“And the people could not distinguish the voice of the call of joy from the voice of weeping.” — Ezra 3:13
After experiencing three losses in just four weeks, Angela’s family was devastated. After one of them, the sudden death of a nephew, Angela and her two sisters spent three days in the kitchen at the table, leaving only to buy something, order food and attend the funeral. As they mourned Mason’s death, they took comfort in the ultrasound photos that captured the new life growing in the youngest of the sisters.
Later, Angela found hope and solace in the Old Testament book of Ezra. It tells how God’s people returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian army destroyed the temple and drove the people out of their beloved city (see Ezra 1). Now the temple was being restored and people joyfully praised God (Ezra 3:10-11). But among the joyous shouts was also heard the cry of those who remembered life before the exile (v. 12).
One verse especially comforted Angela: “And the people could not distinguish the voice of the call of joy from the voice of the people’s cry, because the people were loudly calling” (v. 13). She realized that even in the midst of deep sadness, you can find a place for joy.
Perhaps you too are saddened by the death of loved ones or are mourning other losses. If so, let your sorrowful sighs go up to God with expressions of joy. He hears us and accepts us in His arms.
Why do you think we can feel joy and sadness at the same time? How can you cultivate joy in yourself today?
Loving God, in this world we experience pain and suffering. Joy was ignited in us. We turn to You for hope and peace.
By Amy Buescher Pye
“Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will inject spirit into you – and you will live.” — Ezekiel 37:5
On November 4, 1966, a devastating flood occurred in Florence, Italy, due to which Giorgio Vasari’s famous masterpiece “The Last Supper” lay under a thick layer of mud for twelve hours. The paint softened, the wooden frame swelled. Many believed that the picture could not be restored. However, after fifty years of painstaking work, restoration specialists and volunteers presented the restored canvas to the world.
When Israel was captured by the Babylonians, the people fell into despair. Death and ruin reigned everywhere (see Lamentations 1). During this period of upheaval, God brought the prophet Ezekiel to a desert valley and showed him a vision in which the entire valley was filled with dry bones. “Will these bones come to life?” – asked God. “Lord God, You know!” – answered Ezekiel. Then God commanded him to prophesy over the bones. “And I prophesied as I was commanded. And there was a noise when I prophesied, and there was a roar, and the bones came together, bone to bone,” he says (v. 7). Through this vision, God showed that only He could restore Israel.
When it seems to us that everything in life is destroyed and cannot be restored, God assures us that He can put together what was broken. He gives us a second breath and a new life.
What is ruined or destroyed in your life? How can you trust God to restore?
God, so many things in my life never seem to recover. I tried to fix everything, but I realized that I can only hope in You.
Author: Kimya Loder (guest)
“I will rejoice in the Lord… I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” — Habakkuk 3:18
“I know dad will be home soon because he sent me flowers.” That’s what my seven-year-old sister told my mother when my father went missing in the war. Before leaving, he ordered flowers to be delivered to her home on her birthday. The order arrived at the appointed time, and there was no news of Dad. But the girl was right. Dad really did come home. He miraculously survived the brutal battle. She still keeps a vase of those flowers as a reminder to never lose hope.
Sometimes in our sinful, corrupt world it is not easy. Parents do not always return, and children’s wishes are not always fulfilled. However, God gives us hope. The prophet Habakkuk predicted the Babylonian invasion of Judah (Hab. 1:6; see 2 Kings 24), but at the same time emphasized that the Lord is always good (Hab. 1:12-13). Remembering God’s mercy to His people in the past, Habakkuk proclaimed: “If the fig tree had not blossomed, and there had been no harvest in the vineyards, if the olive had deceived the occupation, and if the field had not produced food, if the flock had gone out of the fold and if the cattle had not stopped in the stables, then I will rejoice in the Lord, and I will rejoice in the God of my salvation” (Av. 3:17-18).
Some interpreters believe that the name Habakkuk means “to cling to” or “to hold on to.” We will hold on to God as our main hope and joy, no matter what the trials may be, because He Himself holds us and will never let go.
How does joy in the Lord help you in difficult times? How can you glorify Him today?
Heavenly Father, no matter how difficult the path may be, I know that with You, a bright future awaits me. Thank you.
Author: James Banks
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them to speak.” — Acts 2:4
During a discussion of a book on the Holy Spirit written by German theologian Jürgen Moltmann, who was ninety-four years old at the time, a journalist asked him: “How do you activate the Holy Spirit? Do you have to take a pill? Do pharmaceutical companies make these?” Moltmann’s thick eyebrows shot up. Shaking his head, he smiled and replied in a thick German accent, “How to activate? No way! Wait for the Holy Spirit and He will come.”
Moltmann pointed out the false idea that God’s work is done by our strength and skill. The book of the Acts of the Apostles shows that it is done by God Himself. When the first church appeared, there was nothing like human strategy or impressive leadership. The Holy Spirit came with a noise, “as if a storm broke out suddenly, and filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). Then He broke down all the international barriers, gathering previously hostile people into one new community. The apostles were no less amazed than others, looking at what God was doing with them. They themselves did nothing, “the Spirit spoke” (v. 4).
The success of our work and the life of the church is not determined by our abilities. We are totally dependent on what only the Spirit of God can do. This allows us to be bold and calm at the same time. Celebrating the day of Pentecost, we will wait together for the coming of the Holy Spirit and act together with Him.
Are you tempted to rely on your own strength and abilities? Where should we expect the action of the Holy Spirit?
God, I exhausted myself thinking that I had to do everything myself. Holy Spirit, help me!
Author: Wynn Collier
? 05/28/2023 10:03 a.m. #broadcast “Life is a union of spirit, soul and body” has started on the Church of God’s Glory channel | Pastor Haydarenko Hanna | 05/28/2023: https://youtu.be/6lqO3q8vGVg
“For who will despise the day of small things?” — Zechariah 4:10
Will I be able to get to the Olympics? – a college student, a gifted swimmer, worried about her performance. That’s when math professor Ken Ohno studied the girl’s swimming technique and saw how to improve her time by six seconds, a significant difference for a competition of this level. After attaching the sensors to the athlete’s back and analyzing the data, the professor suggested slightly adjusting the movements, which ultimately affected the speed and allowed her to win.
Small corrective actions in the spiritual realm can also make a big difference. The prophet Zechariah spoke about this to the oppressed Jews who, after being exiled under the leadership of Zerubbabel, returned to Jerusalem and tried to restore God’s temple. “Not by might and power, but only by My Spirit,” said the Lord to Zerubbabel (Zech. 4:6).
“For who will despise the day of small things?” – proclaimed Zechariah (v. 10). The exiles were worried that the temple they built would be much more modest than the one once built by King Solomon. But just as a young athlete won an Olympic medal under the guidance of Professor Ono, so the ancient Jewish builders learned that even modest efforts with God’s help can bring us victory for His glory. With God, the little becomes great.
When did great, impressive actions lead to spiritual disappointment? What small changes have improved your spiritual life?
God, point me to small actions that will make big changes in me for Your glory.
Author: Patricia Raybon
“And I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and there is no harm to them, and the appearance of the fourth is like the son of God.” — Daniel 3:25
When the Nobel laureate Max Planck traveled to different cities with lectures, his driver once said that he could replace him because he had listened to his lectures many times. Therefore, he liked this idea, and he offered to exchange places in the next city. The driver agreed and confidently read the lecture. Then it was time for questions and answers. A difficult question was asked, but the driver, not confused, answered: “I see, you know the subject. However, your question is so simple that even my driver will be able to answer it.” Plank stepped forward and answered! This is how this funny and, of course, fictional story ends.
Daniil’s three friends also found themselves “on the hot seat”. King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them into a red-hot furnace if they did not bow down to the idol. “And who is the God that will save you from my hands?” he said (Dan. 3:15). The friends refused to comply with the order. Then the king ordered to light the furnace seven times stronger than usual and throw the young men into the fire.
But a miracle happened. An angel (v. 28), and possibly Jesus Himself, joined them, protecting them from the flames, and the king received an undeniable answer to his question (vv. 24-25). As a result, Nebuchadnezzar glorified the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and admitted that “there is no other God who can save like this one” (vv. 28-29).
