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:
[Note: This was written by David Mainse on April 27, 2016]
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.
Lord, in Jesus Name, teach me to pray also. Sometimes it is hard to know how to pray in a situation and I need direction (& forgiveness). Thank You Lord. Amen
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Agreeing with your prayer Doreen.
From Anne Graham Lotz’ Daily Light devotional for today:
“Brethren, the time is short.
Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; he flees like a shadow and does not continue. § The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. § As in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive… Death is swallowed up in victory. § For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. § To live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.” § The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. § The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”
1 Cor. 7:29; Job 14:1–2; 1 John 2:17; 1 Cor. 15:22, 54;
Rom. 14:8; Phil. 1:21; Heb. 10:35–37; Rom. 13:12; 1 Peter 4:7
Father God, guide all Your people in Your good ways. Help us learn the lessons of earlier generations – that we need You, that You care for us, and that You long to lead us in good ways. Thank You, Lord.
As they used to sing at Billy Graham Crusades, “Just as I am without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bid’st me come to Thee; Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come …” I come to You, Lord, in Jesus’s great, pure, and holy name, amen
Amen
Amen
Luisa, Edward is ok but his blood is low. Tomorrow he goes to the Hospital to get a blood test. The will call after he gets home to let him know if he needs to go back for a transfusion on Thursday.
Thanks for asking about him.
He had Minor surgery yesterday for cancer spots on his neck and face. They put stitches in the neck, and will send the results if it needs more attention .
A lot going on right now but I still do my readings every day.
Praying for you and your husband and for Beverlee.
Thank you for the update, Eleanor. I pray that the blood count will improve and that he will recover well from the minor surgery.
Sorry for all that he and you are going through.
Continued prayers for both of you. 🙏
Amen Rob.
Amen to your prayer Rob.
Amen
Thank you for postings-all.
The Family of God is so very uplifting.
I agree with you Laur
Amen
Amen
For the 27th from “Prayer Map of Canada”
1. Pray that God’s Spirit will melt the pride that causes many to hold to wrong opinions about Christ and His salvation. (2 Cor. 10:4-5)
2. Pray that the Lord will awaken a desire in the hearts of those who are lost to seek Him and to seek the Truth.
Amen
Amen🙏🏼