God's Sovereignty and the Power of Remembrance

Devotional

Day 1: God Uses Everything and Everyone for His Purposes

God is not limited by our expectations or circumstances; He sovereignly orchestrates all things, using even the most unlikely people and situations to accomplish His will. Just as He used foreign kings and former antagonists to rebuild His temple in Ezra’s day, He continues to work in and through every detail of our lives—even those that seem chaotic or out of control. Trust that God is at work in your story, even when you can’t see how, and remember that nothing is outside His ability to redeem and use for His glory. [44:54]

Ezra 6:13, 22 (ESV)
Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered. ... And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Reflection: Where in your life do you struggle to see how God could possibly be at work, and how might you begin to look for His hand in those very places today?

Day 2: Celebrate and Remember God’s Faithfulness

God’s people are called to intentionally celebrate and remember His faithfulness through traditions and regular practices, anchoring our hearts in gratitude and trust. The Israelites marked God’s mighty acts with festivals like Passover, and we too are invited to set rhythms—both in our families and personally—that remind us of who God is and what He has done. These celebrations are not just annual events but can be woven into the fabric of our daily and weekly lives, helping us to remain rooted in God’s unchanging goodness no matter what we face. [52:13]

1 Corinthians 5:7-8 (ESV)
Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Reflection: What is one new tradition or daily practice you can start this week to intentionally remember and celebrate God’s faithfulness in your life?

Day 3: God’s Pattern is Him First

The central pattern God sets for His people is that He must be first in all things; when we align our lives with this truth, we experience true fulfillment and peace. The Israelites, after years of misplaced priorities, finally put God at the center by dedicating their resources and worship to Him, establishing ongoing practices that kept Him first. Our lives become disordered and empty when we put ourselves or anything else in God’s place, but when we surrender the throne to Him, we find the joy and purpose we were created for. [56:56]

Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV)
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where God is not first, and what practical step can you take today to put Him back in His rightful place?

Day 4: God’s Pattern is Anchored in Sacrifice and Worship

God’s pattern for His people involves regular sacrifice and worship, not as empty rituals but as ongoing expressions of trust, gratitude, and surrender. The Israelites’ dedication of the temple and the setting apart of priests and Levites was a tangible demonstration of their commitment to God, showing that worship is not a one-time event but a continual offering of our lives. When we regularly offer ourselves—our time, resources, and hearts—to God, we participate in His pattern and experience His presence and blessing in new ways. [54:53]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Reflection: What is one area of your life you can intentionally offer to God as an act of worship this week?

Day 5: God’s Pattern Brings Joy and Transformation

When we align our lives with God’s pattern—trusting His sovereignty, celebrating His faithfulness, putting Him first, and living lives of worship—we experience deep, lasting joy and transformation, even in the midst of difficulty. The Israelites celebrated with joy because God had turned even the hearts of their enemies and brought them through hardship into a season of blessing. God’s pattern is not just for our obedience but for our flourishing; as we follow Him, He fills us with joy that circumstances cannot take away. [30:54]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Reflection: How have you experienced God’s joy in unexpected places, and how can you open your heart to His transforming presence today?

Sermon Summary

Patterns are everywhere in life, and God is a master of patterns—both in the way He has structured His Word and in how He works in our lives. Today, we explored Ezra 6:13-22, a passage that beautifully demonstrates God’s intentional design through a literary structure called a chiasm. This structure, which centers the most important point in the middle, is not just a clever literary device but a way God highlights what He wants us to remember and build our lives around.

In Ezra, the Israelites have returned from exile and, after years of starts and stops, finally complete the rebuilding of the temple. The passage shows that God uses unexpected people and circumstances—even those who once opposed His people—to accomplish His purposes. The outer layers of the chiasm remind us that God is sovereign over all things and works through everyone and everything, not because He’s out of options, but because He is Lord over all.

Moving inward, we see the importance of celebration and remembrance. The Israelites mark the completion of the temple and the Passover with joy, establishing traditions that anchor their identity in God’s faithfulness. These celebrations are not just about the past; they are guideposts that remind us, year after year, of who God is and what He has done. In the same way, our own traditions—weekly communion, family prayers, intentional gratitude—help us remember and celebrate God’s ongoing work in our lives.

