Collected or prepared by Pastor Wilfred Chung

August 22 - August 28, 2010

August 22, 2010 - The Cause Of Judgment

Meditation on Ezekiel 30

Egypt was condemned by God through Ezekiel. Not only they would be destroyed and burnt and fallen under the sword of Babylon. Even those who helped Egypt would fall also. (v. 5-6) These were countries like Ethiopia, Put, Lud, all Arabia, Libra and the people of the land that was in league.

The reasons for the fall of Egypt during Ezekiel's time were at least two. One was Egypt's pride over its own power. (v. 6, 18) The other reason was that they worshiped idols. (v. 13) Egypt was a powerful nation that the Israelites wanted to rely on for help to resist the northern invasions of Babylon. But they looked to a nation that was in darkness because of their many gods and idols. God will discipline the Egyptians and their king also. God will also punish those nations who made alliance with Egypt.

For our readers today, who are you making alliance with? Are you making the worldly system as your good friends? Are your good friends whom you play and vacation with worshiping idols and are very proud of their own riches and strength? Watch out. Unless you are trying to win them to Christ, or will go down with them in God's judgment also. (James 4:4-6)

August 23, 2010 - Be A Doer Of The Word

Meditation on Ezekiel 33

Beginning from chapter 33, Ezekiel's emphasis turned from judgment to hope. First of all he repeated the two messages of watchman and personal responsibility. (v. 1-9) Then he sensed the acceptance of the exiles of their own quilt. (v. 10) They have seen the fulfillment of the prophecies by Ezekiel concerning the fall of Jerusalem and some of the surrounding nations. They began to question about their own survival.

So Ezekiel assured them that God was not willing anyone to be perished but that all sinners should repent and turn to Him. Then they shall live. (v. 11) He continued to point out their sins of idol worship, violence and immorality which were the causes of their removal from the Promised Land.

The people began to hear God's messages. They enjoyed listening now. But they did not follow the word of God. Their hearts were still deceptive. They were only interested in what they can gain materially.

James the brother of Jesus admonished us to be doer of the word and not hearer only deceiving ourselves. (James 1:22)

August 24, 2010 - The Dry Bones Live!

Meditation on Ezekiel 37

Ezekiel prophesied a most dramatic picture of the resurrection of Israel: The numerous dry bones in the valley were revived by the Spirit of God. Before that happened, Ezekiel took note that those bones were extremely dry. (v. 2) This indicated that they were absolutely lifeless for a long, long time. From man's stand point it was but a scene of deadness and hopelessness. Yet when he began to prophesy, the bones began to connect with each other. Tendons and flesh began to appear on them and skin covered them. Ezekiel prophesied again, and breathed come into those bones. They stood up and became a vast army. This vision showed that Israel will be restored and be put back into their own land.

Beginning from verse fifteen, Ezekiel was to demonstrate another prophecy that the nations of Israel and Judah would be united in one again. God will provide them with peace and sanctuary for God. He will rule over them so that all people will know the holy God.

Indeed after the destruction of Jerusalem in the fifth century before the birth of Christ, Israel had become dry bones for more than 2,400 years. Yet in 1948, it had miraculously become a nation again. And it had grown stronger and stronger through all the struggles and wars with her neighbors. One day as the Gospel would be accepted by them, they will become the sanctuary of God that all people will gather to worship Him. (Zechariah 14:16-17)

All the prophecies in the Word of God will become true. Even the hopeless dry bones can become alive. What about your spiritual life? There is hope for you. Just listen to the word of God and look unto the Spirit of Christ. See you Sunday at 10 am or 11 am.

August 25, 2010 - Glory Returns To The Temple

Meditation on Ezekiel 43

Imagine the excitement and satisfaction for Ezekiel, a priest, to have a vision that the glory of God returned to the temple. He saw it’s departure toward the East with great sadness years ago. Now he was granted the promise that God's glory would return from the East and His presence would refill His temple for Israel.

