OLD MEN, OLD WOMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS
Today’s Reading: Zechariah 7-8
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Jews of all ages visit the Western Wall, which is the retaining wall of the platform which enabled the creation of the large flat area on top of Mt. Moriah, where the Temple once stood in Jerusalem. Large numbers of men and women come here to pray. Today’s reading is about the prayers God ignores and those prayers to which He pays attention.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Zechariah 8:4-5 and 8:21b
Thus says the Lord of hosts:
“Old men and old women shall again sit
In the streets of Jerusalem,
Each one with his staff in his hand
Because of great age.
The streets of the city
Shall be full of boys and girls
Playing in its streets.” …Let us continue to go and pray before the Lord!
Zechariah 7 sounds like a good prayer at first reading, but then we understand that their prayers were all about themselves, not about God and others. An example of this kind of prayer is found in Isaiah 58, “They made their hearts like flint!” (7:12a). But God, through Ezekiel who prophesied in Babylon during the captivity of the Jews, said that their hearts would be changed! “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you.” Read Ezekiel 36:24-28.
Zechariah 8 is the result of the genuine repentance of God’s people during the years of exile in Babylon. Renewed and rebuilt Jerusalem is a beautiful picture of contentment, old men and old women sitting in the streets with boys and girls playing around them. Let us learn the lessons taught here. As Jesus said, “Ask…seek…knock” in consistent God-centred and people-centred prayer, and God’s promises are activated for the good of all. Read Jesus’ Words on this in Matthew 7:7-11.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, as Jesus was asked, so I ask, “Teach me to pray!” I pray not just for the words to say, but to actually “Pray!” You said through James, “Confess your trespasses one to another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man [or woman] avails much!!!” Give me grace to always have a soft heart for others and toward You! I ask this in the Name of the One who got up early in the morning to pray, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen! (Mark 1:35).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Every day I thank God for what feels like excellent health. I have now lived for over two years past the date when it was predicted I would die. I was diagnosed four years ago with MDS acute leukaemia. King Hezekiah of Judah was told that he would shortly die, but God gave him another 15 years (Isaiah 38:1-5 and 38:21). Also the prophet Isaiah (obviously some kind of medical practitioner) prescribed treatment. In Isaiah 39:8 Hezekiah commended Isaiah for “good” prescriptions (words of advice).
Yours in thankfulness for the prayers of my blog readers, for God’s healing Power, and for health practitioners,
David
P.S. God willing, tomorrow, I want to emphasize my heartfelt thanks for everyone who prayed for me individually, and for the churches and ministries that prayed collectively.
These ladies with a child are from Harran, which was a major city in ancient Mesopotamia, reflecting the title of today’s blog.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
We thank the Lord Jesus for your healing. I pray you enjoy more years of a rich blessed life. David you have blessed us so much, through your teaching to us of our Wonderful Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
With a thankful heart I praise the Lord Jesus that He blessed us with you.
Amen and Amen. Your life blesses all of us in deeper ways than words can relate.
Amen!
Shalom,
Graham.
Amen
And again I say AMEN!
Amen, Pastor David, praise God for your healing. Blessings saints!
Amen and amen. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
What a joy, blessing and encouragement you are, Pastor David.
Thanking God that He has left you with us for this further season. Thank you as well for interceding for Canada in the past and now.
Amen and Amen! Thank you God for Blessing us with David Mainse as he teaches and encourages us with your word.
Amen !!!!
Thanking you for making this 100 words such a blessing to my life! Amen,Amen!
Thank you for the blessings that come to us bloggers, thru’ you Pastor Maines, and your faithfulness to our LORD & SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
And I join gratefully and enthusiastically from the west coast in complete agreement repeating amen, amen and amen!!!
Thank you Father for David’s good health and for enabling him to bless us with this daily blog. PTL
Praise God for you Pastor David. Thank you for your words of wisdom, giving us daily, fresh bread to chew on! Praise God for healing you, and I pray for continued health and strength in the Mighty Name of Jesus.
Have a blessed day, all you saints.
Beverlee, wherever you are may the Lord hold you in the Palm of His hand!
THANK YOU JESUS FOR GIVING ME A NEW HEART!! CLEANSED FOR YOUR GLORY!!! AMEN!!!
Just a note to say that I did not receive the blog via my email this morning. Happens periodically. Anyway, Pastor David, it has been great journeying with you through 100words.com during the past two rounds of daily reading. A challenge this morning regarding fasting (or anything, for that matter) “ask the people..when you fasted and mourned…(God said) WAS IT REALLY FOR ME?”
Thoroughly enjoyed these two chapters. The words (of challenge) in 7: 9-10, “This is what the Lord said (Past)…administer true justice, show mercy and compassion for one another, do not oppress the widow, fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other” (NIV) …words and challenges still applicable for us (in today’s world)..followed by promises of blessing in chapter 8.
“Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised” (Ps. 145:3). Also, thank God for Pastor David’s healing and his ongoing ministry of life and blessings to all..Looking forward to your participation on Huntley Street in the 1st week of May. I love Romans 8:11 and claim it for you, David, and all who need God’s healing touch:
“But IF the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead SHALL ALSO QUICKEN (MAKE ALIVE) YOUR MORTAL (PHYSICAL) BODIES by His Spirit that dwells in you.” (KJV)
This is also a chorus: “if that same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwell in you, dwell in you, it shall quicken your mortal body if that Spirit dwell in You. It
shall quicken your mortal body if that Spirit dwell in you”.
Miss your comments Beverlee. Trust you are ok. I know you like “Streams in the Desert” – great quote at the end of April 21st reading, “Climb to the treasure house of blessing ..on the ladder… made of divine promises. By a promise (as by a key) ..open the door to the riches of God’s grace and favor.” (April 21)
Blessings to all! Samuel
So thankful Lord. amen
Truly blessed and inspired every day as I read our blog, the many links, songs, poems and prayers of all our friends in Christ
Thank you Pastor David for sharing your very personal journey with us and Praising The Lord for your healing.
Blessings to all and waiting for Beverlee’s return and her encouraging links.