In this verse we see that the prophet must speak first to the leaders, then to all the people. The fact God says to speak to the remnant as He often does, is reminding them, and us, that there had been many deaths in all their wanderings in the desert.

God spoke regularly to His prophets throughout the Bible. And He is still doing that today. Although there was a time in history when people believed God had stopped speaking and we must just read what was written in our Bibles. How wrong could that be! God never stops speaking.

Do you remember when you were a baby Christian having your spirit stirred up by the Spirit? Maybe when you were learning to pray out loud or speak out in a meeting. Maybe when you were touched by a point in a message being given from the front of church.

It is good to be reminded that Holy Spirit is with us wherever we are, whatever we are doing. He knows our every thought, good, bad and in between! He is longing to help us through every difficulty, and show us the right direction in whatever we are facing today.

Jesus knew that His presence could be with each one of His followers in a spiritual sense forever. Sometimes it would be more real than others. But they were to stay awake and to look for Him everywhere, knowing that He was there, even if they could not see Him.

Many Christians today have had that experience. They have listened to a message, in church, and suddenly been struck by their guilt, realising why there was something wrong in their lives. Maybe not enough funds for their needs, maybe sickness or confusion about some serious decision, maybe a relationship problem.

We get the picture that The Almighty Lord does not do things by halves. It seems to me, that in these verses He is like a furious parent who decides to withdraw ALL privileges from a wayward child. Many of us have experienced that ourselves or with our own children.

No-one wants to be told that the mess the world is in is our fault! We much prefer to be told that we will be blessed. That God will do things for us personally and all will be well. But sometimes God must go to extremes to get our attention.

Deep in our hearts, most of us know we should put God first in everything, but how many of us really do that? Many of us spend a time in prayer, then rush into our daily activities without giving Him a second thought! He would appreciate more attention than that!

God gave very clear instructions here, they were not to take the wood from any nearby trees, maybe there were not too many nearby, but to go up high and take the stronger timber that had already withstood the weather, and would be better for the construction of His house.