Sometimes we also face difficulties. But Jesus walks alongside. He will carry us in his arms.
What problems are you unable to cope with? How can Jesus help you solve them?
Lord Jesus, You are the answer when there are no other answers.
Author: Mike Whittmer
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus.” — Colossians 3:17
When Jeff was fourteen, his mother took him to a concert by the famous singer BJ Thomas. Like many other musicians of the time, Thomas led a lavish lifestyle during his tours. But then he and his wife converted to Jesus Christ. Their lives changed radically.
At the concert, the singer went out to an enthusiastic audience and sang several well-known songs, when suddenly someone shouted from the hall: “BJ! Sing for Jesus!” He answered without the slightest delay: “I have already sung four songs for Him.”
It was decades ago, but Jeff still remembers the moment when he realized that everything in our lives should be for Christ. Even things that may seem unrelated to faith.
Sometimes we are tempted to divide our affairs into spiritual and non-spiritual. Reading the Bible, sharing testimony, singing hymns is spiritual. Cutting the lawn, going for a run, singing a “non-Christian” song is not spiritual.
The Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Colossians reminds us that the Word of Christ abides in us if we teach one another, sing and give thanks (Col. 3:16). But this is how he continues his opinion in the next verse: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 17).
Everything must be done for Him without exception.
How can you do all things in the name of Jesus Christ? How can you allow God to use your words and deeds for His glory?
Loving God, help me to submit everything I do and say to You.
By Cindy Hess Kasper
“For who will eat, and who will be able to consume without Him?” — Ecclesiastes 2:25
As I watched the crowd gradually flow from the platform to the train, I felt the heaviness of Monday creeping up on me. The sleepy, gloomy faces of the passengers crammed into the carriage spoke eloquently about their attitude to the coming working day. Attempts to take a more comfortable position were met with a gloomy look and disapproving grumbling. Gray weekdays again, monotonous work again.
And then I remembered that only a year ago the trains were empty. Quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the course of life. We couldn’t even go to a cafe to have lunch. And some, hard to believe, missed the office! And now we are back to normal life, we go to work again. “Ordinariness,” I thought, “is good. Ordinariness is a blessing!”
Looking at the futility of daily work, King Solomon came to a similar conclusion (Eccl. 2:17-23). At one time, such work seemed to him endless, pointless and unsatisfying (v. 21). But then he realized that the opportunity to eat, drink and work is a blessing from God (v. 24).
If we are deprived of such a “routine”, we will quickly understand that it is a kind of “luxury”. Therefore, we thank the Creator that we can eat, drink and find pleasure in all things. All this is His gift (Eccl. 3:13).
What simple blessings are you grateful to God for today? What can you do for those who do not know how to rejoice in everyday blessings?
God, thank you for my “normal” weekdays, no matter how boring they may seem. Help me to be grateful for all your blessings.
Author: Leslie Koh
“Sleeper, get up and rise from the dead, and Christ will enlighten you!” — Ephesians 5:14
It’s like a dream, but without waking up. People who suffer from a disorder sometimes called “derealization” or “depersonalization” often feel that everything around them is not real. However, a similar feeling can occur in healthy people, especially under severe stress. And in some it appears when everything goes well. As if the mind cannot believe that such good events are actually happening.
The Bible reports similar cases among God’s people when it was difficult for people to perceive His power and salvation as a reality and not a dream. For example, the book of Acts tells how an angel released Peter from prison where he was awaiting execution (Acts 12:2, 4). At the same time, the apostle thought that he was seeing a dream (vv. 9-10). And only when the angel took him outside the gate, Peter finally came to his senses and realized that everything was really happening (v. 11).
In good times and bad, it can be hard for us to believe or realize that God is really doing His work in our lives. But we can be sure that the power of His resurrection will somehow become undeniable and surprisingly real. God’s light will awaken us from the sleep of death to new life with Him (Eph. 5:14).
Why is it sometimes difficult for you to see God’s power and love in your life? How can you experience His love clearly?
God, thank you that in the light and dark times, no matter how I feel, You create new life and give hope.
Author: Monica La Rose
