In the OT Challenge section this week we read about genealogies, the story of Saul, Jonathan and his brothers’ deaths in battle, and about some of Israel’s warriors, including King David's mighty men. But what stuck out to me was a subtle element of God fulfilling his promise regarding the return of his people from Babylon to the promised land.
On pages 18-20, we read just a short portion of the long story that started when God had his prophets foretell of their capture and exile – 70yrs they would be exiled - but there in exile they would realize how far they have been from God’s design for their lives. They would repent, and eventually God would bring them back – being true to His promises in Lev 26:33-44. Lev 26:44 “Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not spurn them, neither will I abhor them so as to destroy them utterly and break my covenant with them, for I am the LORD their God.”
Like the Israelites, we too can find ourselves in what seems like a kind of exile from God’s presence in some seasons of our lives. While most of us are not literally carried off to a foreign land because of our poor choices, our habitual decisions (or lack of habits that allow Jesus to become and remain Lord of our lives), can make hearing the Lord very difficult. Sometimes a sudden life change (good or bad) can happen in our lives, and we don’t recognize for a while that this event put us on a road that is taking us away from the Lord. But I think most often for sincere Christ followers who find themselves feeling far from God, we have let the demands and pressures of life slowly nudge us further and further from the Lord’s presence, to the point where we either can’t hear Him well, or we think He does not want to talk to us because of our neglect of the relationship.
Sometimes it is just very real pressures of this life: work, kids, illnesses, relationships that need extra attention for a season,…sometimes we can literally feel trapped in the middle of our well intentioned hard working lives, and all we have the energy to do is to survive the day, veg in front of the TV for an hour, and go to bed.
Back in Chronicles I love what God does, for He is always close and working on the behalf of those whose hearts are His. In their exile the Israelites have repented and turned back to the LORD, and God is preparing for their return. On page 18 it says: “The first of the exiles to return to their property in their former towns were Priests, Levites, Temple servants, and other Israelites.” It talks about thousands of families from the lines of Judah and Benjamin returning. In all 1760 priests returned and 212 gatekeepers – one of the important jobs in the life of the Temple.
I love this. What might seem subtle or even random, surely was God providing His Priests to help His people retuning from exile. Whether it was people who grew up only in exile and never knew the behaviors of a free people following God’s plan for their lives, or people feeling unworthy because of intentional sin and selfish acts that created distance from God. Whatever the reason, God made sure people were there to help His people draw close to Himself.
It is much easier for anyone living on this side of the Cross to return from exile, a separation from God. If Jesus is not yet your Lord, you simply have to believe on the risen son of God, Jesus, accept Him as your Lord and Savior, and then God promises His Holy Spirit will dwell with you and help you draw near to Him. If we do profess Jesus as Lord and still find ourselves on an unfamiliar road that seems far from Him, we need only to STOP, turn toward Him, and from a position and posture of sincere humility – repent and seek His face. He most certainly may ask us to stop some behaviors that hinder our closeness and to start ones that help our closeness to Him. But if we are sincere in our desire this will be no surprise and even be a source of joy and strength once we start obeying. That is what Truth does, it shines a light on non-truth. And don’t let the sin of pride or the evil one keep you from asking a Priest for help, for God has placed at least one near to you (remember we are all the Priesthood of believers), and every single one of us needs help at times.
As we start this new year, one that we ALL sincerely pray is better than the last, take a few moments and evaluate your closeness with the Lord. If it is good, give thanks, rejoice and pay attention to the Lord in case He is asking you to be a humble Priest in someone’s life. If it is not close, if you do not often sense His nearness, take stock in where you invest the FIRST FRUITS of your time, your talents, and your treasure.
I pray you desire to draw near to Jesus, the one who loves you so much more than you can possibly know, and it will make 2021 a fantastic year, regardless of the circumstances.