At the very center of the passage, and of God’s pattern, is the call to put Him first. The Israelites, who once prioritized their own comfort, now dedicate themselves, their resources, and their worship to God. This is the heart of God’s pattern: that He is preeminent in all things. When we align our lives with this truth—putting God first, trusting His sovereignty, and remembering His faithfulness—we find true fulfillment and peace, no matter our circumstances.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Sovereignty Means He Uses Everything and Everyone God is not limited by our expectations or by the people and circumstances around us. He can and does use even those who seem opposed to His purposes to accomplish His will. Trusting in His sovereignty means believing that nothing in our lives is wasted and that He is actively working, even when we can’t see it. [41:08]
2. Faith Is Strengthened When We Look for God’s Unexpected Work When we expect God to work only in predictable ways, we set ourselves up for disappointment and doubt. But God delights in working through the unexpected, often using the most unlikely people and situations to reveal His power and grace. Our faith grows when we look for and celebrate these surprising works of God. [42:53]
3. Intentional Remembrance Anchors Us in God’s Faithfulness Traditions and celebrations are not just rituals; they are anchors that remind us of God’s unchanging character and past faithfulness. Whether it’s the annual Passover or weekly communion, these practices help us remember who God is and what He has done, especially in seasons of uncertainty or hardship. [50:09]
4. God’s Pattern Is Always “Him First” At the core of God’s design for our lives is the call to put Him above all else. When we prioritize God—through our worship, our resources, and our daily choices—we align ourselves with the pattern He has set, leading to a life of purpose, joy, and peace. When we put ourselves or anything else first, life becomes disordered and empty. [56:56]
5. Daily Practices Shape Our Hearts Toward God It’s not just the big annual celebrations that matter, but the daily and weekly rhythms that keep our hearts focused on God. Simple acts like family prayers, gratitude, and regular participation in communion continually draw us back to God’s faithfulness and help us keep Him at the center of our lives. [52:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Pattern Game: Finding Patterns in Life
[06:45] - Introduction to Ezra 6 and Context
[13:20] - Reading Ezra 6:13-22
[28:43] - Prayer for Illumination
[32:16] - Discovering Chiasm in Scripture
[36:12] - God Uses Everything and Everyone
[38:48] - MacGyver and God’s Creative Sovereignty
[41:08] - God’s Sovereignty in All Circumstances
[47:23] - Celebrating God’s Pattern
[48:53] - The Power of Traditions and Remembrance
[52:46] - Daily Practices of Gratitude
[54:53] - God First: The Center of the Pattern
[57:49] - Reflecting and Responding to God’s Pattern
[61:43] - Communion, Baptism, and Worship
[67:40] - Closing and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ezra 6:13-22 (ESV) —
> 13 Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered.
> 14 And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia;
> 15 and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
> 16 And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.
> 17 They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
> 18 And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.
> 19 On the fourteenth day of the first month, the returned exiles kept the Passover.
> 20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were clean. So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves.
> 21 It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by every one who had joined them and separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel.
> 22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Observation Questions

Who were some of the unexpected people God used to help complete the rebuilding of the temple in Ezra 6:13-22? ([40:12])
What specific traditions or celebrations did the Israelites observe after finishing the temple? ([50:09])
According to the passage, what did the Israelites do to dedicate the temple, and how did they organize the priests and Levites? ([54:53])
What emotions are mentioned in connection with the Israelites’ celebrations, and what does this reveal about their response to God’s work? ([50:09])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon described a “chiasm” structure in this passage, with the central point being “God first.” Why do you think God designed the passage this way, and how does it help us focus on what matters most? ([32:16])
The Israelites had previously put their own comfort first, but now they dedicate themselves and their resources to God. What does this shift tell us about true worship and priorities? ([54:53])
The Israelites celebrated Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread as reminders of God’s faithfulness. Why is intentional remembrance so important for faith, especially in hard times? ([50:09])
The sermon said God uses “everything and everyone” for His purposes, even those who seem opposed. How does this challenge our expectations of how God works? ([41:08])

Application Questions

The sermon said God is not limited by our expectations and can use anyone or anything for His purposes. Is there a situation in your life right now where you struggle to see how God could use it for good? How might trusting His sovereignty change your perspective? ([41:08])
When have you seen God work in an unexpected way—through a person or circumstance you never would have chosen? How did that experience affect your faith? ([42:53])
The Israelites established traditions to remember God’s faithfulness. What are some traditions or daily practices in your life or family that help you remember and celebrate what God has done? Are there any you want to start or be more intentional about? ([52:46])
The heart of God’s pattern is “Him first.” Are there areas of your life where you tend to put yourself, your comfort, or something else before God? What would it look like to put God first in that area this week? ([56:56])
The sermon mentioned that daily and weekly rhythms—like family prayers or gratitude—help keep God at the center. What is one simple daily or weekly practice you could add or strengthen to help you focus on God’s faithfulness? ([52:46])
The Israelites responded to God’s faithfulness with joy and celebration. How can you cultivate more joy and gratitude in your response to God, even when circumstances are difficult? ([50:09])
The sermon challenged us to look for and celebrate God’s unexpected work. This week, how can you be more attentive to the surprising ways God might be working around you? ([42:53])

Sermon Clips

The Bible is not just full of free-form stories and teachings. The Bible is full of so much more than that. It has beautiful literary structure that shows both God's creativity and his clarity in what he wants us to focus on and remember. [00:32:16] (21 seconds) #BibleBeautyInStructure

Somebody ever told you a story and you got to the end of it and you had no idea why they told you that story. Some of you are like, Corey, that is you right now. Stick with me. Okay. As Western learners, the reason this is sometimes hard for us is that if you grew up in a Western culture like ours, we learn linearly, right? We, we build, we stack and think, we learn like this and it just gets bigger and we learn more and more and we stack on the, on the former. Eastern thinkers think in circles. It's different. That's how these are written. They're written in circular form. So you can't miss the point. [00:34:58] (40 seconds) #CircularThinkingRevealsTruth

And it is true today that God still uses anything and anyone he wishes to accomplish his purposes. And it isn't MacGyvering it in the way that the show was out of options. And so we had to use paperclips. Like God's not out of options. He owns it all. But in a grand show of his power, of his sovereignty, of his grace, he uses anything and everything he wants. [00:40:22] (28 seconds) #ExpectTheUnexpectedGod

If you assume God is only going to work in expected ways. Like, if you think you've pinned down exactly what God's going to do next, and that's what you've hinged your hopes on. And then God does something different, you can have a faith crisis. Or like one look at the book of Ezra will show you that God is so in control. He is so on top of things that regardless of who's in charge or what the circumstances are, he is at work. In fact, a God that can only work in expected ways is no God at all. [00:42:48] (39 seconds) #TragedyToTriumphHope

Our God is so sovereign that he not only can work in your situation, but did you know he is working in your situation? You're not waiting on God to work. He is working in your situation. At a bare minimum, he's working on your heart. [00:43:27] (20 seconds) #TrustGodsPurposefulPlan

They're recognizing in hindsight that the most tragic event that ever took place, that God had orchestrated everything around it to operate according to his will. And because of it, every one of us sing today. Because of it, every one of us worship today and have hope today and have joy today that will last forever because God used the most tragic event in history and orchestrated Herod and Pontius Pilate and all the Gentiles and all the Romans and everybody together to accomplish what he was going to accomplish. Don't you know he'll do it in your life too? [00:44:40] (37 seconds) #TraditionAnchorsCulture

Do you trust him? And do you look for how he is working, rather than just lamenting that he's not working the way you wished he would? See, God's pattern is to use everything and everyone for his purposes. And I've learned the crazier it gets, the more excited I get. Because he's going to do something that no one expects. [00:46:45] (22 seconds) #CommunionRemindsUs

There were markers on the Jewish calendar that ensured that their annual traditions centered around celebrating what God had done. There were at least three festivals that God had them returning to Jerusalem for every year in order to celebrate what God had done. [00:49:39] (21 seconds) #GratitudeForGodsGoodness

Does the pattern of your life celebrate God's pattern? Right, is part of your personal routine or your family routine to place yourself in constant reminder of God's pattern of faithfulness, of consistency, of love, of goodness, grace, kindness, and anchoring truth? [00:52:41] (20 seconds)

Simple prayers together as a family on a daily basis of what did God do today? Let's thank him for it. Simple prayers like that will help you to come back to a place of gratitude no matter what that day has brought you. Because how many of you know God has already been good to you today? You woke up and I'm putting some of you back to sleep, but most of you woke up. He put breath in your lungs. He is still on the throne and Jesus still died for your sins. God has done something for you today. [00:53:23] (33 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the central pattern revealed in biblical structure?

How does God's sovereignty demonstrate in difficult circumstances?

In what ways should traditions reflect God's faithfulness?