TSK · Philippians 2:13

May he make us submissive, so we can follow all his instructions and obey the commandments, rules, and regulations he commanded our ancestors.

In Judah God moved the people to unite and carry out the edict of the king and the officers in keeping with the LORD’s message.

The Exiles Prepare to Return to Jerusalem Then the leaders of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and the Levites– all those whose mind God had stirred– got ready to go up in order to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem.

The king responded,“What is it you are seeking?” Then I quickly prayed to the God of heaven

Give me a desire for your rules, rather than for wealth gained unjustly.

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants.

“But I will make a new covenant with the whole nation of Israel after I plant them back in the land,” says the LORD.“I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. I will be their God and they will be my people.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.

It is written in the prophets,‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who hears and learns from the Father comes to me.

The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them– yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

He did this by predestining us to adoption as his legal heirs through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will–

In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession, since we were predestined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will

For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;

Call to Stand Firm But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

But“when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,

Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters.