their adversaries,

Made it their job to annoy.

Their enemies offered their help while saying,

They seek God and they sacrifice.

But the people were wise to their lies;

They knew they were not making nice.

Others discouraged the workers;

They said things to make them afraid.

They hired counselors to work against them,

As the stones were being laid.

They tried to frustrate their plans;

Accusations were made against them.

Then they took their case to the king,

And managed to deceive him.

God's people waited for a new king,

Then the situation was repeated.

This time the king found Cyrus’s decree,

So they were no longer mistreated.

He decreed they must not be disturbed,

And exempted them from tributes.

He supplied all their needs for offerings,

For the people to distribute.

God is a God of forgiveness;

He offers hope and restoration.

When remorse and repentance are shown,

He responds to the man or the nation.

Becky Wall

NOTE: This story happened thousands of years ago, but it seems the same scenarios have repeated through the ages. We may run into situations like this at work, while trying to do a good deed, or at home. Discouragement can even happen at church. As a matter of fact, the devil's primary target are church people that love the Lord. He doesn't have to worry as much about those outside the church. He has them where he wants them. Within the church, he focuses on the weak ones to stunt or eliminate any growth in their relationship with Christ. That's why it is important to stand firm, no matter what.

MISERY FROM A - Z

Jeremiah used the 22 Hebrew letters to shape the first four chapters but not the 5th chapter. It compares to using our alphabet from A-Z to express the extent of his misery.

MISERY FROM A to Z

(Based on Lamentations)

Jeremiah, the weeping prophet,

Had reason to be melancholy;

He foretold Jerusalem’s demise,

A result of the people’s folly.

He warned and warned the people,

Though to them he was an outcast.

Mistreated, despised and rejected,

Before the Lord he stood fast.

His warnings lasted for 40 years,

But now it was too late.

The Babylonians conquered them;

Jerusalem had met its fate.

God’s remnant became rebellious,

And their sins God needed to purge,

So the prophet Jeremiah wrote five laments,

As for a funeral dirge.

He wrote of their suffering from A to Z,

For themselves and their ruined city.

Though they had behaved very wickedly,

He still had sorrow and pity.

Seventy years in captivity,

For the covenant they did not keep.

The city would rise and fall again,

But this time Jesus would weep.