"Heaven. His Sea of Joy" - 09/05/17 - Ezra 6-7

"Then the Israelites who had returned from exile, along with everyone who had removed themselves from the defilements of the nations to join them and seek God, the God of Israel, ate the Passover.      With great joy they celebrated the Feast of Unraised Bread for seven days.

 

God had plunged them into a sea of joy."(6:21-22)


 "returned from exile."

 

The reward of remaining steadfast in their work of rebuilding the temple.  No matter the circumstances, the people they came up against, the situations.  His people remained true to ABBA.


They remained focused on Him.


They remained on course to following His lead.  His ways. 


Him.


In Him we are His Temple where He resides.  Loving within us. 

 

We are part of His great commission:

 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of The Father and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."(Matthew 28:19-20)


How often do we allow ourselves to take our focus off of His commission and stop "building"?  How often do we set aside our tools and go off into the world for a time of serving "self"?  Each moment I continually strive not to.  I am so in love with ABBA, I desire to please Him continually.  (So thankful for His Grace and Mercy, as there are many times I don't). 


 I love knowing at the end of our time here, we"in" our Christ, are ones "who had returned from exile, along with everyone who had removed themselves from the defilements of the nations to join them and seek God ate the Passover."


 "With great joy they celebrated the Feast of Unraised Bread".


"God had plunged them into a sea of joy."


I love the word picture we are given here for His followers.  There is nothing like diving into the cool waters and feeling them remove the heat of the day from our body.  To feel the coolness refresh you.  To ride the waves, build sand castles, to delight in His nature. 

I am so looking forward to the day of  going "swimming" with His family - for eternity.

In The Sea Of Joy.