Ezra 3:3 They set up the altar on it's foundation, because they were in dread of the neighboring peoples, and they offered burnt offerings upon it to the Lord, morning and evening.
When the exiles returned to Judah they returned weak and vulnerable. They made a point of rebuilding the altar of God and sacrificing to Him constantly. They were appealing to God to provide them with protection that they could not provide for themselves.
On September 16, 2001 church attendance was at a record level all across the United States. The previous Tuesday, the 11th, had been a crushing, terrifying day. On Monday we were a superpower, by Wednesday we were victims. We didn't feel safe in the world and were no longer sure of our ability to protect ourselves. All across America people went to church to find peace and hope. This is a tendency that is displayed countless times every day all over the world. When the situation is too big to manage, when we know that we are way out of our league, then it's time to get right with God. In recovery we call them 911 prayers: "If You let me live through this I'll never drink again.", "Please God, don't let them pull me over.", "I just can't get fired again Lord!" When we are unprepared at school or work, when the money isn't there but the bills are, when the marriage is crumbling, when the stick turns blue, when the cat is out of the bag, when they say they never really love you, when we can't make it even one more day... We know where to turn when we know we aren't enough. In 21st century America, just as in Jerusalem in 536 BC, we know where hope can be found when we have none of our own. That says alot about what is buried deep inside each of us.
Father God, I pray that I might follow your ways always. You have saved me when I couldn't save myself. You call me to the way that leads to life and peace and not back into hopelessness. May I never forget that you are the way to true freedom. Amen.
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