Daily Devotional

-June 13, 2021-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

-Major Milestones In Life-

“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: ‘For He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel.’ Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.”

(Ezra 3:10-11).

Israel had been in captivity for 70 years in Babylon just as the Lord said would happen. He also promised that they would be restored to their land and the temple which had been destroyed would be rebuilt. Restoration is a wonderful thing, and all the people rejoiced and celebrated. Not everyone came back, but those who did honored and obeyed God.

We would call this a major milestone in the history of Israel. Other great milestones included God’s call and promise to Abraham, God’s deliverance of Noah and his family during the flood, God’s deliverance of Israel from their bondage in Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea and victory over Pharaoh and his army, the crossing of Israel through the Jordan River into the Promised Land and their possession of the land, and now their restoration to their land and the rebuilding of the temple, and the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.

There are many other milestones in Scripture, especially for the church: the Day of Pentecost, and ones yet future such as the Rapture, and Jesus’ Second Coming to earth. Each milestone is both a victory and a celebration. The greatest milestone will be going to heaven to be with the Lord.

In our modern times we have many different milestones, such as engagements, weddings, anniversaries, births, graduations, birthdays, getting a job, promotions, starting a business, and retirements. We should always thank and praise God for our milestones for the Lord makes them all possible.

Here in our text, when the builders laid the foundation of the temple, the priests stood in their apparel with their trumpets, the Levites, the sons of Asaph crashed their cymbals, and the singers sang praises to the Lord. It was a very fitting song they sang, “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” All the people shouted with a great shout!

When God does great things for us we should praise Him and give Him all the glory. Psalm 126:3 says, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.” Our church has been closed since March of 2020 and all our services have been virtual since then. But soon the church will be reopening, and what a grand reopening that will be! I can’t wait! Now that will be a great milestone!

Let us never forget the excellence of the Blesser in the excitement of the blessing. Every thing we have, every thing we accomplish, and every good thing is from the Lord. James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

Have a blessed day thanking and praising God for who He is and what He has done for us. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean