S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

Ezra 3:3

Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices.

O-bservation:

After 70 years as captives in Babylon, King Cyrus of Persia, who had taken Babylon over, began releasing the Israelites to go back to Jerusalem. For 70 years, Jerusalem had been inhabited by Babylonians and other people from heathen traditions. As the Israelites began to return, FEAR gripped their hearts. In spite of the FEAR they built an altar for the Lord. After 70 years of living as captives, they decided to … “Build An Altar for The Lord Even When You’re Scared.”

A-pplication:

As “Follower’s of Jesus,” FEAR is always present, is always acknowledged, but must never be a deterrent to our FAITH. Whether facing a firing squad or gathering at a public school flagpole once a year for “See You At The Pole,” we are always called to build an altar for the Lord in the face of our adversaries. It took the people of Israel 70 years in captivity to Babylon to figure out why they had lost everything to begin with. They came back home after their “Season of Tribulation” and determined to put God first from then on, and most of all they learned to … “Build An Altar For The Lord Even When You’re Scared.”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

I’m reminded this AM, here at my ALTAR, that this is my main reason to live. Really, to worship You even when it’s scary makes life really come alive. Amen