I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.
O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. 1 Chronicles 29:17-18
King David offered this prayer when Israel had gathered the materials to build the temple in Jerusalem. We are blessed to have a record of the journey of God’s people over many years.
The temple was built by Solomon, but it was destroyed when Babylon conquered Jerusalem. The people of Israel were taken into exile because they were unfaithful and disobedient.
God was merciful and patient. The Medes and Persians defeated Babylon. The King of Persia allowed the exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.
My current Bible study is in the book of Ezra. The book of Ezra records the proclamation of King Cyrus, letters protesting the rebuilding of the temple, and the decree of King Darius. The building began but there were periods of discouragement. The people of Israel encountered opposition. With God’s mercy and help the temple was rebuilt.
Then Ezra was sent to teach the people. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and teach is statutes and rules in Israel. Ezra 7:10.
Our walk of faith is similar to the Israelites.
As we follow Jesus, we have times when we fail. We can repent. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
We need to spend time reading God’s word. We may have times of discouragement. Like David we can pray. Keep our thoughts focused on you, Lord God, and direct our hearts toward you. Thank you for your steadfast love and mercy.
The prompt for Five Minute Friday is: TOWARD Visit the Five Minute Friday writers here.
yes Lord, direct our hearts towards you!
Hello Carol
Popping in quickly to let you know that your awesome post will be featured Monday at SSPS 337 https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/
The image of this flower is what drew me in to read your post. My Italian grandmother called it Bocca di leone, or Lion’s Mouth. The flowers used to grow wild on the side of the road when I was a little girl, this was over 60 years ago.
I took this picture along a country road in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. My i-phone identified it as yellow toadflax.
My first go at a comment was lost in space. Here’s a repeat.
There’s no uprightness in my heart,
His temple there’s a hut,
so really please don’t even start,
’cause there’s no place to put
the worthiness I thought I needed
to meet Him face to Face,
but then I heard and then I heeded
His words, that all is Grace,
and that I had no need to hide,
no call for gifts to bring,
and that I could stand right beside
David, and every king,
and to their chorus add my voice,
for I am saved by loving choice.
Thank you, Andrew.
This is such a beautiful and encouraging reflection, Carol. I am finding more and more that the only way to keep my heart and mind towards God is through His Word. Blessings!
Instead of going to the computer, I am working on doing my Bible study first in the morning every day. Thank you for visiting!
He is steadfast in His love and mercy towards us, Carol.
Yes, and we can give thanks and praise to God!
You are right, even in our times of discouragement we need to set time with the Lord. We need to look toward Him always. I too am glad to have the Bible to show us the ways they ran towards God in times of trouble and praise.
Your FMF neighbor #6
Yes, God is patient and loving. Blessings!