The return of God's glory to the temple in Jerusalem will happen during the Millennial kingdom, a period which John has prophesied in Revelation 20. At that time all the prophecies by Ezekiel in the following chapters and the prophecy of Zechariah 14 will be fulfilled. The temple will be rebuilt by the Israelites. In this temple, some significant sacrifices will be offered as a memorial to the sacrifice of Christ, shadowed by the Old Testament sacrifices.

At that time, there will be no more immorality and idols in and around the temple. Every area of the temple and its surrounding will be most holy before God because of the cleansing power of the blood of Christ, (Hebrews 10:10) who will be the Messiah and ruler at the kingdom.

August 26, 2010 - Enjoyment In The Holy Land

Meditation on Ezekiel 47

During the Millennium period, spectacular things would happen at the new temple of Palestine. Ezekiel said that living water would flow out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east. At first it was a trickle. But later it would become a stream and eventually grow to be a mighty river flowing toward the Dead Sea. This living water will revive the Dead Sea and make it able to sustain sea life. There will be trees and fruits growing along the river on both sides. The fruits will be for food and the leaves will be for healing.

The most amazing thing is this: The enjoyment of all this river, the fruits and the whole land is to be shared by all other believers who settled among the Israelites. Speaking concerning the aliens and their children, Ezekiel said, "And they shall be to you as the native-born among the sons of Israel; they shall be allotted an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel." (v. 22 NASB) The holy land will be enjoyed by all worshippers of the Messiah. God is interested for all believers to share His goodness and provision.

Praise Him!

August 27, 2010 - Winning In A Hostile Environment

Meditation on Daniel 1

Looking at Daniel's life, there was nothing easy about it. He was taken away as a captive to a foreign land with entirely new environment and culture. He had to learn new language and survival skill among the Babylonians. He had to work very hard to compete against smart young people in a royal academy. He had to face a very temperamental, demanding and cruel dictator-king constantly. Later in life, he had to worry about those who were jealous about his successes and therefore devising way to get rid of him. Yet in all these challenging and dangerous situations he came out ahead.

What was the secret of his success? Verse eight gave us the answer, "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank." (NKJV) Daniel had made up his mind not to eat the food and drink the wine which were offered to the idols and the unclean food God had commanded the Jews not to partake. This way he would maintain himself not to be defiled spiritually before God. He graciously requested the guard to allow him and his three friends not to eat the king's food but just gave them, vegetables and water for ten days. After the period of testing, Daniel and his friends became even stronger, healthier and even better looking because God was with them. So they did not need to eat the king's food from then on. Daniel's determination to follow God's rule and trusting God so he would not be contaminated by the world gave him the winning edge in every tough situation he faced. This way, he had insured the living presence and wisdom of God with him

Do you want to win in the struggle of life? Read 2 Corinthians 7:1 and Romans 8:37.

August, 28, 2010 - The Threat Against Prayer

Meditation on Daniel 6

During the reign of the Mede- Persian king, the honorable Darius, Daniel was one of the top administrators for the king. But the other officials of the country came together to devise a plan to get rid of Daniel. Together they boosted the king to pass a law that would forbid anyone to pray other than to the king for thirty days. After Daniel knew that the ordinance was passed he still opened his window to pray three times a day as was his custom. He knew that his enemies would spy on him. But he relied on the protection of God to pass through the storm. Indeed Daniel was thrown into the lions' den because of the violation of the ordinance but was protected by God while his enemies were destroyed.

Today, we have a subtle threat against prayer also in the United States. It is that one cannot pray in the name of Jesus in civic affair. That was why Franklin Graham, the son of the Evangelist Billy Graham disinvited to pray at the pentagon. While the teaching of Jesus can be taught in Taiwan or Moscow, but not in the public school of this country let alone pray in Jesus' name publicly during a school function.

Should we adopt to this threat and refrain from praying in Jesus' name publicly or follow the courageous stand of Daniel who did not change one bit the manner and custom of how he prayed? (v. 10) Jesus said in John 16:23-24, "...Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." (NKJV)