Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks[c] and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Ascribe to the Lord glory. God does not need us to give Him glory for His glory to increase. He is the most glorious being. It is humbling and right to proclaim His glory and to worship Him. Praise Him for His magnificence.
Scripture Reading
Haggai 2:20-23 – New International Version
Zerubbabel the Lord’s Signet Ring
20 The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: 21 “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.
23 “‘On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanks to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for Amelia and Rick. Ask God to bless their new marriage. Pray that he would use them as they serve together overseas.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
The Old Testament prophets, especially during the period of the exile and after, often spoke of a future “shaking” of the cosmos in which the Lord would reveal Himself in a powerful way so as to judge the nations and renew His people. Part of this “shaking” would involve the fulfillment of God’s promise to establish the throne of David forever through a worthy heir (2 Sam. 7:12-16). This event began to be fulfilled in Christ’s first coming and will finally be fulfilled at His second coming.
Jesus was in the royal line of David and Zerubbabel (Matt. 1:6-12, Luke 3:27-31). He began His ministry with a royal announcement: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15). He demonstrated Divine authority in His miracles and His teaching (Matt. 7:28, Luke 8:25). And then, when it was His time, He accepted a robe and a crown (John 19:1-3), ascended a rough, wooden throne, and received His title with honor: “King of the Jews” (John 19:16-19).
At His death and resurrection, there was a “shaking” of the cosmos (Matt. 27:45-28:2). Through His redemptive sacrifice, He bound His enemies (Col. 2:14-15) and, after appearing to His disciples for many days, He did what every king must do: He ascended to His rightful throne as King of Universe (Acts 1:9). From there, the Holy Spirit was commissioned to bring a surprising renewal of God’s people, a renewal that would involve an incorporation of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Acts 10:1-48, Rev. 7:9).
Zerubbabel was a key link in the fulfillment of God’s promise to David, but that fulfillment was ultimately accomplished in Jesus, the New and Better King of God’s People and the rightful ruler of the universe.
Worship the King.